Custom Tractor Canopy

[SaintPe]

I have done a few homemade canopy tops over the years and here's a couple tips I learned that might be helpful. First, the easiest tops I made for the simple act of blocking the sun and with no regard to high style were made out of scrap pieces of metal barn siding.It was easy to cut to size, usually free and damage easily repaired by a new piece of steel.

Second, all canopies vibrate through the tractor and the sound can be really annoying. For insulators, I had the best luck with cutting piece out of the sidewall of an old rubber floor mat. I used a 1 1/4" (approx) hole saw for a clean and easy cut and a Harbor Freight hole saw punch to make the center hole for the mounting bolt. It worked great because I could stack a few if needed.

For the bigger spaces or heavier steel, rear shock absorber bushings from an older car or truck with leaf springs worked great. They were much thicker so fit into places where that was needed. Just an FYI here.

Good idea. Thank you

 

[5030]

All that work and I have this.......

 

[SaintPe]

All that work and I have this.......

Coooool

 

[5030]

Cannot justify spending the time and materials making one when there are commercially available options that are inexpensive, easily mountable and look good. No matter what you come up with, the commercially available one looks better and works better and I don't have the time to spend trying to improve on a proven design anyway. I have better things to do.

 

[Tinhack]

The commercially available tops look like pup-tents for a girl's bike. I think I can do better.

 

[5030]

The commercially available tops look like pup-tents for a girl's bike. I think I can do better.

Whatever blows your dress up....

 

[Richard]

The lights and radio will be nice to have as well, so not too crazy with the customization

Love the lights....been thinking on adding something similar to that on my backhoe. For sound though.... I'm not feeling it yet. This infers that you'll not be wearing any hearing protection. (in my case...) I have to because all tractors we have and my backhoe can get loud. They all have straight pipes though they have a turbo which does muffle the sound a bit.

I use some in-ear buds (the kind that wrap around your ear like a musician might use) and then OVER those, I have some over-ear protection.

Cuts out most of the tractor noise, though you can still hear it so if something clangs, you can tell, it's just not as blaring. Also then, you can hear what you're listening to much better since the ambient noise is reduced.

I honestly feel almost naked if I don't have both of those stuck on my head when I'm running the machines. About the only time I'll not have them is if I'm simply moving machine from parking area to the house to fuel up or tinker on.....otherwise it's sound (music) IN my ears and protection OVER my ears.

 

[coobie]

The commercially available tops look like pup-tents for a girl's bike. I think I can do better.

Funny stuff.5030 has all of the best equipment on this site.Just ask him.

 

[SaintPe]

Cannot justify spending the time and materials making one when there are commercially available options that are inexpensive, easily mountable and look good. No matter what you come up with, the commercially available one looks better and works better and I don't have the time to spend trying to improve on a proven design anyway. I have better things to do.

Cooool

 

[SaintPe]

Love the lights....been thinking on adding something similar to that on my backhoe. For sound though.... I'm not feeling it yet. This infers that you'll not be wearing any hearing protection. (in my case...) I have to because all tractors we have and my backhoe can get loud. They all have straight pipes though they have a turbo which does muffle the sound a bit.

I use some in-ear buds (the kind that wrap around your ear like a musician might use) and then OVER those, I have some over-ear protection.

Cuts out most of the tractor noise, though you can still hear it so if something clangs, you can tell, it's just not as blaring. Also then, you can hear what you're listening to much better since the ambient noise is reduced.

I honestly feel almost naked if I don't have both of those stuck on my head when I'm running the machines. About the only time I'll not have them is if I'm simply moving machine from parking area to the house to fuel up or tinker on.....otherwise it's sound (music) IN my ears and protection OVER my ears.

This is more of a fun project that I started during the cold rainy weekends in the south.

The radio is an extra radio and speakers from an order I made for a vehicle a year ago. I usually use Bluetooth headphones for the same reason as you.

Many times I've been at the property it would've been nice to have some music playing while I take a break and eat of cut some logs, wait for some fill etc.

 

[SaintPe]

Funny how a project I posted for myself upset some snowflakes. Thought Y'all would be tougher than to let some lights and speakers hit ya in the feelings.

 

[5030]

Me, I never have enough lights. I drive on country roads after sundown often and I like to be seen. Why I have amber rotating beacons, LED high intensity lights, 4 way flashers and rear view mirrors. I go a lot slower than cars do.

I can do without a radio. My cab tractor has a stereo that I never listen to. More of a Distraction than anything else.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Funny how a project I posted for myself upset some snowflakes. Thought Y'all would be tougher than to let some lights and speakers hit ya in the feelings.

Don't worry about them.... I am still waiting for for some update pics of the finish work. I think it is an awesome project!

 

[BackRoad]

Almost 3 weeks...any progress?!?

 

[SaintPe]

Got the fiberglass resin done and now to apply th Bondo and sand smooth. Almost done!

 

[old and tired]

Not trying to hijack your thread but do you have any plans to try to apply any sound deadening underneath??

I put a golf cart top on mine and it's noticeably louder under the canopy... Even with hearing protection!

 

[SaintPe]

Not trying to hijack your thread but do you have any plans to try to apply any sound deadening underneath??

I put a golf cart top on mine and it's noticeably louder under the canopy... Even with hearing protection!

Honestly haven't considered it to be louder, but I guess it would keep the sound in more. I might have to turnup the radio louder!!

I was thinking of taking it to get rhino sprayed to water proof it and seal it once done.

 

[Bearsixty7]

Honestly haven't considered it to be louder, but I guess it would keep the sound in more. I might have to turnup the radio louder!!

I was thinking of taking it to get rhino sprayed to water proof it and seal it once done.

What do you think it weighs now? Rhino coating it will add a lot of weight, may need stronger supports.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Can I ask .. is that carpet you are glassing over?

 

[SaintPe]

What do you think it weighs now? Rhino coating it will add a lot of weight, may need stronger supports.

I'll have to see. Probably 30-40lbs at the moment. I'm thinking of doing normal style supports then adding two braces, one on each side to connect to the front of the top to give it more support