Homemade Cab?

[TMcD_in_MI]

Has anyone ever built his own tractor cab? It's getting mighty cold out there in the tractor seat, but I don't really have a thousand dollars or more to buy a tractor cab. I'm thinking about welding up a frame out of small square tubing and having a local canvas shop make a cover for it, or maybe use 1/4 " plywood. If I use plywood, I don't know about the windows. Any ideas? Plexiglass? It won't be fancy, but if it keeps the wind off, I'll be happy.

Tom

 

[BobInMN]

I have the same problem with my B2710. What I have been thinking of is a heat houser. I know that Tractor Supply sold them a couple of years ago. I don't know if they are still available now. If I remember correctly they were about $300.

 

[rockinmywaypa]

I went to a local auto glass replacement dealership and got a roll of 20 ga plastic. It's what's used for rear windows in convertables and boat cabins. It was 54" wide and I got 9 ' for 25 dollars. should be enough for 4 windows, I hope. I'll use some 1/2 in rod I got from work for frames and sandwich the plastic between flat stock, either plywood or 1/8 steel. It was going to be done first of dec. but something came up and I haven't got back to it. Oh yeah, It attaches to a sunshade I made last summer for a roof. Right now I'am trudging through about 18" of snow to get to the barn so I'd better get back to it soon. Heat will have to come from a heat houser type cover from the motor back to the front of the cab.

 

[DDT]

I have done it for a JD 4400. Do a shearch for
Cab in progress
#222423 - 01/04/03 08:33 PM in this form
I do not know how to paste it here. Any other questions just holler.

 

[moeh1]

I am working on a homemade canopy this winter. I was hoping to put some sides on it later for a semi-cab. I was thinking of plexiglas, and then putting windows in the front and rear like you see put into conversion vans. They usually tilt out for ventilation, and are safety glass, so I could run wipers on them without scratching. Hope you beat me to it and post some pictures!

 

[Tractors4u]

Here is DDT's Cab.

 

[TMcD_in_MI]

Thanks DDT and Brent. I found the thread on DDT's excellent cab. That's what I would like, but probably not what I will end up with. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif It gives me something to shoot for, though, and I really enjoyed looking at the outstanding work.

Tom

 

[TMcD_in_MI]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am working on a homemade canopy this winter. I was hoping to put some sides on it later for a semi-cab. I was thinking of plexiglas, and then putting windows in the front and rear like you see put into conversion vans. They usually tilt out for ventilation, and are safety glass, so I could run wipers on them without scratching. )</font>

Sounds like a good idea, Marty. I will put those on my list.

Tom

 

[TMcD_in_MI]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I went to a local auto glass replacement dealership and got a roll of 20 ga plastic. It's what's used for rear windows in convertables and boat cabins. )</font>

I was wondering where to get that stuff. Thanks for the tip.

Tom

 

[TMcD_in_MI]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have the same problem with my B2710. What I have been thinking of is a heat houser. I know that Tractor Supply sold them a couple of years ago. I don't know if they are still available now. If I remember correctly they were about $300. )</font>

Bob, is a heat houser just a heater, or does it include some kind of enclosure for the driver?

Tom

 

[JimR]

Bed frame side rails will give you plenty of strength if you need some cheap steel. People always have these laying around. You can pick up a sheet of steel for the roof. Flat stock from HD or Lowes will sufice to make your door. Hinges are easy to get. Try to find a set of lift off style so you can remove the door easily. All you need now is the plastic for the windshield and 4 sides.

 

[DDT]

Thanks Brent,
I could not figure out how to do that.
Tom, To bad you did not holler a mounth ago, the cab was for sale and got no feed back so I gave it to the guy that bought my tractor

 

[PILOON]

Has anyone ever built his own tractor cab? It's getting mighty cold out there in the tractor seat, but I don't really

What helped me--
Once I welded up my frame I went to a sheet metal shop and had them cut pannels from galvanized sheet stock for roof and sides which I then fasten to the square tubing frame with HD sheet metal screws. (cheating)
For the roof I built in rain gutters on the sides and over extender the front and rear by about 3" to keep rain from dripping down over the windows.

For windows I went to a scrap yard and obtained old school bus windows complete with the rubber trim and simply cut out the outline with my jig saw. That worked great.

For the rear window I installed hinges at the top to allow opening upwards and to easily remouve in the summer,

Old school busses also have heaters under some of the back seats that are just right to heat the tractor.
They are about 6"X6" and 4" thick.
I modified mine by installing a 4"x4" computer muffin fan to push the hot air.
Plumbing was accomplished using 1/2" standard copper pipe and rad hose between the cab and the motor.
Experimentation found that installing the heater at top right front section of the cab space, pointing downwards was best.

Because of the front and rear roof overhangs I rarely, if ever, use the wipers, even when snow blowing.

The school bus windows are large enough that they cover almost 80% of the pannels giving me great visibility.(plus they are safety glass and cheap!)

 

[TMcD_in_MI]

PILOON - Lots of good help - thanks. I never would have thought of school bus windows. If they are like the ones I spent many years looking through, the top half slides up and down for ventilation. Great idea.

DDT - Sorry I missed out on your cab. It was a goody.

Tom

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

This is what I did for $125, works great. Just sold the set up since Santa brought a Sims Cab /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

web page

 

[GerardC]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Has anyone ever built his own tractor cab? It's getting mighty cold out there in the tractor seat, but I don't really

What helped me--
Once I welded up my frame I went to a sheet metal shop and had them cut pannels from galvanized sheet stock for roof and sides which I then fasten to the square tubing frame with HD sheet metal screws. (cheating)
For the roof I built in rain gutters on the sides and over extender the front and rear by about 3" to keep rain from dripping down over the windows.

For windows I went to a scrap yard and obtained old school bus windows complete with the rubber trim and simply cut out the outline with my jig saw. That worked great.

For the rear window I installed hinges at the top to allow opening upwards and to easily remouve in the summer,

Old school busses also have heaters under some of the back seats that are just right to heat the tractor.
They are about 6"X6" and 4" thick.
I modified mine by installing a 4"x4" computer muffin fan to push the hot air.
Plumbing was accomplished using 1/2" standard copper pipe and rad hose between the cab and the motor.
Experimentation found that installing the heater at top right front section of the cab space, pointing downwards was best.

Because of the front and rear roof overhangs I rarely, if ever, use the wipers, even when snow blowing.

The school bus windows are large enough that they cover almost 80% of the pannels giving me great visibility.(plus they are safety glass and cheap!) )</font>

Photos would be great! Do you have any you could post? G

 

[PILOON]

OK, This will be first time I try images here,
this is the overall view

 

[PILOON]

Wiew of the windshield using school bus window that is mounted on a sheet of 16g galvanized metal and attached to the 1.5 X 1.5 sq tubing frame.

 

[PILOON]

View of rear window, again on galvanized sheet stock, but here you'll note that I had flanges formed on sides and bottom and that the top is attached with 2 hinges to allow ventilation on hot (rare up here) days.

 

[PILOON]

This pic showes how the frame sits on the tractor (MT189D) and relationship of windows etc.
The entry door is made up using bed side rails and hinged at front with a simple lever latch type affair to keep closed.

Bothe the door and the opposite side pannel is that 'convertable car top' plastic material that is attached using 1/2 round alu and sheet metal screws every ft or so.

Note how I trimmed some 1" MDF stock to fill in gaps around the fenders.