BX25 Full Cage Rollbar

[swick1]

I like the design with the plate gusset best. I'm not sure which one would be stronger off the top of my head.

If you do the plate gusset, make sure to wrap your weld bead around the ends rather than stopping short.

 

[scrappy isb67]

...and I considered it but it intrudes on egress and degress. Plus it gets that bend
up at the right height for a cross bar. I plan on a cross bar, horizontal or what one might call
a dashboard or windshield bar plus I'm considering strongbacking the inner
radii of the A Pillar bends. I think I luded to this prior. I have dimple dies.
make it w/ maybe 3/16" plate and a 3/8" rod on the edge or perhaps 1" tube.

All that adding the gussets is going to do is make the tube bend at the ends of the gusset by concentrating all the force on that point. and the bar would only move back mere inches with the bends where I suggested so you are not really losing space for ingress/egress. and the dash bar still will work.
the strongest setup would have NO bends but I understand concessions have to be made. but there is such a thing as too much to the point that nothing at all might be better.

 

[Artisan]

Well....

One should remember that that OE ROPS is designed as "enough".
This is adding to the whole deal.
The tractor goes a whopping 8mph I think, downhill
and 75% of most roll cages are built the same way
I am doing it, and inside race cars. Here are some links to
JEGS, SUMMITRACING, COMP ENG, + all doing what I am
and most w/ a more radical bend too.


Case and Point;
CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE 2

CLICK HERE 3

CLICK HERE 4

...and I could go on. I appreciate the input...please do not get me wrong.

If this was powered by a 401AMC w/ 365HP and 420FT-TRQ and would hit 130MPH
it would be a climb in, triangulated mostrosity.

Frankly I am more concerned w/ those forces one would see in a "roll" over
than an endo landing on the roof. I have to make a decision and it may
mean my windshield horz cross bar ends up being an "X" of sorts or I have
a couple other ideas goin' on.

Thanx for the comments!

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think a lower "windshield bar" that would hold the vertical pipe supports solidly in place when removing it would be more than enough. It looks plenty strong to hold up a BX when air dropped as is. Simple rollover shouldnt move it. I did see a TLB for sale that had rolled over and the whole factory ROPS/FOPS was bend sideways as was the FEL arms but not so much as to compromise the rider. I think yours will do as well of better than OEM.
I was just looking at my B26 and the front support is bent pretty much same as your design but is made from rectangular tubing rather than pipe.

 

[Artisan]

That B26 is a NICE tractor. I have several pics I took a couple weeks ago of
one on the lot, specifically the roll bar. The safety police would go balistic
if they ever saw that ROPS, all them holes drilled in it OE and all. LOL.
I know that ROPS is TOUGH as nails, a few holes ain't gonna hurt nothing.
The FACTORY Proves it in that model specifically. What are there, a total
of 10 holes drilled into the ROPS plus they welded brackets to it... and
I am not being sarcastic, that IS a nice tractor, holes in ROPS and all.

Thank you for the comments Gary.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think there is also some X bracing under the foam in the roof for lateral flex support. I dont see the bolts in your photo but they also have 4 corner bolts with 1/2" thick rubber washer top and bottom that hold the canopy onto the box frame. If you didnt consider that for your canopy, you might want to look at putting some vibration dampeners under your attachment points on top and bottom of your U bolt attachment points.

 

[Gary Fowler]

As for holes weakening a frame, just take a look at some of the super duty (500 ton and above) hydraulic crane booms, they have weight lightening ROUND holes cut almost the full diameter of the sides to reduce weight without compromising the strength. Sometimes these are covered over with light sheet metal to keep birds etc out of them so they are not always noticeable. My point is that a small hole in a piece of structural tubing is not going to compromise the strength.

 

[Artisan]

Noted ALL TU Gary!

 

[Leejohn]

Artisan what is the total hight of your top?

 

[Artisan]

It's about 2" under the top of the OE ROPS

 

[Leejohn]

Kubota has the hight of the BX25 as 85" and are you at 83" then?

 

[Artisan]

Actually about 84"

 

[nuffer460]

Artisan, First off very cool project. Second, I think that a lower winshield bar will be more than good. Like you are saying, It's not speed it's just a slow roll over. With the lower windshield bar tying both "A" post together. They are tied to the hallow bar. That's a fare amout of lateral resistance. Just my thoughts. I know I said it first off, Very Cool!!!

 

[Artisan]

Thanx for the kind words nuffer.
I try to make things look "store bought", if you will.
I flubbed a notch today, time to go get another couple
sticks of tube...

There are 2 kinds of guys who bend cages. Those who
screw up and those whom are going to screw up!
Notching is not for sissies! It is tough!

 

[swick1]

Come on artisan, we need an update. You can do eet!!!

 

[Artisan]

Dude my welder is tied up. I am SO tempted to grab my MIG
gun but I want him to do it. His welds are just beautiful. I am
done. It needs welding is all. I have it all fit up, it is "almost"
perfect. Well, actually since all parts are with .05" of each other
what I see as un-perfect is actually the canopy I think, itis no biggy.

 

[swick1]

Pipe welding is hard. I'd leave those welds to him. Can't wait to see it!

 

[Artisan]

Pipe welding is hard. I'd leave those welds to him. Can't wait to see it!

No plumbers "pipe", Tube it is! :tractor:

 

[swick1]

I guess I'll have to agree considering the source

 

[Artisan]

Welding is done... Fit after welding went better than expected.
Here are a few picks, 2 bolts in every joint and 1" pins in.

It Is A Whole New Tractor....Oh man...it is SO EASY to get in and out now!
I am VERY Pleased! :yes:

I will prob him-haw over it for a while, re-think fire-x amd chainsaw mounts
before I disassembly and paint.

The above parts weigh 59.5Lbs

There is another pair of U-Bolts for the rear anchor. These U-Bolts are tougher
than a 1ton Trucks Axle, 4 are WAY strong enough.