Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I asked this question as part of another post but thought that it would get a better response if I posted it as a stand alone thread.  I am considering a snow cab for my snow thrower.  First do you think that they are a good investment or is a snow thrower better without one?  Second, if you do have one and think that they are worth the effort to buy and install, which one would you recomend?  Borat, gave me a nice link in the other thread and there is a how to install video that I found interesting here: http://www.classicaccessories.com/instructions/.

How important is it to have one that has the easy on, easy off feature.  It was toughted as good for storage.  Thanks for the input,

Rick

 Balance issues?  What balance issues? 

That's B.S.  I don't use my cab unless it's windy.  I've been out in some pretty good wind and never had any concern whatsoever with the balance of the machine.  If it's so windy that it makes it unsafe to operate a snow thrower with a cab on it, you shouldn't be outside unless absolutely necessary.   We're getting a pretty good dumping right now but the wind is from the east and in my favour.  Probably won't need the cab tonight. 

Goofienewfie: 

If you ordered your cab out of the U.S., be prepared for a fairly long wait.  Clearing Canada Customs takes forever.   I had a set of reeds mailed to me from the U.S. almost a month ago.  I'm still waiting.  I normally drive to the U.S./Canada border to pick up my stuff.  The shipper didn't have the reeds in stock when he shipped the rest of my order.  He knows that it's a bit of a drive for me to go to the border & back so, for my convenience, he mailed them directly to my home.  Bad move.   I've got all of my engine parts here & ready for assembly other than the reeds.  So, the waiting continues.  

For your information, there's a link that provides the assembly instructions to put the cab together.  I suggest you download it and read up a bit.  It'll help pass the time.  By the time you get the cab, you'll be able to put it together blindfolded. 

borat wrote:
lol.. I thought the same thing when I read it. But none the less I did read it. Actually I found it again, here is the direct quote. The site its on actually has some good tips, this just happens to be one of the bad ones.

"Avoid using "snow cabs", they just aren't worth it. They destroy the delicate balance of the machine, make it awkward to maneuver in tight quarters and will come down and hit you in the head if the front end rides up in a hard snowbank!"

l don't expect the wind to be a issue and you are right, if the wind is that high stay inside. Probably not much good to do the driveway since most will probably blow back in anyways.

Yes, I ordered from the states. I had some issues with my first order and canceled. Glad I did. I went with another company that really seems to have their act together for shipping across the border.  The promise no border issues and deal with a some B2B logistics company in Michigan. The tracking started off with UPS and now its switch over to Canada Post and appears to be processed in Mississauga.  Fingers cross but everything is looking good right now.  The company has been great so far.

Yes, I have been on that link and even watched the video. The problems I am having is weather I will have that model or the older model. Maybe you can e-mail me the instructions of the older model as well and then I will be extra prepared. Maybe they both go together the same. The new one looks like a tent pole type system for the roof, unsure how it was done before.

Hey all;

Got my cab in the mail today. Turned out to be a excellent day to get it as it was pretty warm in my unheated shed. Thank borat for sending those instructions, turned out to be the older model / same as yours.  Glad I got this model as I believe it is better built going by the pictures and video of the new one.  Everything went together smoothly since read the instructions many times prior to getting the unit thanks to borat.

The Total cost was $150 cdn with taxes, border fee and shipping. Got the unit for $79.99 usd due to price match of a amazon affiliate seller that would not send to Canada.  Seller matched price anyway :)

Took me about 1 1/2hrs to install. Never had any problems with the cover going over the bars. Many people seem to complain about that. Wasn't a problem for me and glad its a little tight to keep everything wrickle free.  Still some wrickles in the clear plastic, but nothing that would reduce vision. Tried heating it with a hairdryer to no avail, did not seem to do much for it. None the less, I don't see the few wrickles as a problem.

I am glad I went with the deluxe, I don't think I would have fix in the regular one. Just enough space for me to move around.  From the floor to the top of the peak its 80". About 1" higher then my shed door, I haven't tried moving it out through yet as I have the gas tank off to clean it out. I think it should be fine with a slight tip back of the blower.

Only thing left to do now is cut a slit for the chute rotation rod. Think I will try and find some velcro and apply to the slit to close it back up after the cab is install each time with the fast removal system.

Overall, very impressed with the cab thus far and the supplier was great to deal with. Took about 2 weeks to arrive from order and things were delayed abit at canada post due to christmas time I suspect.

Once I am completely finished, will take a pic of it. 

Can you share the Amazon dealer that had the deluxe snow cab for $79?  I see that at about $119 USD most of the time and have found it at $99 but not $79.  I am on a waiting list at my local hardware store when they get some more in.  Still shopping in Wis, Thanks.

If it's an inch too tall to fit in your shed, can you not lower it a bit on the mounts.  I know it's something you'd rather not do but if it'll allow the cab to clear, it's only a one shot deal.

Hey clay;

The company on amazon that had it for $79.99 is either out of stock or no longer carrying them. I included a link to them anyway, in case it comes back in stock. Its below.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000VUN8I/ref=pd_luc_mri?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A1J7OTSURZAVWI&v=glance


I originally ordered the cab from Jackssmallengine. They had the cab at $89.99 price and would not match amazon. But they answered my original e-mail quick and I liked that it had a phone number listed on there site, which I also called and got some answers. Availability, shipping cost.   After I ordered it went down hill. Charge double them original shipping quote and no movement on the order in 5 business days as promised. Then called again and got run around.. won't go into it. But it was enough to tick me off and canceled the order. I will not order from them again.

Before I ordered from jacks I had contacted sportman guide as well, Should have waited a little longer and would have realized service was night and day.  Sportsman guide also has a number, unsure if its listed on their site, but all e-mails are signed with it. They matched price, guaranteed no border issues and even had the appropriate tax category for my province. They have their act together and I was really please with them.  As soon as I canceled my jacks order, I ordered from them.  Unit shipped next day and I got it two weeks later. Pretty good considering I am at the furthest easterly point in North America, on a island with christmas shipping times in the mix.

Here is a link to sportsman guide. They originally had it for $89.99 as well, it was on sale. Its now at $99.99. Probably still cheaper then most if not all. The only places I could find cheaper were that place on amazon and jacks was the same price.  Even if jacks is still 89.99 I would deal with sportsmanguide first.


Borat.

Yes, I could probably move it down a little, but I really like it at this height. If I have much trouble getting in and out of the shed, I will do so. But as it stands right now, the height is just right. I am almost 6' 2" . With a hat on now, I tend to rub the flap that comes down over the back. If I went lower I could see me always hitting that if I do not crunch down a little before getting in. I also like that I can tip the snowblower back a bit with this height, if I lowered it my head would hit the roof and stop me from tipping the blower back.  But like I said, if I have to, I will. 

Can I ask you guys how wide is the cab? I have a "36" walk in door that I run my blower in through in my garage and I was wondering if I got on e if it would work? I can't get a "30" snowblower through as with the skids on it gets too tight but my "26" goes through as well as my old "28" as well.

Thanks, Coldfingers

This web site gives the dimensions of this particular cab:  http://www.coverbonanza.com/38903/26231/Snow-Thrower-Covers--Cabs/Deluxe-Snow-Thrower-Cab----Two--Stage-Snow-Throwers.html

It lists this Deluxe cab as:  Overall size 30"L x 28"W x 50"H.

They are becoming scarce in my area so it is better to get one sooner than later.  Anyone find any good prices on the deluxe one, I would appreciate either a PM or a response on this thread.

Without going out and measuring it right now, I believe its 28.5" from outside to outside of the bars that the cab holds on too.  I sort of remember this as its mention it the manual to check this dimension to ensure its install right.  My bucket is 30" and its slightly smaller then it.  Hard to believe you cannot fit a 30" snowblower in a 36" door.  skid shoes are not 3" thick. I guess it would be somewhat tight, but it should go in without issue.

My neighbour had difficulty getting his 29" snow thrower through the 32" door to his storage shed.  I recommended that he put the skids on the inside of the intake housing.  Goes in quite a bit easier now.  On his machine (Craftsman) the skids didn't interfere with the augers.