Tractor Canopy

[JML755]

Looking at getting a canopy for my Ford 3600. Considering the Sun Guard (mowercanopies.com). Anyone got any experience with them? Thought about making my own but not sure that it'd be cost effective and look halfway decent in the end. Anybody make their own?

 

[JayinNY]

My father in law has made 2 for his tractors, 1 4100 ford and a 4000. This was a long while back. The roll bar he made goes straight up and down, it dosent lean back like a factory ones. The roof offers sun, rain protection, but it looks kinda funny, because he only used half a sheet of steel, so its not 5 foot wide like a factory one. In other words it dosent over hang the back fenders any from side to side. Isent to bad, did a nice job and its better than nothing. Do you already have the roll bar? Check NH for the price of a canopy, I bought a new steel one for my Ford 1720, and it was around 600 bucks.

 

[DoubleR]

I've made three of them on tractors that already had a roll bar on.. Used one on a kubota for 12 years then traded it in with it and it still looked good. Got one on my Massey that I made 6 years ago. I just figure out the size I want or go to a dealer and measure one. I make a frame out of quility 2x4 and use good on both sides 1/2 inch plywood. I bolted it to top of the roll bar and brace it with flat stock steel in the middle of the top to the middle of the roll bar sides. Paint it the factory color and put alot of polyuathane over the paint. Cost me about 50 bucks to make it and my time. They have held up good although my tractors are kept inside. They look factory from a distance untill you get closeup and see the difference. Beats the heck out of paying what they want for a fiberglass factory job. This is only my opinion as I'm sure others may disagree.

 

[JML755]

(quoted from post at 10:34:22 01/25/11) My father in law has made 2 for his tractors, 1 4100 ford and a 4000. This was a long while back. The roll bar he made goes straight up and down, it dosent lean back like a factory ones. The roof offers sun, rain protection, but it looks kinda funny, because he only used half a sheet of steel, so its not 5 foot wide like a factory one. In other words it dosent over hang the back fenders any from side to side. Isent to bad, did a nice job and its better than nothing. Do you already have the roll bar? Check NH for the price of a canopy, I bought a new steel one for my Ford 1720, and it was around 600 bucks.

Yeah, my 3600 has a ROPS and the SunGuard brackets will fit the tubes which are angled backwards. One of my concerns is how "floppy" they might be as you bounce around a field. Also would need to do some serious tree trimming. Right now, I just "duck" in a lot of places and let the branches hit the ROPS (which is not the safest thing to do) Having a canopy I didn't want to tear up would probably increase the safety aspect of my "seat time". :wink: Also thought of going to a junkyard and maybe getting a hood from a compact car for use as a canopy but figured the weight might be an issue. A dumpster lid might be a good DIY choice as well, if I could find one.

 

[JML755]

That was kind of my first inkling (plywood) but since the tractor sits outside all year, not really a good option. SunGuard wants $274 but I've seen others for more. That's why I'm concerned about the quality and durability. Do you get a lot of "bounce" out of your plywood setups? I go over a lot of uneven ground with lots of holes and bumps.

 

[DoubleR]

You got to bolt them down good and you won't have any problem. I disk plowed ground and I don't hesitate to do anything with the tractor because of it. I like them to keep the sun and a lght rain off me. The only downside is it does have a little noise eko while under it operatating the tractor.

 

[DoubleR]

274 is not a bad price on one. I thought they were more like 500 bucks or more. At least they were when I priced them a few years ago.

 

[Anonymous-0]

You might consider a bimini canvas top from a boat. Folds up and down in a minute or less - a covertible for your tractor!:^)

 

[Dan in North Houston]

My wife bought me a canopy for the ROPS on my small JD several years ago. She got it at the local JD dealer for $375, but it was made by an outfit in Waco, Perry-co.com . I've not installed it yet because I use the small tractor under trees a lot. One of these days when I get all the trimming done I will put it on.

 

[JayinNY]

If its the same mounting like mine here with the square tube steel rops it should be ok, mine only moves a little, and I also dont really have any bad bounces. Some Ford rops had square side, with a round pipe top bar.

 

[JML755]

Yeah, my 3600 has the rectangular steel vertical tube and round cross bar. Yours looks pretty sturdy.

Would rather have a hard top so I don't have to mess with and store a soft top.

 

[M Nut]

I think I saw one on craigslist in either the Minneapolis or St. Cloud farm listings in MN yesterday.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I put a Perry canopy on our Ford 4610. It bolted right on and has sound deadening material on the underside to keep the engine noise from reflecting on to the operators ears. They"re made in Texas and were pretty reasonably priced. Is your ROPS predrilled for the factory canopy?

 

[JayinNY]

Is this Perry one steel, or fiberglass?

 

[JML755]

(quoted from post at 14:28:30 01/25/11) I put a Perry canopy on our Ford 4610. It bolted right on and has sound deadening material on the underside to keep the engine noise from reflecting on to the operators ears. They"re made in Texas and were pretty reasonably priced. Is your ROPS predrilled for the factory canopy?

Yeah, I think so. There are 3 holes on each post towards the top. Never considered calling the NH dealer. Every time I do, my hair stands on end when I hear the price on something. Most times, I hear a whistle on the other end before they give it to me and sometimes they ask if I'm sitting down. Haven't gotten sticker shock in a while, so maybe I'll give them a call just for grins. I checked out Perry. Little more expensive than the Sun Guard but thanks for the reference.