I am having a problem with my ROPS

cag · Oct 18, 2005

Well Mech I'm sorry to hear that, I was kind of hoping the dealer would have been there for you,but it turns out he didn't deserve your money... I would make the effort to contact kioti and explain your situation, post the reply they give you, after all you did buy a product that you believe in, therefore you should expect the service, don't give up.. Keep us posted...cag

HODAK · Oct 19, 2005

mech, I had the same problem with my ROPS. I removed them, (they are very, very heavy), turns out the ear or tab on the left side was slightly out of line. It was welded with a bit of an angle which caused it to come in contact with the fender. Just enough to rub the paint when I lowered them.

I put a heavy C clamp on the tabs and smacked the outer tab with a good ole sledge hammer once or twice, touched up with paint and put them back on. I now have a clearance, not much, but enough. Probably could have filed a little off that tab if I wanted, but didn't need to.

I agree that your dealer should know about this, but for me I took care of it in about an hour and I was back on the tractor.

Good Luck and keep us posted. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

VictorW · Oct 19, 2005

My CK30hst has the older style rops like yours and the right side is my problem. It just touches the fender when I lower it to a 45' to get it into my garage. I'm sure I have scratched the paint on the fender. I haven't dug into the possible fix because of the same thing Hodak mentioned...heavy. One of these days, I'll eat my "Wheaties" and tackle it. I didn't mention it to my dealer because I figured I'd just fix it myself but I would think that is something they should take care of. The shim idea would work but I didn't want to do that for the reasons you mentioned. Maybe a few bowls full this weekend and I can tell you what my fix is. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HODAK · Oct 19, 2005

VictorW- Maybe a few bowls full this weekend and I can tell you what my fix is.............

Now you're talkin! "Git r Done"

Just be prepared for the weight.

wallace · Oct 19, 2005

Mechanicman53, I know this may not help you much but if you bring the machine to me I will fix your problem.
I will cut the bracket off and reweld it where it is should be and if we can't fix it that way I will install a new ROPS.
There will be no cost to you.
I will also do this on a weekend if you give me a notice ahead of time.

KiotiSteve · Oct 19, 2005

Wallace that is a very kind offer and I am going to make it plan B. If you were a little closer you would be plan A.

Here is plan A. I was out tonight scouring all of my buddies’ tool cribs and I came up with a 10 ton Porto-power. His will both push and pull. The plan is to remove the upper part of the ROPS completely. Connect the Porto-power and apply inward pressure on the part still mounted to the tractor. Then using a wood block and a sledgehammer persuade the left side over a 1/8 of an inch or so. In my book a miss is as good as a mile as long as I don’t hit the fender. I don’t care about both sides being equal for appearance sake. Even now, a few feet away it is unnoticeable. I realize that the sledgehammer persuasion must be done with due care so I will start off very slow and take great pains not to damage the connection to the axel housing. Measurement will be taken! Once the lower half is adjusted more measurements will be taken and the top half pulled in to match. Now, if I all goes as planed, the top and bottom will not be truly parallel to each other. Since it is a sloppy fit to begin with I should have some built-in forgiveness. If not enough space remains I think it would be OK to grind off a 1/32 from each side that faces each other when assembled giving me the 1/8 I would need at the correct angle. Now if the weekend weather will hold I can put my plan into effect! What am I overlooking here? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Thanks to everyone who has responded to this problem, your input is much appreciated. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Wallace I will pm you and thanks again for stepping forward.

Highbeam · Oct 19, 2005

Just don't bust the cast housing. That would be hard to blame on normal use. 10 tons of force is quite a lot and something is going to give.

Good job wallace.

KiotiJohn · Oct 19, 2005

mechanicsman, don't take that ROPS off alone unless you have a winch and something to control the swing well. It is VERY heavy, and takes two strong men to do it, even then with a lot of work.
John

VictorW · Oct 20, 2005

Your idea sounds good but I'd be very carefule not to break the axle housing. Hopefully the attaching bolts would break first if you get to much pressure. Now comes the possible second problem. If you get the movement you need, did the rops bar legs bend or did the bolts start to shear. If they are overstressed at all, they might break when you really need the rops for a roll over. If you just need to bend them slightly, I would rather take each upright bar off and put them in a press to get the little distance you need. Just my two cents about trying to bend the bars while mounted to the tractor.

KiotiSteve · Oct 20, 2005

Thanks Kioti John. I have a tree and a chain hoist. I also have a strong friend who I have coming to help me. Hopefully that will be the hard part. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif