S550G ROPS mod

[WWHQ]

After a few clutch pops and unexpected loss of contact with the ground, I was reading stats on rollover deaths and got inspired to make this improvement for safety sake.
A manufactured ROPS for the Satoh 550 was crazy expensive ($1400.00 FOB Ontario Canada) I was unable to get a guarantee of fit from the seller. Having worked in industrial design and metal fabrication in another life, long ago, I did my own design. My Engineer friend reviewed it and told me it was total overkill... so I built it that way anyway.
For $100.00 bucks in steel and hardware, I fired up the welder and made the pictured ROPS.
Simple plate attachment behind the top link plate and braced to the axle struts. It provides better visibility for the marker lights and a better location for the working lamp for blowing snow on late winter nights.

 

[Utah Bison]

Nice addition to a very nice tractor.
Could you get a picture of the mounting braces?
You mind a copycat?

Lee

 

[skylarkguy]

very nice

 

[WWHQ]

Copy away! that is the great thing about this forum... the shared ideas on improvements and repair are great.
I will take some better shots of the braces in the am and post. If your fenders are like mine you will see there is a solid bar strap inside the fender welded to the axle assembly. These bars have a predrilled hole in each. Before these two small braces were in place the assembly vibrated a bit. it stiffened right up as soon as they were bolted in.
I also added some 1" flat bar tabs with holes to hold spare clevis pins or to tie of the top link when it is not in use. Here is a shot of the raw frame before install

 

[WWHQ]

Here are the shots of the braces. Note that you may need to adjust (bend )the PTO lever inward about an inch to allow more clearance for operating it with thick mitts, required 50% of the time here in Ontario ... and often in the changeable climate of Utah!
have fun with it!

 

[Utah Bison]

Thanks WWHQ,
I like it, will have to start the creation soon. Whats the thickness of the square tube you used? May add some forward bars for a sun shade/snow cover.
A shade may help with my redneck when mowing

Lee

 

[WWHQ]

Thanks WWHQ,
I like it, will have to start the creation soon. Whats the thickness of the square tube you used? May add some forward bars for a sun shade/snow cover.
A shade may help with my redneck when mowing

Lee

I used 3/16 wall 2"square ms tube.
Funny you mentioned the sun shade... That's what I'm on tomorrow if we don't start partying too early, Canada day tomorrow !!!!
I think I will just use some 1/4 " rod to frame some sun proof vinyl mesh I got at Lowes today. My neck is getting red for sure! It hit 105 degrees with 90 percent humidity today... Need a shade!
Have fun Lee... Post pics if you get a chance.