Decapitate my PT (ROPS)?

FOURTEEN · Jan 7, 2006

( I may even leave it off. )

 The canopy also reduces the risk of skin cancer!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Spiffy · Jan 8, 2006

I though about that too, but realized that the old wide brimmed straw hat works just fine yet!

I'm married, don't need to be impressing anyone anyway! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

J_J · Jan 8, 2006

I don't know how much room you require to get your machine into the garage, but do you think you could cut a section out of the rops vertical tubing, say 8 in. Then weld in a solid piece of square steel, about 15 in long with pin holes in the right place to lock the sections together. The canopy could be raised/lowered by two hyd cylinders, either manual pump or using the quick attach hydraulic lines I can not visualize how much room you would have to drive the machine in and out in the lowered position. You could use a cardboard cut out to test this. This would be a neat trick if you can do it.

MossRoad · Jan 9, 2006

Hey, a power sunroof! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Spiffy · Jan 9, 2006

Sunroof... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Actually J.J., I'd be close, but I think would work; would probably have to duck or slouch just a bit when I lowered it. I think someone else mentioned it too, but I sure appreciate the suggestion!

Of course, the irony is now I rather like having it off; but come summer even with a big 'ol straw hat on, I may change my mind! It could just live on the trailer when it's warm enough though. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RegL · Jan 10, 2006

( I don't know how much room you require to get your machine into the garage, but do you think you could cut a section out of the rops vertical tubing, say 8 in. Then weld in a solid piece of square steel, about 15 in long with pin holes in the right place to lock the sections together. The canopy could be raised/lowered by two hyd cylinders, either manual pump or using the quick attach hydraulic lines I can not visualize how much room you would have to drive the machine in and out in the lowered position. You could use a cardboard cut out to test this. This would be a neat trick if you can do it.

)

Just don't miscalculate that travel or they will start calling you NO NECK.

J_J · Jan 10, 2006

It would be easy to test how much head room one has if a section is cut out for raising and lowering. Make a cardboard box the same depth that you are planning to cut out, and duct tape it to the underside of the canopy and sit in the seat and see if you can operate the PT enough to get it in the garage and back out. If you can operate within those limits, You should be all right.

Spiffy · Jan 12, 2006

Thinking of your post, I took note of the opening height when I drove it out today. With a stocking cap poofed up pretty good, it's 0 clearance.

So it could be done, but if I left any extra clearance, RegL's NoNeck joke might strike home. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh well, it's a couple months off yet, but I'm thinking spring. That means I have to turn my attention back to that stump cutter and a couple other summer time mods first....you'd think I would have taken care of those by now /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

J_J · Jan 12, 2006

I think you would be safe for this reason. When you lower the canopy, the upper edge of the square tubing will only go as far as to meet up with the lower square tubing. The solid bar would be in the middle, and welded to either upper or lower square tubing. Hydraulic cylinders would be attached to the upper and lower square tubing. The hydraulic cylinder would be positioned at the fully closed position when the canopy is in the lower position. I have given some thought to this, and should work fine. The only problem that I can see is sufficient head room while going in and out the garage. If one can drive the unit in and out for a couple of minutes even scrunched down, it will work just fine.

MuncyBob · Jan 12, 2006

"If one can drive the unit in and out for a couple of minutes even scrunched down, it will work just fine. "

That's exactly how I have to drive the Farmal in/out my garage...and that was after cutting 3" off the exhaust pipe on the muffler. Was awkward at first but as anything else, once you do it enough times it becomes 2nd nature.l