I Love it when a Plan Just falls together.

One of my winters projects is to build a canopy and grill guard for my Case 431T that I mount my wood splitter/processor to. I got the design worked out in my head, and proceeded to fab up the rear uprite struts. I was pretty well locked in to the width that they would be at, as they utilized the bolts that go thru the rear axle housing and hold the 3pt stabilizer, so I built them to that width.
I went outside yesterday to bring in a salvaged Kubota shipping crate, figuring that I would just cut it apart for the 2" square tubing. I measured the outside width, and low and behold it was the same as my struts. All I had to do, was to shorten the crate to my specs, cut off some mtg brackets that were welded on it, and woo-pee, it was ready to weld to the uprites. Got it propped up in place so the top was parallel to the top of the tractor hood and welded it into place. I cut out a couple more pieces of tubing from the rest of the crate to make the two angle braces you see in the pic. When I get done the tubing from the crate will be totally utilized.
I have e-mailed my drawings for the roof to my steel supplier, and should have it at my shop door next Friday. It will be made from 16G sheet stock, and look like the one that I had formed for my 831C in the pic. This canopy will be a 4 post patterned after the one on the 1494 in the last pic. except with a bigger roof area.
Loren

Nice repaint, and you sure look cute in that white shirt!

I don't do a lot of fabrication, but when one finds pieces that fit with out much modification it will always be a good day. Keep up the good customizing work and keep us posted

HeHe, I scanned the cover of a piece of Case lit.
Loren

It will clear going out the door........right?

'70's or '80's?

I spend a lot of time out in the woods on my tractor too, and I put a canopy on it. It had a factory ROPS so that gave me a good start, I should of done it years ago.

The canopy will be 89.5" high. The door is 95" to the trim.
Loren

How is you stock of Kubota crates holding out. Hind sight I should have saved more. I hauled them to the farm over years but now that I am retired sure do go to that pile often. Use a lot of them as pallets to stack lumber I cut with my wood-mizer. And like you I also cut out some good metal, and have used a few as deer stand supports. I like you top , going to make the tractor nice.

Nice work! I'll be watching for a picture of the finished product.

Looks to be 20's.

My experience with the four-post, open side is that when going through brushy areas, the front post can bend small limbs backward, with the result that they whip back into your face. I nearly lost an eye that way; still have a permanent floater.

JM That was the last crate that I had. As you know, Kubota is now recycling them.
Loren
PS, I still need to remedy my fuel filter base problem. I will e-mail you.

I can't argue that point. My preference would be a two post, but not sure that I can make it ridged enough with the two post design, and materials at my disposal.
Loren

That stinks ACG. I bet that supply felt endless...

I had a guy out with a sawmill 7-8 years ago. Cut dimensional lumber for us. Had thousands of board feet stocked, organized and separated. Felt like I had wood to last the rest of my life.

Used the last of it last summer...sad day.

Sales lit was published in 1983

hello loren could you post a picture of your hoist on your log spliter . i had it saved and deleted it by mistake. thanks gerald

Sometimes you can see it in a piece of someone else?s junk. Sometimes it comes to you in the middle of the night. Sometimes you have to trip over it. Then I have to pick my self up, lick my wounds, and move onward.

Here are several shots from different angles The winch is a $49 HF 2500# remote controlled unit. I also built a tray for a group 31 battery, so it is self contained. Bat lasts most of the season on one or two charges.
Loren

Just send me the address again , I have you a base off ready to ship,

You do nice work. No brag just fact.