ROPS/FOPS Warning

[MarkV]

Had a strange thing happen that others should check. While tarping up my B-21 at the end of the weekend I found my ROPS had broken. On the B-21 there is a four point ROPS with a heavy frame system and metal canopy over the top. The rear ROPS is a loop bolted to the tractor frame and looks close to that on most Kubotas. The top frame, with metal roof, is bolted to the rear loop and two seperate front post. The front posts run down to the loader sub-frame. The top of the front post have an angle welded to then which is the bolt mount point to the roof frame. This angle, at the bend, has broken completely through and looking at the other side I can see that it is about to go.

No, the tractor has never been rolled and I can not think of a thing that has hit it with that kind of force. It seems that the angle is lighter steel than it should be but I know little about what size steel is right for what. This is a frightening failure in my mind. I would like to hear if anyone else has seen a like problem. Also, I would encourage B-21 and L-35 owners to take a close look at your front ROPS mounts.

 

[_RaT_]

MarkV, I'm pretty sure this would be one of those things Kubota itself may be very interested in. When a guy I know flipped his tractor (not rolled) they were very interested in the ROP being in their hands for inspection. Rat...

 

[MarkV]

Rat, thanks for the idea. I thought it would be worth a call to Kubota to see if they were aware of the problem. After all, it might save someone from an injury in the future. Kubota was interested and had one of their service reps call me with in an hour of the time I called them. He had just, last week, received a memo to watch for this problem, so I was not the first to bring it to their attention. Kubota is making arrangements with the dealer closest to me to pick up my tractor and replace the defective parts at no charge. The tractor is not under warrenty so I was happy to agree with their plan.

So, B-21 owners check your front ROPS where they join the roof frame.