sunshade or not

[Hotrocks]

Evening everyone,

Not sure if I should have put this in the buying/pricing thread or not...but here goes with my questions.

Do any of you have the Kubota sunshade or not? What about the non-Kubota sunshade? If so, how do you like it and what are the pros and cons? I think the Kubota shade I want for the B2920 will run about $400.00. Do they get in the way when manuevering through the woods? Is it difficult to use the foldable ROPS with the sunshade attached? Would you spend the money for one? Although I'm 37, the hair on top is pretty thin, so the sun and I aren't necessarily good friends. I always wear some sort of hat, but it does get hot and doesn't offer any shade other than for my head. I realize this is a trivial question compared to some of the more serious issues on here, but just wondering how everyone felt about them before I bought one. Thanks in advance.

 

[ch47dpilot]

I found this $90 alternative at TS [url=http://www.tractorsupply.com/tractor-umbrella-top-0290011]Tractor Umbrella Top - 0290011 | Tractor Supply Company[/URL], I think they also have one that's more like the fiberglass ones but made of canvas but I can't find it on their site

 

[ch47dpilot]

found the other ones for $140 SnowCo JBT-3 Sunshade Complete with Yellow Cover and Universal Mounting Bracket - 2900028 | Tractor Supply Company

 

[JB4310]

I can't comment on the kub model but I have one on my JD and wouldn't be without it. For me it's more of a rain and snow shade.

I have caught it on obstacles but no serious damage, the only downside is it makes the tractor sound significantly loader.

JB

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Sunshades are great if you use the tractor in open areas where its warm. I love mine during haying season but in early spring and late fall I dispise it as you get to a certain temp where it feels nice to be in the sun and you have to wear a heavy jacket under the shade as its considerably colder in the operators station. If your caught out in a rain it helps as well.

Working in and around a woods is no different then with a regular rops, you need to be careful around limbs and on trails make sure the limbs are out of the way. I have found on small limbs the canopy is nice as it picks the limbs up and lets them slide over the canopy instead of hitting me sitting in the seat. I just have to be careful I don't try that with a big limb but so far I have not had any problems with any damage to my canopy and its been on there for 6-8 years. It is a Firebird sunshade if I recall and is a fiberglass unit.

The folding rops still will work but there isn't much point in it as if you set it at a 90 degree angle back the canopy will point straight up taller then what it would have been to begin with. If the rops will fold all the way down then it will lower your height but then you will have a canopy sticking straight out the back of your tractor that you will have to be careful with.

There are some now that are quick release that you can pop on and off fairly easily with just one person. I think Westendorf makes one. As much as I dispise mine in those two time frames of the year I would not be without it on any openstation tractor. It is easy to dress for the cold but very difficult to dress for the heat and still be protected around this equipment/conditions.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Here is my TN with the canopy on it.

 

[Verticaltrx]

This is what I have on my B3200:

It's just a standard sun umbrella, but with a ROPS mount instead of a fender mount. I got it at the local tractor dealer, I don't think TSC carries one like this. About $100 IIRC. It can be tilted fore/aft, slid fore/aft and by pulling one pin the umbrella comes off the frame (handy for trailering.) A clamp secured by two bolts takes the whole frame off in a couple minutes.

 

[johnrex62]

I have a metal canopy on my L3700SU. I never drop my ROPS, so I don't know if it would prevent taking it down or just make it difficult.

It makes my life so much more comfortable in the sun and in the woods it saves my head from limbs every ten feet. :laughing: I use it as limb protection more than anything as I clear out overgrown brush and vines. I would not dream of doing what I do with a fiberglass top because the metal is taking a beating. I would not trust it for FOPS protection against anything more that ten feet higher than my roof or more than three inches thick, but the little dead branches and low hanging branch tips are easily dealt with.

 

[Gedfish]

I have one on my B7510 and find it very useful in the open on hot days. Most I see around are after market units. You'll have problems around trees etc & they are not easy to fold with a ROPS. On balance - worth having.

 

[wawajake]

I made one for my BX2660 for under $100 out of wood and spare sheet metal.
If you are not worried about the safety police, you just drill two quarter inch holes thru the top of your ROPS bolt a 2 x4 or in my case a spare piece of 3 x 3 maple slightly wider than ROPS , then you can hang anything you want from there if roof is light weight, or if you want a windshield or if you want to support the front of the roof, you will find that a three quarter inch thick board when cut to correct width will fit into the slot where your FEL mounts (see my pic) then join ROPs to uprights with two horizontal boards (I used some maple trim 3 inch wide , screw it all together with some simple angle brackets. paint it black......... ta da

After I made up rights and roof work so easy I figured why not have windshield made of plexiglass fit in between and hey I can hang one from the back too.
I leave them on summer and winter to keep me out of rain and sun. Lasted almost three years now.

 

[ch47dpilot]

Looks like a nice setup, but I'd be worried about drilling into the ROPES. From what I understand your not suppose to weld/cut/drill into them for strength reasons. They may have areas you can drill into but I'd check with the local dealer before I would modify a ROPES.

 

[Jay4200]

Looks like a nice setup, but I'd be worried about drilling into the ROPES. From what I understand your not suppose to weld/cut/drill into them for strength reasons. They may have areas you can drill into but I'd check with the local dealer before I would modify a ROPES.

A couple of holes in the center of the beam won't hurt anything. It'll actually make it stronger, technically.

I got an old sunshade for free from a friend - I think it was a generic, it originally went onto a little Massy 2300. I had to modify the frame slightly to get the angle right, but it bolted up to the ROPS perfectly. I haven't mounted the actual sun shade yet, but I noticed that the frame was buzzing from vibration when I fired up my tractor. If I can't stop the buzzing, it's going in the scrap pile.

I wouldn't pay money for one for use just as a sunshade - I like the heat and bail when it's raining, but I plan on using it as the basis for a DIY cab/shield for snowblowing. A snow shield is worth it's weight in gold.

JayC

 

[beppington]

Sunshade = must have, here in hot-@ss, sunny FL anyway.

I made mine out of pressure treated plywood with two 1.5"x1.5" steel tubes supporting it, attached to the ROPS. Then painted the whole thing black with black fence paint from Tractor Supply. Looks quite decent, if I don't mind saying so myself (pats self on back)

 

[thatguy]

I highly recommend getting some sort of sunshade. I have the TSC (snowco/femco) ROPS mounted umbrella that makes sunny days bearable.. You can have your TSC special order it for no extra cost..

ROP Umbrella - 2900044 | Tractor Supply Company

If i had it to do over again, i would probably go with the 'tuff top' though.. I have broken the frame on the umbrella a few times hitting tree limps.. it doesnt take much to break/bend the ribs..


brian

 

[Snapper Head]

I have the Kubota factory hardtop shade on my 3940. I like it, and would not want to spend a day in the seat without it.


Big Al

 

[ZDB]

Dad's MX5100 has the factory sunshade. Build quality looks sound and its a good fit for him mowing fields and in the woods cutting fire wood.

 

[Hotrocks]

It might not be as hot here in KY as other parts of the US, but i'm from Maine originally and when the mercury rises to 95 to 98 degrees and high humidity, I start to melt. I think I would really like a sunshade.

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

[KU Gator]

If you plan to park the tractor in the garage with a standard garage door height, it will not go in with the ROPs in the full up position. I generally keep mine at the 3/4 up position to avoid that oh-no. So that plus the amount of limbs I go under have kept me from considering it. But there are times when an umbrella at least would be nice. So far I have just settled for the broad brimmed floppy hat.

 

[Hotrocks]

If you plan to park the tractor in the garage with a standard garage door height, it will not go in with the ROPs in the full up position. I generally keep mine at the 3/4 up position to avoid that oh-no. So that plus the amount of limbs I go under have kept me from considering it. But there are times when an umbrella at least would be nice. So far I have just settled for the broad brimmed floppy hat.

So your thought is it won't go in a 7ft garage door with the ROPS up and the sunshade on? That would be bad. I need to check and see if the garage door is 7 or 8 ft tall. I do wear the wide brimmed hat and may have to stick with it...I was hoping for a little shade...

 

[Eagle09]

I have the factory Kubota hardtop sunshade on mine, and it was worth every penny. The hot NC sun and humidity has me wanting shade anytime I can get it, plus when it rains it also helps to keep you somewhat dry.