My $40 canopy

[drueke]

Luke,
Thanks for the motivation and inspiration! I finally got a round tuit and built a canopy for my BX2370 on Saturday. Canopy came from a shop in the next town over for $50 and maybe another $10 or so in steel - 1" sq tube and a couple angles. Need more practice welding but the black paint covers the sins. So far it hasn't fallen apart.

I know, no pics - it didn't happen so here are a couple.



Thanks again Luke,
Ray.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Nice execution Ray. :thumbsup:

 

[k0ua]

Anything that keeps the sun off of your head is a good thing. While my canopy was "store bought" it was the best $198 I have ever spent.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Looks good from here, Ray :laughing: :thumbsup:

 

[TXHF]

Nearly done. I will have to put it on the tractor to locate where I want the holes for the U-bolts. I got to visit my tractor at the dealer. That backhoe bucket is due in today so we'll be signing for it Saturday morning and headed straight to the land with it. I'll mount the canopy in about 20 minutes and be digging right after. :cool2:

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I especially like the handles. :thumbsup:

I hope the brackets don't obstruct your viability. Probably above your line of sight but it's hard to tell when it's off the tractor.

 

[TXHF]

I especially like the handles. :thumbsup:

I hope the brackets don't obstruct your viability. Probably above your line of sight but it's hard to tell when it's off the tractor.

You are correct, they will be just above my sight line. I've already got ideas for the excess threads on the U-bolts outside the ROPS. Those are just mount points to me! Stuff in TX isn't ever fast is it? In NH, we ordered and they got it in asap. This tractor is taking just over a month from start to driving it away. Yeah, I'm anxious.

Also looking at a BT kit with speakers... marine grade stuff. So that means a custom cell phone holder.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Cut 'lightening holes' in the brackets.. Wont give up strength, but will allow you to at least partially see through them.

The hand holds are nice to attach things too, like a .22 :thumbsup:

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Cut 'lightening holes' in the brackets.. Wont give up strength, but will allow you to at least partially see through them.

The hand holds are nice to attach things too, like a .22 :thumbsup:

Heck, Eric could mount his speakers in them brackets. :drink:

My first college degrees were at Southwestern in Georgetown. Was a fairly serious road biker then. Wherever your property is, I probably road by it on my bike back then. Spent a lot of time riding any road that had been chip-sealed.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Heck, Eric could mount his speakers in them brackets. :drink:

I use bluetooth in ear headphones.. Cuts down the noise and plays music at the same time..

 

[aczlan]

I use bluetooth in ear headphones.. Cuts down the noise and plays music at the same time..

I use those as well, the ones I use are horseshoe-shaped the goes on your neck with a earbud to go up from there into each ear. I put the earbud in each ear and put ear muffs over my ears and that blocks out most of the sound of the tractor. I can still hear enough to tell me if something is wrong however.

Aaron Z

 

[TXHF]

Update on mine here. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382689

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Update on mine here. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/382689-diy-rops-canopy-budget.html

I hadn't realized it was all just bolted. Nice work!

 

[ben21921]

Question, what did you use to anchor the frame to the lid? Thanks

 

[TXHF]

There were slots that I fitted 1x1 bars into then drilled through it all and bolted it using the canopy oem mount points.

 

[ben21921]

Thanks

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Question, what did you use to anchor the frame to the lid? Thanks

Not sure if you were asking me but...

Originally I used pan-head screws into the bottom layer of the canopy (thus keeping the top an intact water barrier). Those screws quickly vibrated out and I had to strap it down when towing because I was worried about them ripping out in the wind.

I have since replaced them with 1/4" bolts that go all the way through the canopy. I sealed with Silicone but some minimal amount of water does still leak by (Rubber washers might be better). I have a few drain holes in the canopie's low spots so no water stagnates inside the plastic form.

I put the shortest possible bolts is with nuts on top. I did it this (likely less water-tight) way because I didn't want to risk hitting my head on the threaded end.

Hope this helps. I is still working well for me.

 

[ben21921]

Thanks