Backhoe bent rops

[Baby Grand]

I think you and your sister's beau need to have a behind the woodshed talk. The truth is out there. Any witness marks on the ROPS?

 

[KubieTwo]

Unless there is also evidence on the backhoe of some variation of backflip, one of the other theories is more probable, and I would more suspect backing under something while on the trailer since there is no mention of driver injury. To do the damage described would be a pretty serious and sudden stop while operating the tractor.

You have established his inability to tell the truth, and I suspect you will soon learn his equal inability to be responsible, if that isn't already evident. If you have any insurance on the tractor, had you checked whether it will cover any part of an accident if you are not the operator? Would HIS homeowners insurance help if he were willing to 'fess up?

 

[funwithahoe]

Quite frankly, I have a talk with your sister about ditching this guy. Anyone can make a mistake but to bring it back and lie and then not even make up a realistic lie? That rops will stop the tractor without bending at normal speeds. Maybe forgot to set the parking break and it rolled down a hill. I really doubt even flipping backwards would bend it - It is designed to save your life - 'Bota wouldn't design it to give like that. I agree wit pevious poster that maybe trailering it he hit a tree.

 

[TripleR]

I can't beat the speculation on possible causes, but I have taught my children that if you borrow anything, you return it with a full tank and if anything breaks while in your possession, you pay for it.

I personally don't borrow equipment, nor do I loan it to anyone outside my immediate family.

 

[radioman]

rops moved 30 degrees ? hmmm. forward means towards the operator ? I wouldnt be too concerned with the ROPS . Its pretty stout materail and it did its job. Just be thankful that it didnt kill him, in fact saved his life. I am not sure IF I would like someone killed on my BX. I would inspect the base where the rops bolts to. Exactly what is letting the rops be bent 30 degrees ? the folding joint ? rop frame it self? stretched bolts or bent bolts on base of tractor ?

Before jumping on him, I'd check where its bent. Go check his deck, his garage doors. Afterall - if your sister does marry him, you be stuck with a bad cloud as a future brother in law. SO go out and gather facts and put it together the best you can. Have him help you repair it, just point out what you see is bent or scratches and just pretend you wonder and mosey on the repair. chances are his guilt will cause him to fess up, otherwise its gonna be a tough relationship with your sister boyfreind.

 

[Big Bri]

this is probably a stupid question but was he pulling something from the ROP
i know that sounds stupid but if pulling from there it could slowly bend, and the drive wouldn't feel any huge forces. Just a thought

 

[ritschner]

Not familiar with the backhoe on the BX, is there anyway the backhoe itself will hit the ROPS? It would probably have enough force to bend the ROPS. Most transport the tractor with the backhoe elevated enough that backing in to anything would hit the boom.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Perhaps the part of the woodpile he hit wasn't quite cut to burning length yet? It could be that he parked it in the wrong place, and dropped a tree on it. there might be some marks on the BH boom if that was the case.

 

[radioman]

Not familiar with the backhoe on the BX, is there anyway the backhoe itself will hit the ROPS? It would probably have enough force to bend the ROPS. Most transport the tractor with the backhoe elevated enough that backing in to anything would hit the boom.

Not a chance. On my BX24, the boom doesn't even come close to ROPS, I'm sure its same as BX23. I'll have to measure but eyeballing its a good 2-3 feet away from rops in closest position. IF the boom does come to ROPS, I'd be crushed since operator has to sit underneath the ROPS area when operating the BH.

Another thought of how ROPS could be bent, like someone else suggested is tie a rope to ROPS and pull with it. BIG nono.

 

[IdahoTractor]

At least there we no apparent injuries; the situation could have been much worse.

This incident should remind us all to check our homeowners insurance policies to see what is and isn't covered by the policy as it relates to the tractor. I know that my policy covers property damages on another person's property caused by the tractor, but not any damage to the tractor itself. I could pay for coverage of the tractor, but it is ridiculously expensive. Nor does my policy cover medical if someone else other than an immediate family member (those living in the household) is injured while operating my machine off my property. Thus, I never let others "borrow" my tractor. There are plenty of places to rent similar equipment.

 

[Big Bri]

At least there we no apparent injuries; the situation could have been much worse.

This incident should remind us all to check our homeowners insurance policies to see what is and isn't covered by the policy as it relates to the tractor. I know that my policy covers property damages on another person's property caused by the tractor, but not any damage to the tractor itself. I could pay for coverage of the tractor, but it is ridiculously expensive. Nor does my policy cover medical if someone else other than an immediate family member (those living in the household) is injured while operating my machine off my property. Thus, I never let others "borrow" my tractor. There are plenty of places to rent similar equipment.

That is such a good statement. I do worry about what someone who is not familiar to my tractor will do to it and what they may do to them selves.
It is tough to say no to family. . . but sometimes it just has to be done. Heck my dad to this day won't loan any of his kids his pressure washer. (he loves that thing) but he will clean anything for you.

 

[twinsticks]

pics on my original post on page one tell me what you think

 

[tommu56]

my money is bar folded down and then some one moved hoe back and hit it with boom just a guess.

look on the top of the bar for a mark where it was hit if folded.

tom

 

[twinsticks]

Well waiting for the dealer to get back to me but he said for a bx 24 or 25 it was 525 plus shippng plus 1 hour to look at machine at 175 plus 2 hours labor to install. Looks like gonna be around 1000 dollars. Thats if nothing else is damaged....

 

[rdsaustintx]

Wow

 

[TalonDancer]

Observations:
* The bend in the ROP is surprisingly symmetrical.
* There is no clear evidence of point contact on the surfaces in the pics
* it would take a lot of force/leverage to bend BOTH sides at the same time
* the force was probably applied fairly slowly since there are no obvious "impact" marks

So my guess it that the tractor was on a trailer with the ROPS up and was backed into a smooth stable object (e.g. a garage door header). The car/truck applied the force and the 'garage header' (or equivalent) at the top of the ROPS applied the leverage

FWIW a novice who didn't know the correct angle on a BX ROPS might not have realized that the contact caused any damage. Particularly if it happened before they actually used it.

Talon Dancer

 

[aczlan]

Observations:
<snip/>
So my guess it that the tractor was on a trailer with the ROPS up and backed into a smooth stable surface (e.g. a garage door header).

Or the outer deck beam when the aforementioned swain tried to lift/pull an oversized rock with the stick extended way out under the deck.

Aaron Z

 

[legbuh]

I'd say to him "whatever happened, you're paying for all the damage that is found... woodpile or not".

 

[DiezNutz]

This incident should remind us all to check our homeowners insurance policies to see what is and isn't covered by the policy as it relates to the tractor. I know that my policy covers property damages on another person's property caused by the tractor, but not any damage to the tractor itself. I could pay for coverage of the tractor, but it is ridiculously expensive. Nor does my policy cover medical if someone else other than an immediate family member (those living in the household) is injured while operating my machine off my property. Thus, I never let others "borrow" my tractor. There are plenty of places to rent similar equipment.

Exactly, which is why mine stays put.
But if I hypothetically were to loan it out, as I sometimes do with less complicated/less expensive tools & equipment, then this:

I'd say to him "whatever happened, you're paying for all the damage that is found...

Is the conversation to have beforehand, not afterward.
Take it or leave it, my feelings won't be hurt.

It's a real shame that this is the thanks the OP gets for trying to be a nice guy and help somebody out. As far as I'm concerned, he shouldn't even have to ask the BF to pay for damages, if the BF had any scruples he would have already offered, along with his sincere apology.

 

[TripleR]

It's a real shame that this is the thanks the OP gets for trying to be a nice guy and help somebody out. As far as I'm concerned, he shouldn't even have to ask the BF to pay for damages, if the BF had any scruples he would have already offered, along with his sincere apology.

Agree completely, that tells you something about the person right off.