ROPS Modification

[Dave_Lilly]

Thanks to all who replied to my original post. Many replies but no real help in solving my problem. I can't believe that there are so many people concerned with liability issues than there are those who would help me to "Get 'er Done". My tractor, my life. Just want the KAMA to fit in the garage.

 

[JerryG]

Family?

 

[ToolManRick]

Hi Dave. Since you've strarted another thread on the same issue I'm wondering what your purpose is. I read the posts in the other thread and many folks said to simply go for it and do it. The manufacturer of the ROPS would love it, they'd be off the hook if it failed and you get a shorter roll bar. So, what's the problem? Were you actually expecting someone to say "Hey, bring er' on over and I'll do it for free!"

 

[kenmac]

I think you had many suggestions,you were going to do what you wanted to do any way so, I don't know why you took the time to ask. I think one person suggested to raise the header on your garage door as he did .I think most here were concerned with your personal safety and trying to get you to look at other options instead of modifying a safety device that was designed for your protection for that tractor. Good luck!

 

[Tractors4u]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The manufacturer of the ROPS would love it, they'd be off the hook if it failed and you get a shorter roll bar. )</font>

Maybe one could sue Homier/FarmPro, Rural King, etc or the individual seller, but I would wager that it would be difficult to sue Jinma, Futian, Dong Feng.

 

[CSH]

Dave, it appears that your choices are:

1. Cut the ROPS and reweld
2. Buy a folding ROPS
3. Remove the ROPS (there's quite a few tractors in use that don't have one)
4. Modify the garage
5. Build a new storage building
6. Sell or trade the tractor for one that will fit in the garage
7. Park it outside

Don't take offense with those who suggested that you NOT cut the ROPS and reweld. They're only giving a recommendation based on what they would themselves. Personally, I would be most inclined to do #2 or #5. #1 and #3 would absolutely be out of the question for me.

 

[jmf7112001]

Amen.

 

[Dave_Lilly]

No purpose, just a mistake in posting. The "many' you quote was 3 out of 11. If I roll this tractor due to a faulty factory ROPS, do you really think that I could successfully sue a manufacturer in the People's Republic of China?
If you or someone else would like to come to Southern Indiana out of their goodness of their heart and modify the ROPS for me, I would be ever so pleased, but that was not the original question. Look at the original post. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Dave_Lilly]

I was hoping to find some one who had modified the fixed ROPS to be a foldable one, or if not that approach, someone who had shortened the ROPS. If you would take a really good look at the attachment points for a KAMA ROPS, and the ROPS on other Chinese tractors, I think you would be surprised at how cheesy the ROPS is attached.

 

[greg_g]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you would take a really good look at the attachment points for a KAMA ROPS, and the ROPS on other Chinese tractors, I think you would be surprised at how cheesy the ROPS is attached. )</font>
I'm not sure what you're looking at to arrive at that conclusion. I've had 3 Chinese tractors, the current one is a KAMA 454. The ROPS on all three are solid. As I stated earlier, they're all mounted to the rear axle housings - not to the fenders.

//greg//

 

[MarkNHow]

I have a Jinma 284LE and as Greg stated the ROPS are very solid. I had never owned a tractor before and did something I shouldn't have and tipped it on it's side. I was thankful for the ROPS and the seatbelt.

Mark H

 

[JINMA224XR]

<font color="blue"> Thanks to all who replied to my original post. Many replies but no real help in solving my problem. I can't believe that there are so many people concerned with liability issues than there are those who would help me to "Get 'er Done". My tractor, my life. </font>

Hey Dave,

Getting frustrated are we? Calm Down. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I did a modification of lowering the ROPS, on a tractor that I had years ago, but it did not have a canopy. I cut out a section on both sides and rewelded it back. Although I never had occasion to test it, it worked well and I could get it into my garage.

However on a tractor that has a canopy, if yours has one, then I don't recommend you to do this, unless you are less than 5 feet tall. I have a folding ROPS, with a canopy on my current tractor and it has not been modified at all. Yesterday while getting on and off the tractor, doing landscapeing, I bumped my head on the canopy about 2 times, and this is the main reason that I don't recommend you doing this, but the safety concerns that others have given are probably just as important as well.

I suggest that you rig up or purchase a folding ROPS, for your tractor, or do as I did, for a while and take the ROPS off completely until you get it modified or purchase a folding ROPS. However if you choose to take it off, then you will be in the same category as us motorbike riders and you will have to assume the extra risk that you undertake.

If Kama doesn't offer a folding ROPS,, Have you checked to see if the Jinma FOLDING ROPS will fit on your tractor?

Don't dispair, the fellows here are only trying to help you, and just remember, " WHERE THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A WAY ".

Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Hagar]

Try to procure the hinge pieces from an existing folding ROPS and cut yours and attach the hinges.

 

[Soundguy]

I imagine that those of us lucky enought to even have a rops are wondering why you want to dink with yours. probably thousands of antique/grey market/old domestic tractor owners would love to have even a fixed set of rops..

As stated.. the responses here are from those that are looking out from your safety.

Soundguy

 

[greg_g]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If Kama doesn't offer a folding ROPS,, )</font>
FWIW, my KM454 came from the factory with a folding ROPS - as did both previous Jinmas. It was easier for me to raise the header the parking shed once, than it was to pull the pins and fold the ROPS every time I wanted to drive in. And I'm glad somebody reinforced my earlier comment about hitting one's head on a lowered canopy.

All that said - combined with the repeated safety concerns - still make going through a taller opening a viable option.

//greg//