Home built cab

mwb · Nov 4, 2013

I have been wanting a cab for my tractor since before I bought it. I didn't want to spend extra bucks to get one at the time - I would have to move up to a bigger machine so the cost would have been significant. I referenced many builds on this site for ideas and in particular a build by "life on highway 9" (google search will find it for you).

The major design criteria were:
- will use safety glass (not lexan or plexi)
- square tube for rigidity
- four point mounting that allows easy removal and minimal changes to the tractor
- I plan to add heat but I don't care if the cab is not 100% sealed. Some joints may be left open or use rubber matting to cover
- for simplicity the cab will be square side to side, vertical rear window; the windshield will be reclined 10 degrees

Undecided at this point:
- Glass mounting, either adhesive surface mount (automotive) or will use a rubber moulding like highway9 did

Pictures:

Front cab mount uses two brackets bolted to the tractor using two bolts for the loader mount. These mounts allow the cab to be quickly unbolted and raised off vertically.

The rear mounting points uses the ROPS structure. The ROPS itself is not modified, just a bracket that is sandwiched between the base and superstructure.

Frame tubing is 2 x 2 x 0.100 wall. Fender arches are 1 x 2 rectangular. I am fortunate to have a buddy who has the equipment to roll these :thumbsup:

Removal for welding; tack welds held it together enough to remove!

I estimate the current weight to be around 120 pounds. It is extremely rigid

herringchoker · Nov 4, 2013

Nice setup, well thought out. Keep us posted on progress.

Marveltone · Nov 4, 2013

Yay!:applause: I love build threads! You're off to a great start. Keep the updates coming.

Joe

DABSGT · Nov 4, 2013

Good start if I didn't have a cab I would place my order for one of yours. Keep posting.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

chim · Nov 5, 2013

Very nice! Last year about this time I began a cab and very likely sought ideas in the same places you did.

A phrase I'll always remember from Highway9's writeup was "The angle iron had too much flex and my haste resulted in a cab which not only was an embarrassment to myself but my entire family both living and dead."

Keep us posted on your progress. I love to see projects.

Agent Blue · Nov 6, 2013

How did you make the nice bend over the fenders with the 1x2 or 3/4 x 2 tubing ? Looks like a perfect arc.

mwb · Nov 7, 2013

My buddy owns a fab shop and steel warehouse. He has ten foot rolls plus a bunch of other heavy duty toys. The fender arcs are 1 x 2. I have the matching ones for the doors already (1" bigger radius).

Agent Blue · Nov 7, 2013

Pays to have friends with nice tools. What ever kind of tube bender he has it sure does quality even arcs. Your making the rest of us look bad.

GPintheMitten · Nov 7, 2013

Very heavy duty. I think most I have seen have been smsller size tube.

Dr Dave · Nov 7, 2013

Nice work, I like the arches and the windshield lay back angle.

Dave

triangel · Nov 27, 2013

Nice job, I built one for my t1510 new holland last year, I used glass rubber mounted for the windows, a little more costly but better results in the end.I used seals from a garage door under the steel to seal it off.A heater is a must and not to hard to install. I posted my build on this forum so you can check out some of my ideas if they will you help you or not. Thanks and keep up the good job

Evm509 · Nov 30, 2013

New to the sight. I too have been looking and doing the research on a self build cab. I have a kubota L35 so I have the basics in place. Here's the first prototype I came

up with. Hoping to make changes as weather allows..

jack707 · Nov 30, 2013

Looks good!.

GPintheMitten · Nov 30, 2013

Prototype? Looks done to me.

sparc · Dec 2, 2013

Very nice work and good attention to detail in the fitting of the joints, nicely formed bends, and welding. That this will certaintly be one that gets copied by many over the years is the highest form of flatter. Doesn't put food on the table but its nice knowing others think your design is so good they want one too.

On another forum I posted a outfeed table i built for my table saw that people on multiple web forums have linked to and copied or used as a starting point for their own design.

jenkinsph · Dec 3, 2013

Very nice work and is yielding great results. This is the best part of TBN imo.:thumbsup:

LindenBruce · Dec 3, 2013

Yes, I love how you radiused the tubing to match the curve of your fenders. Very cool. I can't wait to see how you do the glass. B.

jim_wilson · Dec 7, 2013

Very nice. I'm always looking at the "built myself a cab" threads because I think sometimes I'd like to build one for my tractor. My biggest hurdle is the fact that it would have be built in such a way that it would make it thru a 7ft high garage door.