Stupid F#$%^(* ROPS

PeterK · Sep 1, 2009

Ok, I've been fighting this thing long enough. The BX 24 ROPS is too tall to get into the garage, constantly worried about taking out a wall with it. Yes, I know the tennis ball on a string trick to remind me too. So it has to fold to get in and out of the garage.

But even outside I have to leave it down. Too tall to mow around the yard under trees. First time I used the BX I split a crab apple down the middle when the ROPS hooked it. It was a large 30 year old crab too and the part that split was over 6" diameter - the trunk was ~10". Lots of power and I was laughing then but now it's gotten to be a PITA.

I leave it down all the time unless I'm using the FEL. I've only used the BH once so that sits in a corner of my garage. Leaving the ROPS folded down creates a 4 foot wing that is also dangerous. I've taken out a window while mowing close then turning, damaged several trees with the adjusting knob (broke one of those too). Yesterday I took out my wife's favorite ceramic bird feeders. What were they thinking? Why didn't they just design the thing to fold all the way down instead of 1/2 down? Is there a mod I could do?

I have a hard top soft cab from a 2350, but my ROPS sits outside like a stupid wing out the back. So I can't back closer to anything closer than the ROPS will allow.

In the garage, it has to stay folded to keep from taking out a standard garage door. So this stupid wing has nearly knocked me silly when I do maintenance and stand up into it. I hate this thing.

I know it's a safety issue and I'd prefer a shorter one, maybe swap out the taller one when I finally do have a need for the BH. Re-reading this I wonder if it is more of a safety issue folded down than up. But in the up position, I can't use the tractor in a yard with trees.

So .. . what are my options? Mod to fold this one down? Will a 2350 top section fit the BX24? H E L P Anyone got a used one from a 2350 for reasonable $$?

KeithInSpace · Sep 1, 2009

I'd ask the dealer what a 2350 ROPS would sell for. It may be less expensive than you think.

I personally run my Woods BH on my BX2230 with "normal" ROPS and have no problems at all running the BH. Haven't ever given it a thought, to be honest. I've never run the BH on a BX23, 24, or 25 and I'm sure the easter-basket ROPS is as roomy as a Cadillac, but I simply see no reason for it to be so big.

I think you're barking up the right tree.

Deano · Sep 1, 2009

Someone posted how they cut it down and re-welded theirs. I have looked at mine and have been thinking about doing the mod also. I haven't tore up as much stuff as you have (knock on wood) but I have smashed my head into it NUMEROUS

times when hooking things to the three point hitch.

Deano

Reg · Sep 1, 2009

Maybe tractors just "aren't for YOU " ?

Machinery doesn't HAVE stupidity, it is inanimate.

radioman · Sep 1, 2009

I also hated the way the BX rops folded down too. I had alot of trees to mow under and the rops is too high. I ended up taking the top half of rops off for a long time. I finally got the courage to cut all the tree branches up high enough for the rops to go under. I ended up with several trailer loads worth to burn/chip. Anyway, I seen the way my fathers MF folds down all the way and it makes sense and don't understand why kubota makes BX stop half way where it can chip the darn paint!!!!

I even banged my head a few times when I went down to the 3pt to hook up something when I parked the implement under a tree branch too low for the BX. SIGH! beleive me peterk I know how you feel.

After I finally built a new garage (needed a excuse to use the BX- lol) for the BX high enough doors, cut all low offending tree branches , I now can say I have the rops back on and up all the time.

All I can say for you peterk, perhaps you could look into how you can improve using your BX on your lot and see what works for you. New taller garage doors ? (i couldn't do that with mine due to way it was built) new garage? use a portable garage kit ? take tractor to welding shop and have them cut it down enough ? who knows? only you know what best on your lot.

Bigkrank · Sep 1, 2009

I leave the high factory bar down on my B2630 and bent a round one out of roll bar tubing that doesn't stick up as high. I welded solid plugs in the end and drilled and tapped it for two bolts so I can take it off if I ever need to. It fastens thru the holes that lock the original one up.

Redbug · Sep 1, 2009

The rops on my L3830 has a position where it will fold down half way for going under limbs, etc. I wonder why that option is not with all the models, (save on costs)? I wonder if the bolt holes would line up to do a swap with another model?

PeterK · Sep 1, 2009

Reg said:
Maybe tractors just "aren't for YOU " ?

Machinery doesn't HAVE stupidity, it is inanimate.

I'll rephrase just for you. Stupid design(ers) who designed the BX24 ROPS. What were they thinking? Oh yeah, they weren't thinking of the impact (pun intended) of practical usage of the BX for the average +-5 acre home owner that has trees, landscape, and a normal height garage door opening.

90% of my tractor usage is for mowing and snow removal, 10% FEL work, grading, pulling a trailer, and chipping. I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that this is the target for marketing the BX series.

/pine · Sep 1, 2009

just an opinion (not trying to be a smartazz) but maybe a smaller lawn mower is the answer? i.e., a machine made more for working in close quarters to immovable objects?

I mow a rather large yard with many trees and my riding mower is much more adept at manuvering around trees, shrubs etc. than my tractor

ray66v · Sep 1, 2009

PeterK said:
I'll rephrase just for you. Stupid design(ers) who designed the BX24 ROPS. What were they thinking? Oh yeah, they weren't thinking of the impact (pun intended) of practical usage of the BX for the average +-5 acre home owner that has trees, landscape, and a normal height garage door opening.

90% of my tractor usage is for mowing and snow removal, 10% FEL work, grading, pulling a trailer, and chipping. I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that this is the target for marketing the BX series.

Thank the US department of meddling fools, (aka Congress). Designers of a ROPS are required to build them, following federal regulations that dictate the size.

Roll-Over Protective Structures - 70:76979-77025

The top of the ROPS= 30'' inches above the highest point the part of the seat you sit on, can be set at. The inside dimension of the frame is 24" wide. I would assume these are minimum dimensions.

It should be obvious to everyone that the designers of ALL tractors, can't be oblivious to the fact that this is an issue.