World's 1st Telescoping Canopy?

[Z RENCH]

Just built a telescopic canopy for my CT335 to still allow use of rollbar and to be able to squeeze in my7 foot tall garage. Just wondering if I'm alone...Pics soon to follow.

 

[jayste]

looking forward to the pics!

Jay

 

[WaxMan]

ACHINBAC
Made a folding canopy, is that what you mean by telescopic canopy?
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...sons/26811-whos-got-canopy-6.html#post1622510

 

[Z RENCH]

Problems uploading pictures tonight. Give it another try tomorrow. Waxman, no it is not just a folding canopy, its a telescoping straight up and down. The pics will speak a thousand words!

 

[Z RENCH]

As promised after long hours kickin' the computer, here they are!

 

[jayste]

Very slick. Describe some of your components that you used. Looks real functional.

Jay

 

[ninefinger]

I was going to post a picture of a beach umbrella zip tied to my rops, but now I do not think so lol. Nice job, really nice tractor.

 

[Ductape]

What's your cat's name................................. Bob ?

 

[Z RENCH]

What's your cat's name................................. Bob ?

Actually it's "COTN" which stands for Cat Of a Thousand Names. We could not decide what to name her and kept renaming her, so we just decided on COTN which is pronounced "Cotton". I know--- a black cat named Cotton!

As far as what this canopy is made of, except for the top which is an 1/8" thick 5X8 sheet of aluminum sliced & diced to order from a local metal fabrication shop, all the other materials were purchased from your local home improvement store. The outer poles are 1 1/4" black iron pipe with 1 1/4" schedule M copper pipe inside of them. The actual telescoping parts, which are inside the copper pipes, are Wooster brand paint roller extendable handles. The iron pipes are anchored to the tractor via pipe floor flanges and U-bolts with a couple of custom made brackets. The canopy itself is also anchored to the top of the poles via floor flanges. The telescoping poles lock into place in custom drilled holes. When the top is down, all I have to do is push up aprox. 1 foot, and BINGO--instant hi top canopy. To lower it I have to release the 4 tabs, 1 on each pole and hang on 'cause here it comes! Headliner, mirrors, fans, & lights still to come---Stay tuned.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Welcome to TBN!

That's a very nice canopy.

Do you have any pictures when you was building it ?

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

 

[mjncad]

Definitely an interesting concept to get around the problem of a low garage door height.

 

[jayste]

Ahhh! Now I see. I was wondering what the telescoping mechinism was made of. Nice job and very functional.

Jay

 

[Travelover]

Very clever use of "available" mass produced materials.

 

[mcd176]

Welcome to TBN and that is one slick canopy, nice work!

 

[Z RENCH]

Hello again fellow tractor buffs. Been busy at work, but finally got back around to working on the tractor canopy. Had to make some money to support my tractor habit. Anyhow, here are some more pics of the canopy in progress. Pics are of the radiant heat barrier insulation, marine grade vinyl leopard skin headliner material, 4 tornado fans, & 2 dome lights. Mirrors, driving lights, & camera system coming----I hope!

 

[KubotainNH]

Goes to show if you spend enough time walking around your local home improvement store that you can build almost anything. Adding a hydraulic lift to it next? Great project!

 

[Qapla]

Just a thought ... a place to look for the hydraulics for the canopy ... look for someone upgrading or getting rid of a handicap lift for a van. The cylinders are small enough and the system is electrically powered.

 

[tugboat-2]

Z RENCH : ... Yes, a warm WELCOME ABOARD to you for sure!! I'm impressed with the job and with such unique use of materials at hand. I love the headliner and can't wait to see your overhead "Control Panel" with the switches etc.

You seem like a "Tractor-Kinda-Guy" who may or may not have immediate plans or dreams for that beauty of a machine, . . . BUT,..I will look forward to all the many things you no doubt will do to customize this baby to make it "fit-you" in the coming months,..such as a "toolbox" and maybe a "chainpail" and other more "personal" items to add comfort as they come to mind,......huh ?

OR,....perhaps its just about the way you want it right now? Either way, your contribution of ideas and photos is greatly appreciated and we thank you for all the helpful photos you've brought with you and we invite you to continue!

CHEERS!
. . tug

PS: ...Qapla, WELCOME ABOARD to you also...great suggestion for compact elec-hydraulics !!! (I would think?)

 

[schmism]

well if nothing else it will win the most ugly award for that lepord print top!

 

[Z RENCH]

Well, been hard at it again this weekend. Got the mirrors and front long range 100 watt KC driving lights put on. Here's the pics to prove it!