Built a canopy to keep sun, rain, and falling limbs at bay. Here's part of the structural test.
-- Carl
-- Carl
DIY canopy
- Thread starter m32825
- Start date
Thanks! That's a 4x6 foot piece of 3/4" exterior grade plywood. I'll practice running into everything with it for a while and see how it holds up. Might do something with sheet metal eventually.
There's a chunk of 1/4" steel plate with 1/2" U-bolts to hold it against the ROPS. A pair of 1/2" bolts at the top of each plate attaches the rails, which are 2x2" angle, also in 1/4". I assembled it to get everything aligned then welded the rails to the plates, and welded a couple chunks of left over angle to the plate, bracing against the ROPS low in the front and high in the back so the the U-bolts are just holding the plate to the ROPS, not trying to support the rails/plywood.
-- Carl
After using the canopy for a while I decided to add some front supports, this post planted the seed for the project:
TripleR Grill Guard
Once I figured out how to get holes drilled through the guard up front (thanks guys!) I cut some 2x2's to figure out the length of the supports, the angle to meet with the front face of the canopy mounting plates, and the spacing needed to clear the hood when it opens.
I'm using 11 gauge 1.5" square tube for the supports, next step is to cut them and weld the ends on.
-- Carl
TripleR Grill Guard
Once I figured out how to get holes drilled through the guard up front (thanks guys!) I cut some 2x2's to figure out the length of the supports, the angle to meet with the front face of the canopy mounting plates, and the spacing needed to clear the hood when it opens.
I'm using 11 gauge 1.5" square tube for the supports, next step is to cut them and weld the ends on.
-- Carl
Before and after pictures of the ends that will bolt to the grill guard. Man, am I glad someone invented angle grinders! Anyone know where I can buy stock in a company that makes abrasives for them? 
Next step is to cut and fit the upper mounting plates.
-- Carl
Next step is to cut and fit the upper mounting plates.
-- Carl
Pulled the top back while fitting for the front supports. What do you think, sun roof for nice days?
-- Carl
-- Carl
Finished product. While I was at it I rounded the corners of the plywood on top, put some spacers underneath it to give it a little crown in the middle, and painted it with some black waterproof fence sealer. Looks pretty sporty now!
-- Carl
-- Carl
Do you mean the rounded corners on the plywood top? If so, I measured out a four inch radius, cut it with the jigsaw, belt sanded to smooth out the transitions, then (and this is the important part) took a picture of the best corner.
-- Carl
Russell King
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
I believe he meant "how did you do the ends of the tubular steel to bolt hole" that you showed in your posts.
Gotcha. I'm using 1.5" round aluminum stock for spacers. I bolted them on and traced around them with a sharpie, then used the angle grinder to bring it down to the line, grinding wheel for bulk removal, flap sanding disk for smoothing/refinement.
-- Carl
I used 1/4" by 2" flat bar for the ends and needed to cut the square tube so that it would taper down, leaving a 1/4" slot in the middle. I made the cuts below on both sides, then put the flat bar in the middle and banged the "V" closed on it with a hammer.
-- Carl
-- Carl
You've basically made what I had in mind for my L3200 but I'm not so sure about the front supports going up to the grill. I was thinking more 'straight' down to the frame between the loader upright and the dashpod. Maybe I'm being too enthusiastic?
That should work fine. I considered it, but couldn't figure out how I was going to attach the lower ends there. When I saw TripleR's post going to the grill guard I figured I could do that. Turns out it was harder than anticipated, but I got there!
-- Carl
Picture of where the supports tie into the grill guard. Pardon the sand, we've been playing in it...
-- Carl
-- Carl
Built my canopy myself. It is stronger and cheaper than the ones you buy. I used 11/4" square tubing for the up rights and 1" tubing for the top support. I made so that I could remove the front up rights when I remove the loader. It was a one day project. I don't put an amount on my time building these kind of projects cause they're just plan fun to do.
Attachments
