Barryh
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- Former owner of a P T -180 / Kubota BX-1500 .. A Craftsman Yard Tractor / John Deere 140 H-1 / Cub Cadet 108. And now ( Little Red ) a Power Trac 1425
Cabs for winter use
- Thread starter rfinley
- Start date
- Views: 7779
Highridge
Gold Member
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- Feb 12, 2005
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- 331
- Location
- Southeast, MA
- Tractor
- Power-Trac 1430 and Craftsman DGT6000
Very Nice!
Barryh
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- Former owner of a P T -180 / Kubota BX-1500 .. A Craftsman Yard Tractor / John Deere 140 H-1 / Cub Cadet 108. And now ( Little Red ) a Power Trac 1425
Thanks Highridge,
The pictures are not that good, I know they are a little dark. From the front they look distorted from that camera angle. Should have used software to lighten them up a little. Just snapped a few quick ones as I was working on it . I Will take some better ones when I get it completed.
I Still need to attach the old Craftsman lawn tractor snow blade to one of my attachment plates. Looks like old man winter is coming sooner rather than later.
The pictures are not that good, I know they are a little dark. From the front they look distorted from that camera angle. Should have used software to lighten them up a little. Just snapped a few quick ones as I was working on it . I Will take some better ones when I get it completed.
I Still need to attach the old Craftsman lawn tractor snow blade to one of my attachment plates. Looks like old man winter is coming sooner rather than later.
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
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- 58,089
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Be sure to check the clearance at full turn left and right while the unit is in full oscillation and articulation. My arm rests rub on the engine cover at the end of those travels. Therefore, if I would add a cab that enclosed my armrests, even if they touched the armrests, it would be making contact with the engine cover. By the way, that is with the seat fully back.
My thoughts on a cab would be to enclose the front, first, with something solid like sheet metal or a fiberglass panel and then cut out a window. What would be a good, solid window material: plexiglass or lexan? For the sides and rear, I would be happy with soft curtains. They sell some pretty tough tarps that could be used for the fabric and the vinyl for the windows is available at fabric stores. Really, the only time I get damp is if there is a heavy, wet snow that falls past the ROPS and lands on my thighs. Even then, I am usually done with the drive so fast that it doesn't have time to soak my coveralls.
For ventillation there would have to be some kind of fan to keep the fog off the windows. The Giant cooling fan on top of the hydraulic cooler comes to mind. Maybe some sort of fabric sleeve could be directed towards the rear of the cab. The only problem I see with this is the potential to gas your self with exhaust fumes. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Maybe a small, electric fan directed at the front window would do a safer job. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
I still swear I saw a hard cab on a 400 series unit before I purchased ours in 2001. Gosh, I wish I would have saved that. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
My thoughts on a cab would be to enclose the front, first, with something solid like sheet metal or a fiberglass panel and then cut out a window. What would be a good, solid window material: plexiglass or lexan? For the sides and rear, I would be happy with soft curtains. They sell some pretty tough tarps that could be used for the fabric and the vinyl for the windows is available at fabric stores. Really, the only time I get damp is if there is a heavy, wet snow that falls past the ROPS and lands on my thighs. Even then, I am usually done with the drive so fast that it doesn't have time to soak my coveralls.
For ventillation there would have to be some kind of fan to keep the fog off the windows. The Giant cooling fan on top of the hydraulic cooler comes to mind. Maybe some sort of fabric sleeve could be directed towards the rear of the cab. The only problem I see with this is the potential to gas your self with exhaust fumes. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Maybe a small, electric fan directed at the front window would do a safer job. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
I still swear I saw a hard cab on a 400 series unit before I purchased ours in 2001. Gosh, I wish I would have saved that. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
MossRoad
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Yeah, I've seen that one before. The one I saw was similar, with the molded plastic looking panels, but it was on a 400 series unit.
Barryh
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Thanks Moss,
That was the first thing I did, checked the clearance in full turn, and ran it up and down through a ditch it clears nicely.
As you stated I had to move the seat up a ways, but can still get in and out without to much problem. I also put hinges on the back panel behind the seat so I could flip it up with the seat to check the hydraulic tank if needed.
I plan to just use lexan on the front and back for windows along with some light paneling and clear plastic for the side windows. Also thinking of leaving some of the bottom open for ventilation in case I start getting exhaust fumes of any kind. Of course that may be where it gets in. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Thought about installing a small fan for the inside front window. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
That was the first thing I did, checked the clearance in full turn, and ran it up and down through a ditch it clears nicely.
As you stated I had to move the seat up a ways, but can still get in and out without to much problem. I also put hinges on the back panel behind the seat so I could flip it up with the seat to check the hydraulic tank if needed.
I plan to just use lexan on the front and back for windows along with some light paneling and clear plastic for the side windows. Also thinking of leaving some of the bottom open for ventilation in case I start getting exhaust fumes of any kind. Of course that may be where it gets in. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Thought about installing a small fan for the inside front window. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
BillCroasmun
Gold Member
rfinley,
Good luck on your decision. Both machines are great you just need to figure out which one fits you the best!
tracdoc,
It has been a long time since I've seen a post from Beechwood myself. If you get a hold of him see if he will add to this thread with some "lessons learned" on cab building! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Barry,
Wow! Your jumpin' right in with modiying your new toy... uh, I mean tool. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Looks great so far! I am still trying to decide between angle iron framing or 1x2's. I don't have a ROPS if I use angle it could be dual purpose if built right. I tried getting some feedback before on the OEM ROPS dimensions but never hear back from anyone so it will most likely be "built to fit".
I think with the engine located where its at there shouldn't be any fume issues with openings down low. Although that may not help with fogging/condensation since heat will rise and still be "trapped" in the top. Maybe it will still allow enough air movement though only time will tell. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
BTW, how did you connect your 1x2's? Some looked like they were butt joints with two screws in the end and others... well others I couldn't tell at all?!? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Good luck on your decision. Both machines are great you just need to figure out which one fits you the best!
tracdoc,
It has been a long time since I've seen a post from Beechwood myself. If you get a hold of him see if he will add to this thread with some "lessons learned" on cab building! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Barry,
Wow! Your jumpin' right in with modiying your new toy... uh, I mean tool. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Looks great so far! I am still trying to decide between angle iron framing or 1x2's. I don't have a ROPS if I use angle it could be dual purpose if built right. I tried getting some feedback before on the OEM ROPS dimensions but never hear back from anyone so it will most likely be "built to fit".
I think with the engine located where its at there shouldn't be any fume issues with openings down low. Although that may not help with fogging/condensation since heat will rise and still be "trapped" in the top. Maybe it will still allow enough air movement though only time will tell. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
BTW, how did you connect your 1x2's? Some looked like they were butt joints with two screws in the end and others... well others I couldn't tell at all?!? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
BillCroasmun
Gold Member
This is turning into a good cab thread as well. I'd add it to my message of good threads but then we'd have some recursive threading going on... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sorry, bad IT humor... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Barryh
Veteran Member
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Hi Bill,
nice to see you posting again. As far as butt joints nothing that elaborate. Just 1x2 pine with McFeely Square drive screws. ( Here ) holding them together. These screws come with a special driver bit for your cordless drill. Makes it much easier like having an extra hand. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Just want something durable and light to keep the rain snow and wind off of me. Can't wait to see your ROP'S and cab. Hope to see some pictures when you are done.
nice to see you posting again. As far as butt joints nothing that elaborate. Just 1x2 pine with McFeely Square drive screws. ( Here ) holding them together. These screws come with a special driver bit for your cordless drill. Makes it much easier like having an extra hand. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Just want something durable and light to keep the rain snow and wind off of me. Can't wait to see your ROP'S and cab. Hope to see some pictures when you are done.
