Homemade Canopy

[toddwulf]

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifVery nice. With over 16 days of plus 100 degree's out here in Northern CA., I think it's time to do the same to my baby blue 1920. Thanks for sharing.

 

[reedfish1954]

I'm going to use your ideas and make me one out of steel to replace the plastic factory orange top on my Kubota which has broken chunks out of it from tree limbs. Nice job again.

 

[Camo]

Well, my car luggage carrier conversion canopy is finally done.

 

[Tig]

Neat idea Camo. Looks good. You should start a new thread and tell us the story behind the idea.

 

[Mighty Dodge]

Camo

That's exactly what I'm working on now. You beat me to it. Looks good.

M.D.

 

[Camo]

Neat idea Camo. Looks good. You should start a new thread and tell us the story behind the idea.

Not much of a story really. A member on another site actually mentioned it, and had a full luggage carrier lid on his tractor. I looked at it and thought how much it would look like a purchased canopy with just a little trimming. So I located a used luggage carrier locally that someone was giving away, and bought 116" of 1" square tubular steel, 4 u-bolts to go around the ROPS, and some misc. plates from around my shop. About $80 in steel, and about 4 hours of my time to build a frame and trim the lid. The sizing was perfect!!!! it makes it to the end of my steering wheel. Will make my work alot more comfortable.

 

[digicamnut]

Nice work!

 

[Camo]

Thanks!

 

[mjncad]

Well, my car luggage carrier conversion canopy is finally done.

That's a great use for the old roof top luggage carrier.

 

[mjncad]

NH1520 and others:

The only thing I can suggest for any canopy is to add a set of front posts to it. No matter how sturdy the frame, and how tightly its bolted to the ROPS; there is a heck of a lot of cantilever in every canopy design whether factory or home made. Mine bounced around and made a lot of noise with every good sized bump I hit. Adding front posts got rid of the bounce, vibration and noise.

Though I doubt nh1520's canopy mounts will break, having an 80 pound roof hanging out there like that could be dangerous should there be a structural failure and the canopy decides to get up close and personal with your body.

In any case, having a roof over your head in the sun makes a canopy well worth having.

 

[Camo]

This roof probably weighs in at around 10-12 lbs, so the weight is not nearly what a metal one would be. On a smaller tractor like this one, space is at a premium for me at 6'2" and 275lb, so I solved the support factor by triangulating the rear corners. As in any fab project, I'll check it out with use, and add any changes down the road as needed.

 

[Camo]

Some more pics I took for those wanting ideas.

 

[bjcsc]

Though I doubt nh1520's canopy mounts will break, having an 80 pound roof hanging out there like that could be dangerous should there be a structural failure and the canopy decides to get up close and personal with your body.

Maybe he'll check in and tell us how it has worked for him over the past 5 years since he made this thread...

 

[Camo]

Hopefully by then I'll be posting pics of my new Kubota 3030 with a full heated and A/C cab on it!!!!!

 

[nh15201]

Hey you guys, sorry I have not been around in awhile. I guess I just got lost somewhere with too many projects around the house and a new job since I lost mine old one after 29 years with the same company. Anyway I'm back - but as nh15201 since I couldn't get any reponse from the admins after I lost my password (old age I guess).

My homemade canopy has been giving me excellent service with no attention to it since I installed it. The wing gussets clamped to the ROPS and welded to the frame has stood the test of time with no undue vibration or cracking. At the time I thought I may have overdone the gussets size wise - but now I'm glad I did. I do get some vibration once in a while - but nothing real annoying. The steel canopy has really saved my noggin' a couple times from limbs. The AL diamond plate from an earlier post would also be an excellent choice for a canopy - lighter than the 1/8" steel I used and ever needs painted.

I talked the little lady into letting get a golf cart and I've been having a ball customizing the little '96 Club Car gasser. I've made a couple bumpers for it and a bed / seat combo for summer outings. It's a little work horse - plus wifey likes it for landscaping tasks pulling the yard cart.

I have a 60" rear discharge finish mower (Landpride FDR16) ordered for spring. I've read the posts and think the rear discharge is the way to go. I'll post back on my experiences with it and I won't wait five years either LOL. Boy, how times flies. It's good to be back.

 

[bjcsc]

Now that's an update! Good to hear it's still working out. When I read this thread I found it interesting that you're from Dubois. I'm originally from St. Marys and most of my extended family is still there, including my uncle who lives in Treasure Lake...Welcome back!

 

[nh15201]

Many thanks for the welcome back. I'm now working as a Plant Manager for a family owned business headquartered in St. Marys (Penn Pallet, Inc.). I've got many friends that live at Treasure Lake. Small world....

 

[QRTRHRS]

Nice work on those canapy's. I always kind of wanted to pick up a hood from a Caddie or something similar for one of my tractors.

 

[bjcsc]

Many thanks for the welcome back. I'm now working as a Plant Manager for a family owned business headquartered in St. Marys (Penn Pallet, Inc.). I've got many friends that live at Treasure Lake. Small world....

Yeah, I know where that is. My grandparents still live on Brussells St.. My Uncle's name is Mike Christoff. Chances are your friends may know him...

yep, small world...