JD 3005 full cage ROPS/FOPS build

[dieselcrawler]

As I said, a few minutes here and there...

One evening I drilled the pilot holes, pictured in my last post. Another, I drilled them out up to 3/8"+ clearance, another I ran a flap disk over the holes to knock the burrs from drilling off... tonight I ground a bevel on the mating edges, where these little pieces will be joined end to end. I still need to cut out some gusset material, we have a metal shear at work I might be able to use for that, as my plan calls for 24 of them.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Got a bit more done today. Tacked the flange pieces onto the lower front mount 'clamshells', and got the front risers welded to them as well.





Want to get these pieces finish welded with the gussets I still need to add, sanded and painted, before I weld it to the top hoop. Once I do, it becomes one big heavy piece that I cannot handle alone, and will need the hoist to lift on and off. So much easier to move around small pieces when using the side grinder on them, and painting with primer. Naturally I will leave the edges where future welding will happen bare.

 

[TractorGuy]

Good work!

I was thinking about doing the same but ended up having our property clear cut so the limbs are less of a danger.

I have done the opposite on width and run my little tractor in the narrow position to get around tight spaces.

My seat belt was gone when I bought mine and I'm thinking I need to get a new one. I replaced my seat with stock but I might mount a racecar seat to hold me on better. Been hanging on to the rails on the fenders to stay on while I'm cleaning up after the loggers.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Was hoping to spend some time on this project over the weekend, but no luck. Last week, I was able to cut up some small diamond shaped pieces of metal to use as gussets, have about half of what I need, maybe I can get the rest cut over the next few days, and work on this over the holiday weekend. 4 days off will be nice, but there's some fence that needs dealt with, and deer season comes in today, so I'd like to put some meat in the freezer too.... always something.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Made this tube chassis out of 3/16" brake line, for a mouse trap car. Class project for our oldest son...



Then did some welding on the tractor FOPS.



All 24 gussets are welded in... aside from grinding and smoothing the rough edges, the bottoms of these posts are done. I'm going to primer them next... then weld to the top hoop.

 

[sixdogs]

Nice work and very creative.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Finished the boy's mousetrap car last night... so I finally got back to the tractor project for a few minutes tonight after dinner. I decided to add another small gusset at the junction of the front post and the loader mounts, so I welded them in. I'm hoping the weather is nice enough to get them cleaned up and primered this weekend.

Sorry no pictures.

 

[ovrszd]

Okay,,,,, don't everybody jump on me..... Greg invited me.

I'm all about his bolt on idea. I struggled with this a lot. I'm not talented enough to go about it like he did. Great work on his part. Don't pay any attention to my orange paint, it's just a fad.

I too worried about worst cast scenario. I operate my tractor in steep timber a lot. I had no faith in my factory ROPS saving me. I had a canopy from an old John Deere backhoe so decided I could build the frame.

I first built a "canopy" style overhead. Immediately realized if I tipped the tractor over the canopy would be what killed me. So added front posts. Now I have no worries whatsoever.

Regrets. I should have designed the front posts/top canopy so tree limbs that contact the front posts would have slid over without getting hung up. I built in an overhang on the top which now catches tree limbs..... Oh well....

I bolted the rear of my canopy to the factory ROPS. So if I remove it, no damage done.



I bent a U shaped piece of flat iron and welded it to my FEL frame. Then welded a plate to the bottom of my front posts and bolted the two together.



Finished product. Even bought Kubota stickers. A couple neighbors have commented on the fact that my tractor has a factory canopy. I just smile and say I built it. They always seem surprised. WHAT,,, don't they think that's possible???

 

[dieselcrawler]

Richard, nice work! I'm honored to have your contribution added to my thread!

You could still add limb risers from the grill guard to the front of the canopy... I would in your case, and will on mine also.

 

[ovrszd]

Richard, nice work! I'm honored to have your contribution added to my thread!

You could still add limb risers from the grill guard to the front of the canopy... I would in your case, and will on mine also.

Yeah, I've saw those used. Actually Rustyiron has some on his Kubota. I invited him over here. Hope you don't mind. Thanks for sharing your thread. Your fabrication quality is far superior to mine!!!! Love the square tubing clamps you made. I'm soooo jealous......

 

[Jim Timber]

Richard, that's a slick design. I've been contemplating how I'd integrate the A pillars to the loader mounts myself.

I'm curious why you didn't tie into the side plates though?

 

[Rustyiron]

Did some one say limb riser's?:laughing:
I had to "wiggle" them around the exhaust and allow for the hood to open. As you can see the front attaches to the cab roof sub frame and the very utilitarian grill guard. It's 2x3x 3/16 tube that matches the factory ROPS. It saved my grill & hood just last week & took a good thumping from a stuck log chained to the grapple up high at grill level that all of a sudden cut loose & swung to the tractor.

 

[Rustyiron]

One little thing I did when building the canpoy that take's up no space and is way more handy than I ever thought it would be is to provide a space on your new front pillar to mount a digging bar for attaching 3 pt. stuff and a lot of other things-if you have one with you!:thumbsup:
It's a little hard to see (its painted orange) but one pic shows the bottom mount and the other the top tab with a hole in it that you slide the top of the bar into. This is about a 4' "pinch bar" as I know them to be called.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Eric (rustyiron), thanks for your contribution as well. I admire your fabrication abilities.

 

[ovrszd]

Richard, that's a slick design. I've been contemplating how I'd integrate the A pillars to the loader mounts myself.

I'm curious why you didn't tie into the side plates though?

Sorry, I dont understand the question?

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Ovrszd, I'm mentally planning my cage. Do the 'A' pillars get in the way of ingress or egress at all? Have you knocked your head on it?

 

[Jim Timber]

Sorry, I dont understand the question?

You made an upside down U and placed two welds on the cross tubes. Why not make a L and weld to the vertical side of the loader mount and the cross tube?

 

[ovrszd]

You made an upside down U and placed two welds on the cross tubes. Why not make a L and weld to the vertical side of the loader mount and the cross tube?

The vertical is cast. It is not a flat smooth surface on the backside. Throw in the fact that it also would be an almost blind weld and it was just easier to do it like I did. I'm a bit lazy and always look for easy.

 

[ovrszd]

Ovrszd, I'm mentally planning my cage. Do the 'A' pillars get in the way of ingress or egress at all? Have you knocked your head on it?

Surprisingly they are not in the way at all. Never know they are there. I welded a grab handle on the left one but never use it. This certainly is not because I thought about it in my design. It just worked out that way.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I have had egress in mind ever since I put the plywood top on mine and smacked my head the first time. The front post will only hinder getting a 5 gallon can onto the hood to fuel up, but I tryed the in and out routine a few times during the mock up stage, no issues. Like Richard, I will likely add handles to the front post, but more for use in the seat, not egress. The last thing I want to do in a rollover situation is grab for a place to brace myself, grab the post, and get my fingers smashed.