Enclosed Cab or Open-Station Tractor: Which One Is Right For You?

When buying a tractor, you’ve got a wealth of choices before you. One of the biggest choices you’ll need to make is whether you want an enclosed cab or an open-station tractor. Each style has its benefits and drawbacks, and while it is possible to modify an open-station tractor to make it an enclosed cab tractor, it’s not possible to go the other way.

Johnson Fleet and Farm is your Deep South tractor dealer, with locations in Homerville, GA, and Yulee and Fernandina Beach, FL. Read on to learn more about whether you should consider buying an enclosed cab tractor or installing a cab on your open-station tractor.

Factory or Aftermarket Cab?

A factory-installed enclosed cab on a tractor will probably offer more features that could be useful, one of which is air-conditioning. Here in the humid South, air conditioning during the hot summer months can be a real boon, keeping you more comfortable. Bear in mind that an aftermarket cab probably won’t have this feature and it may not be airtight, so you could be uncomfortable. Climate is a very important factor in this decision.

Permanent or Removable?

If you do choose to install an aftermarket cab, do you want it to be permanent or should it be removable? Cabs are very tricky to install and require the assistance of seasoned professionals. A removable cab gives you the option to have an open-station tractor at certain times of the year, but you’ll still want to have it removed by a professional, which can cost more time and money. Think about whether you want to deal with the frequent removal and replacement of your cab or whether you’d prefer to simply have it there all the time.

Height Restrictions

Where you use and store your tractor may impact whether it has a cab or not. Bear in mind that an enclosed cab will inherently increase the overall height of your tractor, so any time you need to store or transport your tractor, you’ll have to account for that height. Some cab options may be shorter than others, giving you more clearance. An open-station tractor will not have the same height issues, even if it has a rollover protection structure (ROPS), since these can generally be folded down to improve clearance.

Cleanliness

An enclosed cab tractor will keep you cleaner and also ensure that you have cleaner air to breathe than an open-station tractor. A tractor that is open to the air leaves you vulnerable not only to sun and rain, but also dust, debris, grass clippings and other detritus that can be hard to breathe and leave you covered in dirt. Small rocks and other items could also fly up and injure you in an open-station tractor. So if you know that your work will be messy, you may want to consider an enclosed cab.

Alternatives

You may be able to have a compromise between enclosed cab and open-station tractors. Some aftermarket cabs will let you remove the windows so that you have a more open-air type cab for part of the year without having to remove or reinstall your cab. A canopy can provide shelter from sunlight and light precipitation while leaving the tractor open, and these are also easy to remove for storage or transport needs.

We hope this guide helps you to determine whether or not you need an enclosed cab tractor. When you’re ready to shop some models, visit one of our Florida or Georgia dealerships to take a look at our wide variety of new and used tractors for sale. Johnson Fleet and Farm proudly serves the cities of Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL.