Drilling Holes in Roll Over Bar for Lights

[OzGrasshopper]

I'm about to add 2 extra lights to my 3120 J D tractor, and want to attach them to the underside of the ROP, but a friend of mine says that the steel used in ROP bars is much harder than normal steel tube of that size?
Can anyone confirm this or not?
If I can't drill it easily, i will use 2 u bolts, but I also wanted to run the power leads inside the ROP so as not to catch on things.
I need the extra lights, one front facing one back, because when moving hay on hay forks at night, the 2 front lights mounted within the front grill shine straight into the bale.... any advice or experience appreciated ...
Cheers OzG

 

[adirondackmtnman]

I did the same on my 5045, the headlights were atrocious after installing my grill guard. It's just mild steel, but just like anything else, drill a smaller pilot hole, then step up to the finished size. Use enough oil and go slow, at your own risk of course...wouldn't want the ROPS modification police after me...;-)

Sent from my LGL35G using TractorByNet

 

[lostcreekranch]

Dragoneggs started a post called "LED light install... BUT look mom, no holes!'" where he used some Click Bond devices instead of drilling holes in his ROPS. Sorry can't figure out how to give you the link from my iPad.

 

[travlitt]

:thumbsup:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/299015-led-light-install-but-look.html

 

[s219]

There are so many ways you can do this without drilling into the ROPS and voiding the warranty. Whether or not it's truly a problem is up for debate, but I'd certainly try to exhaust all possibilities before drilling.

 

[KennyG]

There is no practical impact to the ROPS from drilling small holes. Your 3120 already has multiple holes for the hazard lights, the hinge attachment, etc. Keep the hole size at a minimum and drill in the center of the tube, not near the edge. For convenience look at using existing holes and wire mold.

 

[/pine]

There is no practical impact to the ROPS

lawyers and liabilities are not always practical...in the eyes of the black and white...a product has either been altered, modified or it hasn't...

just sayin...

 

[Industrial Toys]

My concern would be ruining the certification of the ROPS. No big deal, until it comes time to sell or trade the tractor. I make clamps to go around a ROPS or brackets that fasten to some existing bolt or hole.

 

[stingray1]

I did the same on my 5045, the headlights were atrocious after installing my grill guard. It's just mild steel, but just like anything else, drill a smaller pilot hole, then step up to the finished size. Use enough oil and go slow, at your own risk of course...wouldn't want the ROPS modification police after me...;-)

Sent from my LGL35G using TractorByNet

I agree,it's just a tractor,not a nuclear power plant.

 

[4shorts]

Don't drill holes in your ROPS. Your compromising the integerty of the ROPS system which in turn if needed can kill you. Try this, the same system can be used for attaching lights just with different fasteners.