DON'T MAKE THE WRONG CHOICE! CAB OR OPEN STATION TRACTOR?

Do you want a cab tractor or an open station tractor? As if figuring out the right model of tractor isn't hard enough, you also have to decide how you want it outfitted. Some accessories, attachments, and add-ons can easily be purchased and integrated afterwards. However, a factory cab is a decision that needs to be made at the time of the tractor purchase. The reason being is that factory cabs are designed and assembled along with the tractor.

Don't confuse a true factory cab with an aftermarket version. There is a night and day difference. While you can add air conditioning to a certain model of Curtis cab on the Kubota's, it still isn't the same as a real factory cab. Form, fit, and function are far superior on factory installed cabs versus aftermarket installations. With most things in life, there's many trade-offs associated with an open station tractor vs a cab tractor.

In this video, we'll talk about many differences including price, storage, features, maintenance, access, operation stations, and visibility. Hopefully this will give you a good look at the differences and get the wheels turning if you're trying to figure out the best option for you. As always, I greatly appreciate you taking the time to watch this video and find some useful information!

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This video is for entertainment purposes only. Good Works Tractors (Good Works Lawn & Power, LLC) cannot be held responsible for content found in any video. Always reference your owners manuals, use extreme caution, and proceed at your own risk.

[jifi-]

I made a decision to get a bigger tractor after moving to my current property. I didn't know I could even get a (factory) cab on a Kubota in the size tractor I wanted/needed. Yes, there was a shock in the price difference when I found out I could actually get a cab and truly use my tractor regardless of the weather. I wanted my machine to be usable the entire year. Ultimately considering the facts that a cab helped buffer me from the while outside finally justified (in my mind) the extra option and expense of a cabbed model. No regrets.

[davidgay]

I've had several tractors over the years, bought my first cab tractor last year, a JD 5065E, I'll never go back to an open station, absolutely love the cab!!

[mikep]

I was extremely grateful I had a cab on my tractor last weekend. Last Saturday I was doing some grading and pulling up some tree roots. In the blink of an eye all I could see was steam and I heard a loud pop. It turned out one of he loader hoses blew and the hole was right in the direction of the operator station. If I hadn’t had the cab on I would have taken a hot mess of fluid in the face.

[russbolton]

Been running a open/ROPS for 20 years now, but 43 yrs old and thinking its time to upgrade and treat myself to a cab. Not too macho to say I value comfort at times. Thanks for making this video.

[josephsierra]

As always..Nothing is easy to decide. I have open cab 1025R...A few days per year in the winter I wish I had a cab. The other 360 days I dont think much about it...Thanks for the good info as always!

[jackcrilly]

I turned 60 this month, my JD5055E with cab arrives this Catskills are cold 🥶, I'm done freezing my butt off. Almost 90 inches of snow this winter....I'll be plowingin n my T- Shirt next winter like a gentleman.

[johndeno]

Cabs are nice, wouldn't buy another one without it.

[davidignacio]

This is truly educational and an eye opener for me. What I would not really consider as a factor before, it made me think again. Once again, what really matter are what you are comfortable with and what makes your work a little easier.

[morrisshankleful]

I purchased a cab tractor last year getting to the age were I do not like the heat or cold best purchase I have ever made. Thanks for your videos .

[jaynen]

Need more smaller tractors with factory cabs!

[orestwitiw]

When I got my Kubota BX2380 I ordered it with a cab but changed my mind at the last minute. By the time winter hit and I put a closet full of warm clothes on to blow snow for the first time in an open station I realized the mistake I had made. I called the dealer and ordered the cab but it would be 4 weeks freezing in wind blown snow at 6 am in that open station. When the tractor arrived with the Tektite cab installed I immediately knew it was a good decision. It had heat, front and rear flood lights and a front wiper. The first storm I had the pleasure of using the cab I fired up both front and rear flood lights turned on the heater and when the snow blew back onto the windshield I smiled and flipped the toggle for the front wiper blade. Yup it was heaven. Now I can dress a lot lighter and still be comfortable. I will say though that the noise level went up and I started using ear plugs or ear muffs. Love that cab wouldn’t have it any other way! Enjoyed the episode wish I had seen it before I bought the open station!

[dalcassian]

When I bought my 2R Tractor, the standard cab they offered was blocky and small, so I went with the Tektite cab. I love it, especially in the winter when I turn on the heat and work without shivering. The only drawback, it is an expensive learning curve when moving rocks as one rolled out of the loader and shattered a door. Bit breezy for a while :)

[Windsor]

I've always had cab tractors and they're way more popular where I live, but I consider switching to an open station just because I climb on and off a lot and also do a lot of work together with my family.
Cab in the forest is both a pro and con. Yes, you might scratch that cab a bit, but it also prevents you from getting a branch in your face. What type forests will matter a lot and if you're there a lot then you really need to consider further protecting that tractor which will be much easier on a cab since you can mount brush guards from the hood and up to the front corners of the cab. And in rugged terrain both tractors should have a belly plate.

[KateHikes]

Wow, the price difference alone sells me on an open-cab model! Thanks for the info!

[LeaMacDonald]

Ima cab kinda guy. In one word, winter! I've been out blowing snow when it's snowing and blowing, trying to get things cleared so we can off to work. It's not fun . . . the heated cab is a delight to be in . . . AND . . . when you're going through brush and stuff you are not going to break your lights with branches, they are tucked behind the cab! :)

[rosslicitra]

Had a 3720 Cab and a 4300 open station.. they are both fantastic but when I stop doing my business and sold one, I choose to get rid of the cab tractor. Yes they are great to have and I spent lot of hours on each machine but the open station overall was my choice. I always felt better in control with my attachments with the open station. Also the AC in the cab never worked great but I did love the heated cab.

[bradbraswell]

I'm enjoying your vids. Very informative. But after being a landscape contractor for 30 years and maintaining my own 17 acres, I feel like you overlooked two things. Cab tractor helps keep the dust off of you and more importantly, it's a great safe space when you mow over or dig up that yellowjacket nest. My JD 955 never could outrun those flying demons.

[pjf]

Not just the added initial expense, when doing repairs, the price just about triples. We have an older 5310 with an OOS and takes about 2 days for a clutch. In one of our 5325's with a cab, we had to send it out. It was down for about a month. . .
Then there's the cost of replacing the glass WHEN it gets broken. $700 rear window, 600 or so for the door(4720). Plus the (my) labor time to install and adjust.

[floridagunrat]

I live in Florida, if I buy a closed cab machine it has to have air conditioning, that's more expense, more maintenance, more things to break down and it makes it harder to communicate with laboers I have working around me. And when I let my employees do the job without me, they spend time sitting in the tractor burning diesel rather than out working!

[allanpyne]

Personally I would like a cab tractor I am allergic to bee's.It would be a life savor, one day I'll get one.Plus like yo u said its warm in the winter plowing snow.