DIY: ROPS Canopy on a budget

[TXHF]

I don't even have the tractor yet and already have two DIYs. This was inspired by #Luke'sScreenName after reading his $40 canopy. I did not have as much material on hand as Luke did so I've got about $80 in mine.

First, I took a chance and went to a local Golf cart place. They weren't just a dealer but they also rebuild and customize. Guy asks how he can help and I barely started explaining that I'm looking for a used golf cart canopy, nothing special.... he stops me and says "You bought a tractor, right?" Yeah, I did... He said he gets a lot of tractor owners inquiring about these. Yes, he does have two different styles. I picked the Yamaha one after a few measurements. I asked how much and he says "A case of Miller Lite." "Seriously?" I said... I asked if he had bigger ones. "Yup, sure do but those ain't used. You're going from a case of beer to $200.00" I said "Cans or bottles?" I went down the street and picked up a case, drove back and swapped for this. The measurements fit quite well!

 

[TXHF]

I had some 1/4" sheet aluminum from an old sign I scavenged from a prior work place that was 22" wide. I cut two plates off it that are 4" at the bottom and 15" at the top to create the gussets to mount to the ROPS using the 1/2" U-bolt kits typically used for trailer axles. I bought two 48"x1" sq. tubes for the struts and 6 SS bolts to attach them to the gussets. At the front of the canopy, the outside edge of the mount points were 39 1/2" apart so adding the struts to the outside of them gave me the 41 1/2" I needed to fit the outside span of the ROPS. I had some 1" steel sq pipe and cut two mount braces to fit in the canopy slots and drilled and bolted these together. At the rear, there are two post holes in the canopy. I cut two pieces of PT 2x4 to snug into the holes then drilled through them to attach the metal strapping. Once I get this positioned on the tractor ROPS, I'll locate and drill my U-bolt holes to give the proper lean to the canopy then bend the strapping over the plates and bolt the rear to the gussets. I chose this strapping with holes for another purpose. I intend to mount LED lighting and one or two small fans to this.

It seems to be very sturdy and if I pick it up by the two handles, it is very well balanced at that point. I'll be sure to get some shots of it on the tractor when I'm done. The tractor is in but they are waiting for the backhoe bucket which should be here Monday (tomorrow). Unless something changes, I'll be picking it up Saturday morning and getting these items done so we can get to work on the property.

 

[TXHF]

We picked up the tractor this morning and I put the canopy on out at the land. Fit like a glove! Very sturdy too. Doesn't hinder line of sight.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Nicely done! I wouldn't have had the guts to build it without the tractor on-hand. :thumbsup:

 

[TXHF]

Thanks Luke! I had gone to the dealer and taken all the necessary measurements of the ROPS and engineered this to exact dimensions. I swear this Yamaha top was made for the 2538!

 

[TXHF]

I'm a bit OCD... I noticed the two legs aren't level. The holes for the U-bolts are not even side-to-side. That's going to bug me until I fix it now.... LOL!

 

[TractorGuy]

Are you sure you don't need to just loosen and adjust. If it were me I would have drilled the two side plates together so they had to match.

 

[dragoneggs]

Crikey! First tractor mod I have seen before tractor arrival... way to go!

 

[TXHF]

Are you sure you don't need to just loosen and adjust. If it were me I would have drilled the two side plates together so they had to match.

Oh sure! Suggest that now! LOL! Why didn't I think of that?

I'm going to slot the holes much like the OEM brackets to give adjustment room. I need to get out there in the rain to see where it will be running off the canopy. I'll adjust it to be sure it runs where I want it to. The good news is, my 27 acres is quite flat. We have a runoff that snakes through the middle of it to drain heavy rains but the rest is quite flat.

 

[TXHF]

Crikey! First tractor mod I have seen before tractor arrival... way to go!

LOL! Thanks! The canopy is actually the second mod. The first was my DIY T post driver to mount to the bucket. I'm going to mount that soon and get some video of it in action.

The canopy is very simple... one cover, two plates, two struts and bolts. With the ROPS dimensions, it was easy to mock it up at home and know it would fit when I picked up the tractor. BTW, the 2538 ROPS is 2"x3" tubes and 41 1/2" at the widest point in case anyone searches for this.