converting ROPS to foldable

johann · Jun 8, 2010

has any one converted their rigid ROPS to the foldable ones ? I am well aware of the fact that it voids the warantee, and that it is a safety issue. 99% of the time that I am on my machine there is absolutely no chance of a roll over,but there is a 99% chance that the ROPS is getting in the way. I know that bx 2200 has a foldaway rops I am not sure what year, but it must be after mine (2001).
So any thoughts? Smaller diameter sleeve inside? weld on hinges?

Just2quickz28 · Jun 8, 2010

I believe your better off getting a Foldable ROPs from a BX## TLB series the BX24 has a foldable rops, and I believe its a bolt on.

Gary Fowler · Jun 8, 2010

I personally would not have a problem with using the exact or heavier materail and duplication of the hinge mechanism on a later model and welding it on myself. I guess this depends on your welding skills. As long as the design is maintained, I dont see a problem with you mimicking the fabrication of the design. Who welds it on is not as important as the design of the hinge. Make sure the pins you use to secure it are of the same grade as the ones on the factory assembled one also. They have to be of equal shear strength as factory pins. If you follow the design to the letter, you should have no fear of structural failure should it ever be needed.

Leejohn · Jun 8, 2010

I made my B7800 to fold. I did it just like a Kioti DK35 ROPS, worked out good.
I also took 4" out of my L4240 so that I could get it into my shop. I can take some pictures if you like. You would have to good "real" good to tell it on the L4240.

Soundguy · Jun 8, 2010

if you could find a pre made, certified folding rops that fit other units and was certified for yours.. I'd feel ok putting that one on.

soundguy

Leejohn · Jun 8, 2010

Who certifies them and where do you go to get that done? Another point to look at, if you don't have your seat belt on, there goes about 95% of the protection. How many of us wear the seat belt?

Soundguy · Jun 8, 2010

check with kubota.. or on the rops sticker..

soundguy

Egon · Jun 8, 2010

Who certifies them and where do you go to get that done?

If you want to go that route be prepared to spend some money!

wvpolekat · Jun 8, 2010

Leejohn said:
Who certifies them and where do you go to get that done? Another point to look at, if you don't have your seat belt on, there goes about 95% of the protection. How many of us wear the seat belt?

Every time I get on it, before I turn the key.

beenthere · Jun 8, 2010

Never have worn it.
Should I take the ROPS off?

Soundguy · Jun 8, 2010

no seatbelt, no rops.

( I wear the set belt on my single rops equipped tractor any time on on it. )

rops with no seatbelt is just another thing to crush you..

soundguy

jbarker855 · Jun 8, 2010

Gary Fowler said:
I personally would not have a problem with using the exact or heavier materail and duplication of the hinge mechanism on a later model and welding it on myself. I guess this depends on your welding skills. As long as the design is maintained, I dont see a problem with you mimicking the fabrication of the design. Who welds it on is not as important as the design of the hinge. Make sure the pins you use to secure it are of the same grade as the ones on the factory assembled one also. They have to be of equal shear strength as factory pins. If you follow the design to the letter, you should have no fear of structural failure should it ever be needed.

Gary has the right idea here. Good design, good material, good welding and you should be all set. Leejohn also has the right idea that the seatbelt really needs to be worn to gain any real protection from ROPS.
I think some people make way too big a deal about building or modifying a ROPS. Like if you fart on it, it should be re-certified for structural integrity. It is not made of some magical material by a wizard on another planet. It's really just a glorified bar of metal placed in strategic location. In the event of a rollover, they are really not even placed in a serious mechanical disadvantage. Very strong design by nature.
In my opinion, anyone that has modified the braking or suspension system on their hotrod car has undertaken just as serious of an endeavor, and this is done all the time.
Have at it! Be safe!
-Jay

Soundguy · Jun 8, 2010

it' s not about magic.. it's about liability to some extent.. and engineering and materials to another extent.

the person modifying the rops may or may not have a better design than oem, and may or may not have used materials or techniques better than oem.. however.. once he modifies it.. he loses any liability protection.. and in fact I can think of ways he takes on liability himself if another gets hurt using the machine and it boils down to a failure that the oem rops would have survived.

in many things in this world you don't need to worry about the engineers.. you need to worry about the jury....

soundguy

jbarker855 said:
I think some people make way too big a deal about building or modifying a ROPS. Like if you fart on it, it should be re-certified for structural integrity. It is not made of some magical material by a wizard on another planet. It's really just a glorified bar of metal placed in strategic location. In the event of a rollover, they are really not even placed in a serious mechanical disadvantage. Very strong design by nature.
In my opinion, anyone that has modified the braking or suspension system on their hotrod car has undertaken just as serious of an endeavor, and this is done all the time.
Have at it! Be safe!
-Jay

PILOON · Jun 8, 2010

I, for one, would feel very comfortable modifying a ROPs in the following way.

Find a suitable tubing that fits inside the rops fairly snugly, but loose enough to pull out.
One side would be welded, Rosette method and the other would be held in place with 3/8 graded pin.
The inserts would be 1 gauge thicker than ROP stock tube and insert would be 6" into both sections of the ROPs.

This method essentially is what FAA approves for splicing of aircraft structures, so it should be OK for a ROPS.

Normal disclaimers apply!

Soundguy · Jun 8, 2010

I agree... likely stronger than oem.. and still voids liability protection...

soundguy

jbarker855 · Jun 8, 2010

Soundguy-
You are absolutely right. If one can get sued for serving a cup of coffee that is too hot, you certainly could get sued for the modified ROPS. Luckily, I don't have to worry about this. I am the only one who used my tractor. Also, if I rolled it and injured myself, I am not the kind of person that would try to cash in by suing tractor manufacturer (and then losing the suit because I modified ROPS). But you do bring up a valid point.
-Jay

Soundguy · Jun 8, 2010

Yep.. weird world we live in.. the coffee one just amazes me. but yeah.. I wasn't hacking on you.. you illustrate the point well.

soundguy

MichiganIron · Jun 8, 2010

Think you would ever want to sell the tractor?? Will the next owner know the ROP was modified, or would that only be drug out by a Personal Injury Attorney??

It's the world we made by ourselves .... for ourselves.

Soundguy · Jun 8, 2010

yep.. if ever sold I'd sell the rops as scrap meta to the next owner, or as a sun shade holder.. and I'd remove the rops certificate.

I've seen dealers do that before.. sell a homade rops as scrap metal to the purchaser.. etc.

soundguy