Power Operated ROPS?

[npalen]

Surely someone has thought about putting a cylinder(s) on the ROPS for folding. Just a crazy idea that popped into this old brain.
I guess what got me to thinking about it was an old brainstorm about a plastic bubble canopy for snow removal.
Imagine a bubble mounted to the ROPS that would retract for entry and exit and then drop down for upper body weather protection.
Put enough flashing LED's on it and the neighbors would report a UFO sighting.
Would be a fun project, right?

 

[4570Man]

Good luck fabricating that without causing a stroke among the safety police.

 

[CincyFlyer]

I fully admit to being an amateur "safety cop", but it could easily and safely be done, with either "over center" or pin locking.

 

[CCWKen]

I've only seen folding ROPS on lawnmowers--So they can be pulled into a garage. You guys must really need something to do. :confused2:

 

[parhamfarms2615]

I've only seen folding ROPS on lawnmowers--So they can be pulled into a garage. You guys must really need something to do. :confused2:

?? Folding rops on our 50 and 65 hp tractor? Our Ztr mower doesn't fold? Confused.

 

[powerscol]

Could be done with clamp on brackets with cylinder on back side or ROPS. However you would still need to insert the pin the the stock hings for it to be safe. Sounds like a fun project for an old retired guy. Lucky for me I never need to fold mine down. I trimmed everything I could hit - even the garage door :shocked::shocked::shocked::confused3:

 

[Fallon]

I did a power SSQA with a linear actuator. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/321704-linear-actuator-power-ssqa.html A cheap linear actuator would be up to the task, but slow. I'd go with clamp on brackets to avoid modifying the ROPS. You'd still need to manually put in the locking pin or bolt though.

I never needed to drop the ROPS on my old L3200 much. Mostly when moving a pallet deep into my shop, which had a lowish roof. The cab on my new L4060hstc precludes even thinking along those lines anymore.

 

[mcfarmall]

I love all the flaming about drilling holes or mounting things to ROPS. JD ROPS comes with 7/16" holes punched in it for mounting the 4 way flashers, etc.. If you aren't going crazy with giant holes, I can't see where a single hole less than 1/2" will compromise a ROPS especially if it's on the centerline of the structure.

Bring on the flames!

Most ROPS are Armstrong fold from the factory. Add a couple of small cylinders and hook them up to your SCV.

 

[npalen]

Fallon, I like the idea of a linear actuator particularly from the standpoint of self-locking, as most are. Electrically operated is definitely a plus in that not every tractor has a spare set of remotes laying around.

Mcfarmall: Is "Armstrong" a U.S. manufacturer? I realize the name is usually associated with domestic but sometimes foreigners use domestic names to fool the public. I'm just curious and didn't realize that most ROPS were made by a single manufacturer. (P.S.--Gotta love the "Mcfarmall" moniker)

I realize that powered ROPS may not be on everyone's bucket list but it's fun to conjecture about non-existent tractor add-ons. Reminds me of powered stairways on farm implements such as CAT Challengers and Deere sprayers etc. Great Grandpa probably never envisioned such silliness.

 

[CobyRupert]

Silliness? Nah...
Wasn't there a guy here on TBN that put in a vacuum cleaner system in his tractor's cab?