New PT425 Owner, Heated Cab?

[DCWhitley]

My thanks to all who contribute to this site. Between being an owner of a CAT 216 Skidsteer for 5 years and all of your comments, I sold the skidsteer and purchased a PT425 with a bucket, brush cutting mower, snow blade, snow blower, forks, box blade and mini-hoe with thumb. The CAT was a great machine for me, but with the heavy lifting done it was time to move on. In less than 1 week, I have 12 hours on the machine and have used every attachment but the mower(we still have 2 feet of snow on the ground). My only complaint is no cab w/heat since I will be using it a lot for snow removal in the winter and it gets cold up here in New Hampshire. Does anyone have plans for any kind of cab? I've notice some very clever people on this site and thought you might have some ideas.

 

[KentT]

Welcome to the "brotherhood"...

A couple of folks have built cabs for PT-418s. I'm not sure, but I think there was one waaay back in the archives for a 422 or 425, but I'm not sure. Sadly, I don't have much luck locating things (even my own posts) in the archives any more, since I can't find a way to search them...

 

[Rivco]

Welcome;
Yes it is possible to build a winter cab with a heater for the green Pt's

 

[ponytug]

I don't know if this helps, but I use the advanced search function, click on the power trac forum, and ask for a display by posts, which gives one the relevant posts. e.g. slope degree oil turns up your earlier posts on wanting a kohler engine specifically because it had the 25 degree slope rating...

All the best,

Peter

 

[DCWhitley]

Thanks guys. Rivco - that cab looks professional what materials did you use? I have a ROPS on my 425 I was thinking of incorporating, but I think that just complicates things. Do you have any other pictures of your Cab and was it removable for the summer?

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN and congratulations on your purchase.

You could look into a golf car soft cab. It would probably just lay over the canopy on your PT425.

One thing to watch for with a hard cab is the area where the seat nears the engine cover. I have arm rests on my 2001 model year PT425 and at extreme angles of articulation and oscillation, the arm rests rub the engine cover. So, something would have to be done about that if the current models have the same dimensions there.

 

[KentT]

Welcome to TBN and congratulations on your purchase.

I have arm rests on my 2001 model year PT425 and at extreme angles of articulation and oscillation, the arm rests rub the engine cover. So, something would have to be done about that if the current models have the same dimensions there.

Mine do also, now that you mention it...

But, my tractor is essentially the same vintage as yours... within a matter of months, as I recall.

 

[SpringHollow]

i have always hated having a glass windshield in front of me when driving a tractor - the glare etc. drives me nuts. But then I love winter and just dress warm and have some great seat time plowing, hauling firewood, etc.

Gets pretty cold here.

ken

 

[duane]

DC,

Could you post your experience with the snowblower. I converted a single stage for use with the PT, but found it lacked enough PTO horsepower.

 

[DCWhitley]

Duane - experience is very limited, only had 3 inches of heavy wet snow but it seemed to handle it OK. Need more time and snow storms, but hopefully not this spring!

 

[Rivco]

[QUOTE

One thing to watch for with a hard cab is the area where the seat nears the engine cover. I have arm rests on my 2001 model year PT425 and at extreme angles of articulation and oscillation, the arm rests rub the engine cover. So, something would have to be done about that if the current models have the same dimensions there.[/QUOTE]

That's a good point. When I designed the cab it took several trial and error templates to come up with a solution to avoid the rear of the cab from hitting the engine cover when fully articulated & oscillated. I ended up having to sacrifice the full seat slide back ( and I like the seat all the way back like I'm driving a stretch limo ) adjustment to half the travel in order for the cab to work. ..... But flutter me timbers...it worked out fine.

 

[AndrewB]

DC,

Could you post your experience with the snowblower. I converted a single stage for use with the PT, but found it lacked enough PTO horsepower.

My brand new 425 arrived in December, this winter. The first attachment I ever used was the snowblower. After I replaced the master link when the chain came apart (presumably mis-assembled in the factory), it work truly great. If I didn't force the speed, I could easily go through 2 foot deep drifts in one pass. The second stage throws the snow plenty far.

 

[Rivco]

Thanks guys. Rivco - that cab looks professional what materials did you use? I have a ROPS on my 425 I was thinking of incorporating, but I think that just complicates things. Do you have any other pictures of your Cab and was it removable for the summer?

The cab was constructed using 1/2" double faced MDO board for the cab body, and 3/4" birch plywood ribs for the torsion box pillars & structural parts. All the parts were glued and screwed to form a very strong uni-body. I used extruded aluminum trim componets, and 1/8" lexan for the windows. The completed cab weight was approx. 125 #. It could be removed for summer use. I installed a small roof vent, but I should have made the windows so they could open

 

[DCWhitley]

Thanks Rivco. Great pictures, they have given a great place to start. I'll try to post things as I get started, but that won't happen until lat June at best.

 

[JD-Beach]

DCWhitley, welcome to the PT family.

Rivco, ... nice craftsmanship, Thanks for sharing your cab project.

I'm not sure if this link will work, ... hope so. ... It seems that the Italians have a nice cab for their tractors.

http://www.antoniocarraro.com/index.php?lang=en&areaid=3&menuid=11&countryid=638&useid=1&itemid=5