ROPS for B7200

[scram1995]

Hi. Can anyone provide me with insight/sources/advice on the best place to obtain/install an ROPS for a 1986 B7200HST?

I'm considering purchasing one, but I'd like to know how much it'll cost to make it safer.

Also, can anyone tell me what the standard tire/rim size on these tractors was (with AG tires)?

thanks!

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Scram,

Check with your local Kubota dealer. Kubota has a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kubota.com/rops.cfm> ROPS program</A> where they sell them cheap. Look on this site for the discount certificate and print it out and take it to the dealer and have them order it. They'll charge for installation, but $148 for a rops and seatbelt for my L345 was too good to pass up./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[scram1995]

Thanks for the info. I just went to the site and printed out the form.

I also just called our local dealer to ask how much it would cost to install. They said that the first one they did took 8 hours and cost about $400, but Kubota just came out with a new install kit that is supposed to reduce the time down to about $200.

Any insights on what it *should* cost to install the ROPS kit they provide?

Thanks!

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Scram,

My rops is backordered, so I don't have it yet, but I was quoted the same estimate - 4 hours @ $50/hr.

I think it's a great price, considering the big $$ I've seen for other brands and what the price used to be for Kubota rops. If you want a rops (and I do), it's a no-brainer.

 

[scram1995]

thanks.

what kind of tractor do you have? I'm considering this 86 B7200 with Kubota loader. Its four wheel drive, but it's got a ton of hours on it. The meter reads 487, but its gotta be at least 1487 and probably 2487 based on the condition of the tires, paint, etc. It runs like a top, starts right up. no smoke. everything seems to function perfectly. I'm figuring I'll need to spend $350 or so on tires right away and then $400 for the ROPS. The owner is asking $5200 for it. Think that's a good price or should it be lower based on the hours and condition?

thanks again for your help!

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Scram,

You also might check <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractortips.com>TractorTips</A> for original specs on this model. It's kinda tedious, since they have a very slow server, so be patient.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Scram,

I have an early 80's L345. Bought it with a lot of hours on it, but it's in pretty good shape.

I don't have any idea of the pricing on a B7200, but look in the Reviews section for a similar model. Also, search the User List for B7200 in the tractor field. Search the forums for B7200 posts. This site is overflowing with good information - just look for it.

I'm sure other B7200 owners will soon respond with their opinions, but if not, try posting your request in the Kubota Buying/Pricing forum.

 

[chrisjbell]

I have a '97 B7300 which is probably pretty close to what you have. I paid about $12K, which included the tractor, FEL, and a brush hog. I can also tell you that at the time I was looking the best used tractors I could find were in the $6K range - and that was usually for a much older Ford 8N or maybe 9N (not 4WD).

From everything I've heard, the hours on your tractor aren't as important as how well it was maintained. Sure, use is use, but if it was serviced regularly and properly it should go for quite a while longer.

...Chris

 

[WVBill]

I have a '78 B6100. When I got it, I bought the ROP from the Kubota dealer ($148) and installed it myself in about an hour and a half. It came with good instructions, including pictures. Most difficult part was rigging up a way to suspend it from the garage ceiling beams to position it right so I could insert the bolts. Had to take one rear wheel off so the lower 3ph shaft could be pulled out. It attaches around the case below the 3ph top link bracket area.

The drawback I found of this particular ROP/Tractor is that the ROP bars are barely wider than the top link bracket. I found when I rented a Woods post hole digger that the tube for the PHD would not fit between the ROPS bars and attach to the top link bracket. A Danhuser post hold digger will attach because the tube "necks down" for about 6". But even the Danhuser binds between the ROPS bars before it gets to full up on the 3ph.

I'm going to have to do some careful measuring when I buy my PHD.

Just be aware of this if you already have attachments and are planning to add a ROP.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Bill,

This is great information. I was hoping to try and install mine myself and wondered what was involved. My tractor is out in the boondocks and it will be much easier /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif and cheaper/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif to install it onsite rather than take it to a dealer.

Another post had suggested that dealer installation was a real plus because it was fairly difficult to install, but Eric's post earlier in this thread indicates that they may have simplified the process now. We'll see - and I may check back with you when I get my rops.

 

[scram1995]

Thanks, Bill. That's great info.

I'm pretty sure now that I can install it myself, and I don't have any attachments yet, so I'll wait until I get the ROPS and measure before I buy any.

Incidentally: I'm in the Eastern Panhandle too - Shepherdstown. Havn't bought the tractor yet (I'm specing this particular one out and trying to decide if its the right one for me), but I'm on the lookout for others. Let me know if you see any others locally that I might have missed. I'm looking for one in the $5k range because I can't bring myself to part with my John Deere lawn mower (LX176), so I only need 4WD with a loader (no belly or finish mower needed). Email me at: ejlewis51@citlink.net.

thanks!

-Eric

 

[Kelvin]

The installation of the ROPS on my older B7100 wasn't that difficult. There is a PTO shield that is mounted with 6 bolts around the rear PTO shaft. Basically, you remove the PTO shield and install the ROPS/new PTO shield structure in its place with 6 new stronger bolts (provided).

By the way, according to my ROPS installation manual, the instructions are "For mounting B1060 2-Post ROPS on B5200E/D, B6100E/D/HSE/HSD, B6200E/D/HSE/HSD, B7100D/HSE/HSD and B7200E/D/HSE/HSD Kubota Tractors without Backhoe". So it looks like the model B1060 is what you'll need for the B7200 if you get it. I'm surprised that the B7100E (2wd B7100) was left out of the listing.

The hardest tasks associated with the installation is (1) removing the horizontal shaft that runs through the PTO shield (and holds the 3-point lift arms in place), and (2) having one person (preferably two people) hold the ROPS structure in place while the 3rd person bolts it in place.

Hope this helps. Adding ROPS to a non-ROPS tractor is probably the most valuable improvement that you can make.

Kelvin

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Re: Kubota ROPS pricing

Bill,

I found out (accidently) today that the $148 promotional pricing for retro-fitting older Kubotas with ROPS is supposed to include freight and installation! The dealer actually gets $170 back from Kubota if they turn in the coupon (where the customer gets $50 off the regular price).

I wonder why every dealer (4) I talked to wanted to charge me for installation? Do you think they don't understand the program .... or is it something else (like greed), since the customer isn't supposed to know about the extra $120?

 

[Wiz]

Re: Kubota ROPS pricing

I have a B7200 that I purchased new, and already had the ROPS installed. Last year at an auction there was a beat, trashed,dented,out in the sun B7200 with a loader. I thought I might be able to pick it up cheap for the turf tires. WRONG. It went for $6500.00. I'd like to think I could get that for mine, although it doesn't have a loader, but I only have 520 actual hours on mine. Price seems to depend on the local market for them. Good luck. I do know there are not a lot of them listed for sale, here in Ohio.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Re: ROPS for L345 installed

Bill,

I installed the ROPS on my L345 this past weekend, with help from my father-in-law. Only hard part was holding the arms up while I lined up the holes. A hoist would have been handy!

One interesting problem. The ROPS fits between the transmission case and the top link bracket, and the draft control arm has to be removed, lengthened, and replaced. The instructions say to measure the length prior to removal, add 76 mm and replace. Of course, it can't be extended anywhere near that much, and Kubota (or anyone else, for that matter) doesn't have a replacement part that is any longer.

I asked a Kubota mechanic today what he would do if he were installing the ROPS, and he said he'd cut the arm and weld an extension in the breach. I guess that's what Kubota had in mind? I guess that's what I'll do - as soon as I find a welder who will do it for me.

Of course, adding the ROPS has created yet another problem. See the attached picture./w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif