DIY Canopy.

[scootr]

I need a sombrero style canopy here in southern CA. We have lots of sun.
Rops is 44" wide on the MX5200 and I need 60" in front of the rops and I would not mind a few inches behind it too.
I've seen a few here and on google. I wanted to ask members to show off their handy work before I got started.
One reason for the DIY is I have only 3 " clearance to get into the barn, which is a must. And 2 is $400-1000.00 for a small square of shade ! AYKM ? lol
I'm thinking of purchasing a sheet of Aluminum and welding up some supports. Buddy has a big break so I can bend the sides down on the metal top. Beyond this I have no plans.
Fan kits? Lights? yea it all sounds good.
Show us what you got. And thank you for having me here. I look forward to your knowledge

 

[old and tired]

Bolt on canopy using a golf cart top onto an old standard L2800

Sorry the photos uploaded backwards.... So when I started this project I thought I would be welding up brackets. As I progress and figured out how to fabricate and assemble it, bolting it all together was simpler and easier. I did cut and drilled metal to attach it all together. Will see...

www.tractorbynet.com

mine... find a golf cart top that will fit and build it under your ROPs

 

[Root Cause]

Hustle 2 cheap sets of bed rails on C'list.
Get enough to build the frame and the supports.

With that low profile, you can hustle what material you can find.
I would think you could come out under $150 with a little patience.
If your friend has a brake, then he probably has all you need to finish it.
Good luck.

 

[5030]

Should have just ponied up for a cab tractor with climate control....

 

[rScotty]

I used one of these from the JD dealer. They still make them, surprisingly good quality & price.

 

[Doorman63]

$50 golf cart canopy
Scrap 3/4” EMT
3” square u bolts
Misc fasteners

 

[scootr]

Nice job old&tired. I have access to a golf cart roof. Like your under the rops installation. I have a height restriction and that would be a good solution.
Saw a tractor on CL with a street sign canopy. That got me thinking a piece of aluminum with the sides bent over 20º for a few extra inches of shade

 

[2manyrocks]

I used a thick piece of aluminum for my L2501 canopy top because that's what I had.

My worst mistake was I only have attachment points for the aluminum top at the four corners of the frame. It rattles when I go over bumps. I'd recommend having several attachment points and maybe consider some sort of cushioning between the aluminum sheet and your frame.

One thing you want to avoid is having any sharp edges on the underside that you could cut your head when getting on/off your tractor or cut you in the event of a rollover. I don't know what clearances you have to work with. I'd built it with the mindset that if the tractor flipped, is the canopy going to hurt me and how can I avoid that?

The other consideration is aluminum is relatively soft and can be torn by branches. So if you have an unsupported portion of aluminum that a branch could snag, it might tear. This is why my top is flush with the metal tube frame.

My canopy top ended up being so wide in proportion to the operator's station that it doesn't matter that the top is flush with the frame.

 

[scootr]

2manyrocks - could be the name of my place too.
In that case you should be wearing a 5 point harness.
Good advice, multiple attachment points and some rubber material in those attachments.

 

[Mrsig]

I use the Rhinohide Canopy it is fully adjustable. You can set it up under or over your ROPS.
Tractor Canopy - Rhinohide Canopies