Self-propelled earth working machine having a canopy variable in length in the longitudinal direction of the machine

A self-propelled earth working machine comprising:

• a machine frame defining a longitudinal machine direction between a front and a rear of the machine frame;
• a plurality of tracks or wheels supporting the machine frame;
• a working apparatus supported from the machine frame for earth working;
• a power source supported from the machine frame for providing power to the working apparatus;
• an operator's platform;
• and
• a canopy configured to at least partially cover the operator's platform, the canopy having a variable canopy area variable in the longitudinal machine direction;
• wherein the canopy includes a base section and an extension section, the extension section being extendable and retractable relative to the base section in the longitudinal machine direction, and the variable canopy area being variable as a function of an extension length by which the extension section is extended from the base section;
• wherein the extension section includes a flexible canopy area material for forming at least a portion of the variable canopy area;
• wherein the extension section includes a lead component distinct from the flexible canopy area material, the lead component being movable away from and toward the base section in the longitudinal machine direction, the flexible canopy area material being disposed between the lead component and the base section;
• and
• wherein the canopy further includes a guide structure extending between the base section and the lead component and configured to guide extension and retraction of the lead component relative to the base section, the guide structure being configured to hold the canopy in a cantilevered position relative to the base section when the lead component is extended from a fully retracted position toward a fully extended position.