Cabs: Creature Comforts

“Cabs are starting to look like the interior of a lunar capsule with all the monitors, screens, and control boxes required to run multiple applications,” says Dan Iseminger, business development manager for Kee Technologies North America, A Division of Topcon Positioning Systems Inc.

Manufacturers are striving to consolidate applicator tasks (autosteering, mapping, guidance, automatic section control spraying, fertilizing, variable rates, and planting) in easy-to-reach consoles and controllers. And IRON companies are looking for ways to make more space available in the cab as well as give drivers the most visibility possible. They’re

also adding comfort features for long days in the field, including:

•    Multi-function joysticks.
•    Adjustable, air suspension seats.
•    Leather amenities.
•    Environmental controls.
•    CD and stereo equipment.

Here is a sampling of the cabs we checked out.

SPX4420 and SPX3320 Patriot Sprayers | Case IH

The Case IH SPX4420 and SPX3320 Patriot Sprayers feature the trademarked Surveyor cabs. They come with massive amounts of glass for excellent visibility and large interiors for plenty of room to stretch. Also available are tilt and telescoping steering, an Optima air-ride seat, a control console that moves with the seat, electronic instrumentation positioned in the operator’s field of view, and ergonomic switch layout. New for 2007 is the luxury cab option in the SPX4420 sprayer (pictured) — which includes a heated red leather seat, a leather instructional seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and carpeted floor mat.

Self-propelled Sprayers | John Deere

The view, above, is from the air suspension seat in John Deere’s self-propelled sprayers. The trademarked ComfortCommand seat is now standard, with independent vertical and horizontal adjustments to match the operator’s height. The seat back can reach 30 degrees backwards, and a vertical shock dampener limits upward motion of the seat’s suspension.

APACHE Models | Equipment Technologies

The new 2007 APACHE models offer drivers enhanced soundproofing in and around the cab — and a CD player with four stereo speakers is now standard. Each cab is custom-made to allow for maximum visibility.

Predator | GVM

The GVM Predator features a deluxe centered cab with training seat. The custom right-hand control console places the sprayer and chassis related switches — as well as the Allison gear selector — close at hand. The customer has the option of a deluxe spray control joystick with five-section boom shut-offs, lap nozzle, master, foam marker, and boom tilt switches; or a standard joystick with boom tilt and master switches.

Prowler | GVM

The GVM Prowler utilizes a raised floor tractor cab with a factory installed training seat that opens to a glove box. The custom right-hand control console features the deluxe spray control joystick integral with the forward/neutral/reverse bump shift gear selector — to keep the operator’s hand on the primary control at all times. New for the 2007 model year is an air-suspension seat standard.

STS Cab | Hagie

Designed with today’s operators in mind, the Hagie STS cab has 67.2 square feet of glass for a full tip-to-top view of the spray boom not found in rear boom machines. At 67 decibels, Hagie says the cab is the quietest in the industry, allowing operators to enjoy music or keep track of markets without struggling to hear over the roar of engine noise. The operator controls are literally at-your-fingertips, with all in-field spray functions located on the joystick. Leg and headroom, training seat, seven-way adjustable seat, and multiple power points are just a few of the additional features built into the STS Vision Series cab.

NITRO 3275 Series Cab | Miller St. Nazianz

The NITRO 3275 series cab provides a quiet working environment, consistently measuring below 69 decibels. A smooth ride comes from an air-ride cab suspension along with an air-ride seat. The front mount design and front boom give operators all-day view of the boom with dramatically less fatigue. Charcoal filtration along with a high capacity heating/cooling package ensures a comfortable driver environment.

FieldHawk Cab | Modern Flow Equipment

The FieldHawk has a unique complete cab forward design and an expansive curved windshield (shown here in construction) with narrow corner posts for optimum visibility. Drivers will appreciate the air-ride cab suspension for smooth operation. In addition, the 305-hp Cummins QSC engine provides smoother, quieter power.