D2 Canopy

To do it right I would remove those fenders and make some out of 3/8" plate and weld gussets underneath where the cab posts will be.

Hi, Tugger.
I agree with ROME/KG. Those fenders, as they are, are inadequate for supporting a canopy that is intended to protect anybody or anything from any falling objects bigger than maybe a stray pigeon's 'passing comments'. Those D2s and the early D4's up to and including the 'U' series also lacked any worthwhile support up front for a canopy with sweeps 'cos the engine WAS the frame. They would be better than nothing but not by a whole lot.

The D4C shown in your photo has the heavier fenders that came in somewhere during the 'U' series D2s and D4s. Even these are a little problematical for supporting a canopy with some extra bracing but are WAY better than the fenders on the D2 in your photo.

From past experience, it seems to be better to take the back legs of such a canopy in under the seat and attach them to the drawbar swing frame mounting bolts via a plate on each side so that you can put the drawbar swing frame back on over the top of the canopy support plates. I have seen them attached directly to the drawbar swing frame and that swing frame broken by a falling limb. Luckily, said limb had its fall broken sufficiently by the swing frame that it didn't do much other damage and the operator was pretty much unscathed - except for his nerves and his underwear. Pucker factor - ????????

As ROME/KG suggested. heavier fenders, well gusseted would be a good place to start. You may be able to pick up a set of the heavier fenders that came out for the later 'U' series D2s if you ask VERY nicely here on the BB or keep an eyeball fastened on 'flea-bay' or Craigslist of Kijiji or wunna them.

Just my 0.02. Hope this helps.

My D2 4U had a canopy with sweeps on it when I bought it. Grampa's mechanic had welded up plates that fit in underneath the fenders with gussets and also welded a slab of 3/16 steel on top of the fender where it bolted up. Worked pretty well for about 40 years.

Hi, Gregness.
With all due respect to you and your grampa's mechanic, almost any canopy will "work pretty well" - - - - right up until it gets a REAL test. Trubble being, at that point, it just might be too late - - - if you get my drift.

Better to build it solid and not need it than to not build it solid and need it.

Hi, Tugger.
Without wishing to be a wet blanket, have you thought about the legal implications if you supplied a canopy for that D2 then a tree fell on it and somebody under it was injured? 50 years ago, that would likely not have been an issue. These days, . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . ???????????

Just me thinkin'. (I'll try not to do that any more. It HURTS.)

Hi, Gregness.
With all due respect to you and your grampa's mechanic, almost any canopy will "work pretty well" - - - - right up until it gets a REAL test. Trubble being, at that point, it just might be too late - - - if you get my drift.

Better to build it solid and not need it than to not build it solid and need it.

Hi, Tugger.
Without wishing to be a wet blanket, have you thought about the legal implications if you supplied a canopy for that D2 then a tree fell on it and somebody under it was injured? 50 years ago, that would likely not have been an issue. These days, . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . ???????????

Just me thinkin'. (I'll try not to do that any more. It HURTS.)

Yep--Deas is right with the REAL TEST!---STRONG is good as you just don't know when the real test comes!! :Cry:\
I had parked the machine and when i came back 3 weeks later this is what i found

[attachment=22543]ibm 777.jpg[/attachment]

[quote="dpendzic"]Yep--Deas is right with the REAL TEST!---STRONG is good as you just don't know when the real test comes!! :Cry:\
I had parked the machine and when i came back 3 weeks later this is what i found

[/quote]

Bigfoot has not been seen around here for awhile. Guess now we know where he went. LOL.

Maybe that was a Dogwood tree lol didn't like that Cat just sitting there.

Hi
Thanks for the input.Im thinking the fenders will be ok ,but the gussets and bracing are the weak points,fender material really just being afiller between the the canopy mount pad and the gusset or brace underneath the fender.the front gussets only have some 3/8" bolts holding them on.the rear braces are really only built on guage metal.Im looking at the drawbar bolts ,maybe some kind of bracket utilizing them.The front mounts remain aproblem.The bolt pattern on the side of the radiator might be ok for a couple of brackets for sweeps,if the sweeps have a rubber mount or slip joint with tubing.Liability wise I think this type of a canopy has to be viewed as a rain shelter, exhaust protector and something to keep branches out of your face ,of course this will be pointed out to the new owner,who is no greenhorn with this stuff.Im still in the thinking stage ,with no commitment to build a canopy right now,just thought something decently built would be better then nothing,if I can overcome those front bolts.Might be a reason you don't see too many D2 s with canopies.As afootnote is anyone here familiar with the Baxter pole co.,i think they were out of Oregon ,but ran operations here on Vancouver Island.I remember they had D2 s for pole skidding with canopies that had an arched roof.They looked decent ,but I never took note of the mounting.

Regards
Tugger