Tractor glass: windscreens, rear screens and door glass

A modern tractor cab can carry more glass than a family car: a large front screen, curved side panels, full-height doors and an opening rear screen. On a working farm in Sligo or Leitrim that glass takes a beating from hedge cutting, stones thrown by implements, branches and the odd gate swinging back in the wind.

How tractor glass differs from car glass

Tractor cab glass is often toughened rather than laminated, including front screens on many models, although some manufacturers use laminated front screens. Toughened panes shatter completely when they fail. Doors and opening rear screens are frequently frameless, with hinges, latches and gas struts bolted straight through the glass, so those fittings have to be transferred to the new pane.

Working safely with damaged glass

• Stop work if broken glass is loose in the cab or the frame. Fragments of toughened glass can keep dropping out for days.
• Do not drive on the public road with a screen that blocks your view. The rules about a clear view of the road apply to tractors as much as to cars.
• A temporary polycarbonate or ply panel can keep weather out of the cab, but it is not a substitute for glass on the road.
• Check door glass hinges and latches after any knock: a cracked hinge point can let a door pane drop.

Getting the right pane

Tractor glass is specific to make, model and cab type, and cabs change between model years. Have the make, model, year, cab type and serial number ready, plus a photo of the pane and any part number printed in the corner of the glass. Large curved panes may need to be ordered in.

Insurance

Agricultural vehicle policies treat glass differently from private car policies. Some include glass cover, some include it only with a separate excess, and some exclude it. Check the schedule before arranging a repair. Our guide to glass claims lists the questions to ask.