Who's got a Canopy?

icat · Jul 18, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

My price was $300 even - no shipping since I'm picking it up from the dealer. I have to see if I can get the Ag Exemption for the tax - wouldn't that be sweet! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I looked estensively yesterday for the Wells Ag web site. If they have one it must be top secret. I spend most of the day on the web and can find just about anything in a few minutes. Gave up on the Wells Ag site after looking for over an hour. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Gary_in_Indiana · Jul 18, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

 (The dealer said that) they have had issues with (fiberglass canopies) being destroyed when the tractors they were on were being trailered on the road 

That's something I never considered. The reality is that while my tractor barely exceeds 13 mph on it's own power it can easily break 70 on my trailer. That's a lot of wind force for anything extending out a yard or more and only supported at two points.

I've had customers with issues over truck sun visors vibrating and they only extend out a foot or so. A canopy looks like a lot more of a potential source of problems than the sun visors would be. Has anyone had any experience with trailering a tractor with a canopy and the movement the wind would cause?

Golfgar4 · Jul 18, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

Hi Gary!

Certainly I can't speak from experience about trailering a tractor, although I'm certainly interested in learning about the topic! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I just wanted to mention that I remember seeing a picture posted sometime back of a hold down someone (I don't remember who - sorry! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif) added to their canopy. All he did was attach a screen door kind of handle on the top of the canopy at the very front edge and parallel to the edge. As I recall, he did add some reinforcement on the under side. Then he just ran a tie down strap through the handle down to some point on the tractor and tied it down. He said that he trailered his tractor a couple times a month on the interstate, and he'd never had a problem by doing this. Again, as I recall, he said that he figured out to do this the hard way - after losing his first canopy from the wind!

Hope this helps! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Jul 18, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

I trailered my rig many times for distances of 8 to 10 miles, speeds up to 55 mph, only one 200 mile round trip one day, speeds up to 70 mph, and one 100 mile round trip (there one day and back the next), with speeds up to 60 mph; never worried about the canopy and never had a problem.

BB_TX · Jul 18, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

Keith - In Texas, getting the ag tax exemption is easy. Just tell the dealer that it is for farm use and tax exempt. He will not require any proof. He will, however, have you fill out and sign a form where you will state that it is for farm use. Then he is covered. It is probably not likely that you would ever be checked for just a few dollars, but it would be possible that some tax guy might show up at your door some day to check you out.
If you really feel you qualify (and I am not sure exactly what you must do to truly qualify), you can claim the exemption on anything you buy which may be related to farm use. Even building materials from HD. I have 24 acres in ag exemption, so anything I buy related to using that land, I claim the tax exemption. I bought a steering wheel spinner knob last weekend for my tractor from TSC. Lady said "farm exempt?". I said "yep". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

monkeybreath · Jul 18, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

More info re the folding / removable canopy I referred to in an earlier post: It is $229, heavy canvas to match the tractor color, folds or can easily be taken off. I don't have a picture. If you ever need to replace the canvas, it is about $50 for a new cover. Another advantage, per the dealer is that the angles of the canopy are adjustable so can tilt and so on to adjust for the sun. . .

4229

icat · Jul 18, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

( Keith - In Texas, getting the ag tax exemption is easy. Just tell the dealer that it is for farm use and tax exempt. He will not require any proof. He will, however, have you fill out and sign a form where you will state that it is for farm use. Then he is covered. It is probably not likely that you would ever be checked for just a few dollars, but it would be possible that some tax guy might show up at your door some day to check you out.
If you really feel you qualify (and I am not sure exactly what you must do to truly qualify), you can claim the exemption on anything you buy which may be related to farm use. Even building materials from HD. I have 24 acres in ag exemption, so anything I buy related to using that land, I claim the tax exemption. I bought a steering wheel spinner knob last weekend for my tractor from TSC. Lady said "farm exempt?". I said "yep". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Oh I qualify. The tractor was already purchased Ag Exempt so they have the paperwork on file. Honest guys, it really is a farm!

On a side note, we lost our Ag Exemption on the land we just bought when the title changed hands. I had a letter allowing me to protest, but when I researched the land exemption I found that one of the requirements was that you had to earn a majority of your income from farm related activities on that land. And boys, I ain't even close! Not only that, but I suspect that it will be at least 10 years before we're out there full time - and I have no intention of quiting my day job! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also noted that if the land changes classification back to non-exempt, the owner of the land has to pay the taxes that were exempt for the past several years! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Not sure how that works when the land changes hands, but I figured it was better NOT to stir up a rukus on the tax issue for now. If I reapply later I have to have been using the land for farm related purposes for the past three years. They kinda got ya coming and going. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

rancar · Jul 19, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

 Has anyone had any experience with trailering a tractor with a canopy and the movement the wind would cause? 

My JD 4710 with Bucktop canopy previously shown was delivered by trailer with canopy installed. Dealer was located 75 miles away and traveled part of way on I-90 at interstate speeds. Tractor was trailered in backward position, thus, minimizing wind forces on canopy. Tractor and canopy arrived safely at my place with no damage to the canopy. Like I said, this Bucktop canopy is a very well built unit.

...Bob

jinman · Jul 19, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

Keith, here is a very good reference for the collection of sales tax in Texas. The requirements are clearly called out in the directive and even an old non-lawyer type like me can understand most of the requirements. I thought that since there are so many TBNers from Texas, that this might be some interesting reading; especially the list of specific items that can be exempted. Please note that if you Armor All your tractor, it is not exempt under any circumstance. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Texas Farm Exemption for Sales Tax

CountryBoy · Jul 19, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

( Like I said, this Bucktop canopy is a very well built unit. )

I can agree to that,darn nice canopy. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Gary_in_Indiana · Jul 19, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

Is there a website for buck top canopies?

monkeybreath · Jul 19, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

In my search for easily removeable canopies, I came accross some site which referenced buck top canopies, could have been a retailer, not sure now because I was really all over the place. But I know they are out there. I searched using "tractor canopies" - a significant number of hits. The only site I recall was FEMCO I think. I will be looking some more and will e-mail you if I find anything. I am looking for one which is easily removeable because I want the open air- view - sun for much of the year and only want the canopy for July - Aug. Though if metal - fiberglass canopies are not that difficult to take off and reinstall I suppose I could do that too. My dealer will provide an easily removeable one, but because I have not seen it yet, I want to keep looking around for what is out there - and there are a number of options - by the way, some are called sun shades.

rancar · Jul 19, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

 Is there a website for buck top canopies? 

See web link below.

...Bob

Firebird BuckTop Canopy

Soundguy · Jul 20, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

Not sure why he did it.. but after I sat in a tractor and reaced up and was able to flex the canopy up and down 3 inches or so, I knew I wasn't having one.. .. I can do pull-ups on my metal one.... just a safety feeling thing.

Soundguy

icat · Jul 20, 2003

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

Jim,
Thanks for the list. I've added it to my growing collection of e-information! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Zephrant · Feb 4, 2009

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

Old thread I found, but here is the current web site for Bucktop canopies. They are made by Weidmann Brothers, and my dealer has them for $475 now.

I'm going to drive down and take a look at them soon.
Weidmann Brothers Canopies

wolc123 · Feb 4, 2009

The canopy shown does not look like it would function well, being far too small. I made a much larger one myself with a wooden frame, canvas cover, and metal supports similar to those on the one pictured, that it is very effective. The canvas/wood construction is also very light weight and I can easily remove it myself in around 5 minutes if I need to fold down the rollbar to acess areas with low clearance. I have had the canvass/wood canopy on my tractor for four years now and it has been surprisingly durable needing no repairs over that time. It took me about about (2) hours to build from materials I had laying around so it did not cost me anything other than time. A good canopy should be about 50% longer, twice as deep, and about 25% wider than the one shown in that photo. Under my canopy I am nearly as comfortable under the blazing sun on a hot summer day as I am in an airconditioned cab, even when the sun is not directly overhead.

gman1772 · Feb 4, 2009

Yikes, I bought a bright tread aluminum canopy for my my JD5203 here in Katy,TX last year for 320.00. I bet it has not gone up since then and is a lot more substantial than fiberglass (ie:it gets hit with objects occasionally). The JD dealer is Brookside in Houston. You can google it, I do not have it bookmarked.

warhammer · Feb 4, 2009

Re: Who\'s got a Canopy?

I have a Kioti canopy on my DK45 which is made of some kind of plastic. Its held up well so far but almost all of the work the tractor has been used for is out in open fields or sparsely treed areas.
The cost of the sunshade was amortized the first time I mowed 30 acres in August in Texas.

Warhammer

icat said:
When I cut I wear a long sleeve t-shirt and a cowboy hat. But I'm still getting a bit crispy on the neck and face. So, looks like it's time for a canopy. I called the local dealer and he trashed the fiberglass units pretty bad (which is what I thought I wanted). He can get a unit from Wells Ag that is a diamond plateded steel unit for $350. Do any of you have one of these? If so, how do you like it? Does anyone else have a brand they recommend?

I found this on the web...

Looks nice and the price is right ($315 for the painted steel). Delivery is not included though, but they're in Waco which is a couple of hours drive from Houston - so I guess I could go and pick one up. This is a Perry Mfg. unit - anyone have one of these?