The Leyland Quiet Cab is one of the most recognisable and iconic tractor cab designs in British agricultural history. Fitted to the Leyland Middleweight range — including models 245, 262, 272, 282, 462, 472 and 482
The Leyland Quiet Cab is one of the most recognisable and iconic tractor cab designs in British agricultural history. Fitted to the Leyland Middleweight range — including models 245, 262, 272, 282, 462, 472 and 482 — the Quiet Cab marked a major step forward in operator comfort, safety and noise reduction when it was introduced in the 1970s.
Today, many of these tractors are still working daily or undergoing full restorations. At Tractor Spare Parts Ltd, we specialise in supplying high-quality replacement parts that allow customers to restore the Quiet Cab to original condition, using expert engineering knowledge and UK-manufactured components.
Which Leyland Tractors Have the Quiet Cab?
The Quiet Cab was fitted to the following models:
- Leyland 245 (some models only – earlier versions had the Rattle Cab)
- Leyland 262
- Leyland 272
- Leyland 282
- Leyland 462
- Leyland 472
- Leyland 482
Collectively, these tractors are known as the Leyland Middleweight range. Although the horsepower of these tractors and the front axle (2 wheel drive vs 4 wheel drive) vary, the core cab structure and many components are shared across these models, making parts availability and accuracy especially important for restorers.
The Leyland 245 is an interesting model when buying parts and maybe I need to cover this in more detail in a separate blog. The Leyland 245 can come with either the Quiet cab or the earlier rattle cab as it is a cross-over model between the crash box models and the later Synchromesh (Synchro) models which are mentioned above.
It may also be helpful to mention at this point that export models send outside the UK were often a different specification to the tractors destined for the UK and we often see some of the above models fitted with a rattle cab. In fact, I was speaking to a gentleman in Ireland this afternoon who had a Leyland 262 with the rattle cab, so we had to keep this in mind when we were choosing the correct parts, and when I was searching on our website I was looking for many of the parts as though it was a Leyland 270 tractor.
If you are unsure which parts you need for your model do not hesitate to give Tractor Spare Parts Ltd a call as our friendly and well-informed support staff can help you.
If you're unsure which cab your tractor has take a look at this video on our You Tube channel which explains the difference:
? Which cab do I have on my Leyland tractor?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lql4f9BJ6wE
Expert Engineering & UK Remanufacturing
At Tractor Spare Parts Ltd, we don’t just resell parts — we actively control the engineering and remanufacturing process for a large proportion of the cab components we supply. We have reproduced most of the components for the Leyland Quiet cab, and we manufacture these parts in-house or in the UK where possible. We work with local precision sheet metal fabrication specialists to ensure that the finished product works with our high standards. We know that if there is a problem then we can get it rectified easily as we can go to their works, or they can come to us.
Many of our sheet metal cab parts are manufactured locally in the UK, including:
Many more of the non-metal components are also manufactured in the UK using a range of suppliers. These parts include, but are not limited to:
- Roof lining material
- Cab seat support rubber
- Leatherette gear stick gaiters and hand clutch/handbrake gaiters which are sewn in-house by Joanna who has training in sewing as her Mum owns patchwork and embroidery shop and Joanna has been sewing since she was very young and spent her teenage years teaching sewing classes in her Mum’s shop.
- Internal cab decals, such as the driver safety decals and hydraulic control decals.
These parts are reverse-engineered from original factory components, measured precisely, and produced to ensure:
- Exact fit
- Correct appearance
- Improved durability
Parts such as the mudguards are produced in a modern metric gauge sheet steel, which is a slightly thicker steel, meaning they will often outlast the originals and provide another 40+ years of service. To add to the durability of the reproduction parts we will make slight changes where required. An example of this is the rear window frames, which have a rolled section of metal to make the frame up not a box section. As a result, water can sit in the rolled section and this has caused many of the original windows to rust along the bottom of the window and this can result in the glass falling out and breaking. To help reduce this problem, we have manufactured the correct rolled section like the originals, but there are two drainage holes which help allow at least some of the water to escape.
Key Quiet Cab Restoration Categories
We supply a complete range of cab parts to support full restorations, including:
? Cab Doors
Replacement doors and components engineered for perfect alignment and sealing. We also offer the full range of door accessories, including hinges, inner and outer door handles, slam latches, glazing rubber, door retainer cables and glass.
? Windows & Glazing
Front, rear and side windows, along with glazing rubber profiles manufactured to match original designs. Whether it is the rear window, the sliding window, the glazing rubber or the gas struts for the windows, we stock it all.
The glazing rubber for the windows can be tricky to fit, but with the correct tools and the correct knowledge (and warm weather all helps too!!) it can be done. The glazing rubber comes in different lengths and we have listed the required lengths for the different windows, but if you want an alternative length just let us know. Again, we have created an instructional video which you should watch before putting in the glazing rubber – it will save frustrations.
? How to fit Leyland glazing rubber
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9r_J2MCmGE
? Cab Roofs
UK-manufactured roofs built to original specifications, with authentic 1970s printed roof lining material for factory-correct interiors. We have already discussed the roofs themselves being manufactured in the UK to original specifications, but there is more to the roof than the metal roof. They Leyland Quiet cab and the Rattle can have a white or cream fabric on the inside of the cab which we have reproduced, again using a local manufacturer and our in-house skills with fabric. This ensures that we have the exact fabric to make your Leyland cab restoration feel like it is new again. The fabric that we sell can be easily attached to some upholstery foam with spray adhesive and these details make all the difference to your Leyland restoration.
? Mudguards
Remanufactured in the UK from original patterns, offering superior strength and exact fit, the mudguards and inner skins for the Leyland Quiet cab can bring a rusty cab back to life. The inner skins are welding in-house on our cab jig, but minor fitting is required before you fit them to your tractor. We have discovered that the Leyland factory must have had several different jigs for manufacturing the Quiet cab, and therefore we are unable to make an exact straight fit as there are variations between the tractors. The inner skins require offering up to your tractor before welding in.
? Cab Trim
Interior panels, gaiters, decals and headlining materials reproduced to match original finishes. We have already discussed how the leatherette gaiters and headlining material have been reproduced for the authentic finish to your Leyland restoration.
? Cab Lighting & Electrical
OEM-style replacement lights and modern LED alternatives for improved visibility. Of course the wiring and lighting of the cab is as important as the looks of the restored cab. Ensuring safety with safe electrics and visibility with quality lighting. Tractor Spare Parts Ltd offer an instrument harness which plugs in to ensure safe electricals in your Quiet cab, which only leads of peace of mind.
Authentic Restoration – Not Just Replacement
What makes Tractor Spare Parts different is that we aim for authentic restoration, not generic replacement. We work hared to ensure that all of the parts that we sell are as original and will fit and work straight from the box in which we deliver them to you.
That means:
- Original profiles
- Correct materials
- Period-correct textures and finishes
- Engineering-led manufacturing
Our roof lining material, for example, has been specially printed to replicate the original 1970s pattern, while leatherette gaiters and trim components are manufactured in-house or by trusted UK suppliers.
This ensures that restored cabs don’t just function properly — they look exactly as they did when new.
Designed for Collectors, Restorers & Working Farmers
Whether you’re:
- Restoring a show tractor
- Rebuilding a working machine
- Preserving a family classic
The Leyland Quiet Cab range can now be restored using parts that are:
- Engineered correctly
- Built locally
- Supported by technical experts
And backed by award-winning customer service, recognised through multiple Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Awards, you can rely on Tractor Spare Parts Ltd for supplying the parts for your Leyland Quiet cab restoration.
