Hydraulic Folding ROPS

[bdhsfz6]

I'm making changes around the estate and now need to keep my L6060 and MX5800 in a garage with 8' X 8' overhead doors. The ROPS on both tractors have to be folded to clear the door header. They are such a PIA to fold, I find I'm operating the tractor more than I should with them folded down.

I'm curious if anyone has fabricated a hydraulic system to fold a ROPS. It seems to me, a cylinder could be attached to the ROPS with U-bolts to avoid drilling or welding. A simple pin & cotter set could be used to replace that threaded bolt that always requires a wrench to loosen. I have a spare set of rear hyd. ports and the ROPS only needs to be folded 30 degrees to get the necessary clearance. It sounds simple enough but has anyone actually done it?

 

[ptsg]

In Portugal, Spain, Italy and maybe a few others, tractors come with a Mid mounted ROPS because the tractors are used under trees (orchards) most of the time. This style of ROPS folds over the hood and makes the tractor have a very low profile, the highest spot being the steering wheel actually.

Anyways, these style of ROPS is very heavy and hard to fold up, since it's such a big loops. A couple years ago, most manufacturers start adding gas cylinders from factory to help lift up the ROPS. I'm pretty sure it was mandated by the UE, since we're having so many deadly tractor accidents because the operators won't lift the ROPS.

I'll try to share a couple of pictures to give you an idea. Granted, you would have to come up with all the proper geometry for the rear mounted ROPS, but it shouldn't be to hard, plus you plan on using U-bolts which allow for ease of change on the pivot points.

Note the gas cylinders attached to the ROPS. One on each side of the tractor.

 

[bdhsfz6]

In Portugal, Spain, Italy and maybe a few others, tractors come with a Mid mounted ROPS because the tractors are used under trees (orchards) most of the time. This style of ROPS folds over the hood and makes the tractor have a very low profile, the highest spot being the steering wheel actually.

Anyways, these style of ROPS is very heavy and hard to fold up, since it's such a big loops. A couple years ago, most manufacturers start adding gas cylinders from factory to help lift up the ROPS. I'm pretty sure it was mandated by the UE, since we're having so many deadly tractor accidents because the operators won't lift the ROPS.

I'll try to share a couple of pictures to give you an idea. Granted, you would have to come up with all the proper geometry for the rear mounted ROPS, but it shouldn't be to hard, plus you plan on using U-bolts which allow for ease of change on the pivot points.

Note the gas cylinders attached to the ROPS. One on each side of the tractor.

View attachment 667638 View attachment 667637 View attachment 667636

Thanks for the information.

Gas cylinders could be a workable idea but it would take some work just to loosen up the action on the ROPS. They are so stiff on both my tractors, even with loosened hinge bolts, that it takes quite a bit of effort to fold them down.

 

[Henro]

I'm making changes around the estate and now need to keep my L6060 and MX5800 in a garage with 8' X 8' overhead doors. The ROPS on both tractors have to be folded to clear the door header. They are such a PIA to fold, I find I'm operating the tractor more than I should with them folded down.

I'm curious if anyone has fabricated a hydraulic system to fold a ROPS. It seems to me, a cylinder could be attached to the ROPS with U-bolts to avoid drilling or welding. A simple pin & cotter set could be used to replace that threaded bolt that always requires a wrench to loosen. I have a spare set of rear hyd. ports and the ROPS only needs to be folded 30 degrees to get the necessary clearance. It sounds simple enough but has anyone actually done it?

First question: Do you always wear your seatbelt with the ROPS up? If not running with the ROPS down and no seatbelts seems to be recommended.

If it were me, and I really only used the tractor with ROPS, and seat belt on, I would likely either man up and deal with the hassle of folding and unfolding the ROPS, or park outside until I could implement the hydraulic solution. But be sure your solution offers the same protection as the original design.