ROPS modification

[5030]

I'm all for ROPs and the safety they provide when it's ever needed. However, cutting into them or welding to them could compromise their strength. There is much hardware out there to just clamp things in place on the ROPs with u/-bolts and plates. The plates are the items used to mount things.

IF you ever resell the machine and the ROPs were found defective, it's an open issue of legal matters your not going to be happy with. Keep them "as-is" and just get mounts or make the bolt+plate mounts yourself.

100% correct. If you weld on or modify the ROPS in any way, your tractor becomes unsaleable or not being able to trade it in. It's yours forever. If you sell it privately and the new owner has a roll over and the ROPS fails, you are wide open for a PI lawsuit.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

100% correct. If you weld on or modify the ROPS in any way, your tractor becomes unsaleable or not being able to trade it in. It's yours forever. If you sell it privately and the new owner has a roll over and the ROPS fails, you are wide open for a PI lawsuit.

Just because they can Sue you does not mean they would win. they would have to prove it damaged the rops.

 

[/pine]

100% correct. If you weld on or modify the ROPS in any way, your tractor becomes unsaleable or not being able to trade it in. It's yours forever. If you sell it privately and the new owner has a roll over and the ROPS fails, you are wide open for a PI lawsuit.

It would be next to nothing to have a lawyer draw up a binding waiver of liability...
Or just remove the ROPS and sell it as is...

 

[bmaverick]

Or just remove the ROPS and sell it as is...

Many of the newer tractors have the tamper resistant fasteners now on the ROPs. Taking the ROPs off to sell the tractor now opens a new can of worms and greater liability as the safety system was deliberately removed.

 

[/pine]

Many of the newer tractors have the tamper resistant fasteners now on the ROPs. Taking the ROPs off to sell the tractor now opens a new can of worms and greater liability as the safety system was deliberately removed.

I'm not advocating the removal or doing anything like boring holes or welding etc. to a ROP system...
BUT...That is where a leak proof waiver of liability comes in...!
Any buyer would be required to sign the wavier with a clause stating that they (the buyer) had been fully informed of any and all modifications to any of the safety features...
When it come to possible liability...bi-passed safety switches create the same liability issues...

 

[bmaverick]

I'm not advocating the removal or doing anything like boring holes or welding etc. to a ROP system...
BUT...That is where a leak proof waiver of liability comes in...!
Any buyer would be required to sign the wavier with a clause stating that they (the buyer) had been fully informed of any and all modifications to any of the safety features...
When it come to possible liability...bi-passed safety switches create the same liability issues...

That could work in some states, not all. And if the person buying the machine is planning to do a refurb and quick resale without passing on the clauses the legal loop hole is no longer valid. Then it's 2 or more parties affected for liability.

 

[/pine]

That could work in some states, not all. And if the person buying the machine is planning to do a refurb and quick resale without passing on the clauses the legal loop hole is no longer valid. Then it's 2 or more parties affected for liability.

You're way over thinking this...the second owner would do the same and have their own liability waiver as the first or they could simply be liable...no way the "first" owner would be liable via the original waiver document...

 

[bmaverick]

You're way over thinking this...the second owner would do the same and have their own liability waiver as the first or they could simply be liable...no way the "first" owner would be liable via the original waiver document...

You really think so of the 2nd intern owner? I know of people who just flip vehicles buying low and then posting the vehicle up for sale within hours to resell without passing anything else over but the title and keys. They don't even have their name on the title, just the original owner. Thus, when the 3rd person get it, has issues, the 1st owner's SOLD AS-IS is useless. And the 2nd flipper person is nowhere to be found. The 2nd person can sign any ID or name and phone. Makes the deal feel legit. All it takes is a single flipper aka crooked person to get into a deal.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

If it were as big of an issue with lawyers, there would be a lot of people sued over car modifications........

 

[/pine]

You really think so of the 2nd intern owner? I know of people who just flip vehicles buying low and then posting the vehicle up for sale within hours to resell without passing anything else over but the title and keys. They don't even have their name on the title, just the original owner. Thus, when the 3rd person get it, has issues, the 1st owner's SOLD AS-IS is useless. And the 2nd flipper person is nowhere to be found. The 2nd person can sign any ID or name and phone. Makes the deal feel legit. All it takes is a single flipper aka crooked person to get into a deal.

After the original owner sells the machine... they are entirely out of the picture...

For a person to do what you suggest after signing a waiver acknowledging safety equipment modifications they are not only liable they are stupid...!

 

[airbiscuit]

So there are no brackets welded on OEM ROPS for mounting points, lights, hinges, etc.?

 

[bmaverick]

After the original owner sells the machine... they are entirely out of the picture...

For a person to do what you suggest after signing a waiver acknowledging safety equipment modifications they are not only liable they are stupid...!

That is if you can find the the person who signed the waiver. They are a shadow buyer and resell quickly on the sly. The original owner who mod'ed the ROPS or removed them may have a signed waiver, but not from the new 3rd owner as the 2nd sly owner shadowed away. The sly shadow owner could careless what they signed under a false name and false phone ID.

A waiver is null and void if signed under false pretenses with a false name and ID.

If anyone goes to sell something of great value, having proper ID of the buyer and proof of residence is a huge help.

 

[bmaverick]

So there are no brackets welded on OEM ROPS for mounting points, lights, hinges, etc.?

There are various clamp on brackets.

 

[Jims1025R]

Bear in mind that a design consideration of a ROPS will be head strike. Avoid attaching anything (including by bolting) which introduces any feature which you would not want to hit your head on (sharp corners on brackets). I'm not saying not to bolt stuff on, just think about your head hitting it. I've hit my head on my (factory original) ROPS on my excavator a few times when I have bounced it, even with the seatbelt on, and it can hurt! Happily, nothing sharp there! Consider padding if in doubt.

 

[/pine]

That is if you can find the the person who signed the waiver. They are a shadow buyer and resell quickly on the sly. The original owner who mod'ed the ROPS or removed them may have a signed waiver, but not from the new 3rd owner as the 2nd sly owner shadowed away. The sly shadow owner could careless what they signed under a false name and false phone ID.

A waiver is null and void if signed under false pretenses with a false name and ID.

If anyone goes to sell something of great value, having proper ID of the buyer and proof of residence is a huge help.

Besides the waiver all the first party needs is a bill of sale and they are out of the picture...this is why it is always best for both parties to have signed bills of sale...!

 

[bmaverick]

Bear in mind that a design consideration of a ROPS will be head strike. Avoid attaching anything (including by bolting) which introduces any feature which you would not want to hit your head on (sharp corners on brackets). I'm not saying not to bolt stuff on, just think about your head hitting it. I've hit my head on my (factory original) ROPS on my excavator a few times when I have bounced it, even with the seatbelt on, and it can hurt! Happily, nothing sharp there! Consider padding if in doubt.

Maybe the ROPS can be covered with pool noodles as a cushion.

 

[Williy]

If your clamping metal plates to your
ropes get your grease gun this should
stop the rust problem.

willy

 

[ray66v]

I don't know why people are automatically assuming there is no temper to the metal used on a ROPS. Most of the steel used on automobiles is tempered today, so don't bet on it.

As far as factory welding and hole drilling goes, it's simple. The ROPS was tested, and certified in that configuration. So, it's known that those things do not cause issues. Yes, you can argue a hole drilled in a particular place, or a small weld will have no affect on the integrity. And, it's likely that it won't. However, for legal purposes, you have to re-certify it to prove that. Which is not practical.

 

[5030]

After the original owner sells the machine... they are entirely out of the picture...

For a person to do what you suggest after signing a waiver acknowledging safety equipment modifications they are not only liable they are stupid...!

Not correct.

 

[/pine]

Not correct.

No it's not...explain why you think otherwise..