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I imagine you guys experience this all the time. I finally got an afternoon to retrofit and install the 1997 OTC cab I picked up this summer on my '08 Craftsman Pro YT. I had test fit some of the frame, thoroughly read the directions twice and had my plan in order. I figured about an hour. I set to work, methodically following my plan, addressing problems as they arose. Project completed. Imagine my surprise when I went upstairs and it was after 8 pm. Time flies when you're having fun! Pics:
I bought some clamps to hold the frame uprights in place while I fit everything, saving the drilling for last.
First problem, I had to move the chute crank from the Berco mount to the mount on the cab upright, then I had to adjust the OTC bracket so that the crank worked without interfering with the tractor hood or cab windshield and door. The chute deflector handle is still a problem that I have to work on.
I cut down a couple of clothes line hooksto use to mount the rear frame behind the seat.
I wanted to take advantage of the factory mounting holes already on the rear fenders.
Unfortunately, this oriented the cab leaning much too forward, so I had to resort to moving the rear frame back and lower on the fender.
I could only drill a hole right center, the gas tank takes up the whole left hand side. This means there is only one attachment point in the rear, but it seems sturdy enough.
After this, I lost track of time and forgot to take pictures as I fit and tightened the frame, ultimately drilling and bolting the front frame uprights to the tractor footwells. Here are a few pictures of the completed cab. I obviously lost daylight last night so these are from this afternoon.
Two remaining issues. The chute deflector handle needs a new location, the chute crank interferes with it.
And last and most problematic, the Berco blower lift handle is a lot higher than the Craftsman that this cab is designed for, so it is hard to reach and activate through the hole in the right hand door. I will either have to cut a larger hole in the door (a crime as this thing seems brand new), or upgrade to a power lift, something I was planning to put off until next year. I'm going to start another thread about wiring an actuator.
Oh, here's the cab I started with. Nice upgrade huh?
I bought some clamps to hold the frame uprights in place while I fit everything, saving the drilling for last.


First problem, I had to move the chute crank from the Berco mount to the mount on the cab upright, then I had to adjust the OTC bracket so that the crank worked without interfering with the tractor hood or cab windshield and door. The chute deflector handle is still a problem that I have to work on.


I cut down a couple of clothes line hooksto use to mount the rear frame behind the seat.

I wanted to take advantage of the factory mounting holes already on the rear fenders.


Unfortunately, this oriented the cab leaning much too forward, so I had to resort to moving the rear frame back and lower on the fender.

I could only drill a hole right center, the gas tank takes up the whole left hand side. This means there is only one attachment point in the rear, but it seems sturdy enough.


After this, I lost track of time and forgot to take pictures as I fit and tightened the frame, ultimately drilling and bolting the front frame uprights to the tractor footwells. Here are a few pictures of the completed cab. I obviously lost daylight last night so these are from this afternoon.




Two remaining issues. The chute deflector handle needs a new location, the chute crank interferes with it.

And last and most problematic, the Berco blower lift handle is a lot higher than the Craftsman that this cab is designed for, so it is hard to reach and activate through the hole in the right hand door. I will either have to cut a larger hole in the door (a crime as this thing seems brand new), or upgrade to a power lift, something I was planning to put off until next year. I'm going to start another thread about wiring an actuator.
Oh, here's the cab I started with. Nice upgrade huh?
