ROPS RECALL BY JD

stuart · Aug 8, 2005

I just received notice from John Deere that the ROPS on the 4200, 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600 and 4700 are being recalled for replacement "ONLY" if you have a canopy or sunshade assembly attached to it because it may fail on rollover. Apparently the extra weight may cause unseen fractures in the metal.
The letter goes on to say that if you do not have an overhead canopy or sunshade there is no reason to take part in this recall.
Seems to me and I would like some opinions other than my own that the owners of these tractors should have the ROPS replaced whether or not they have attachments being supported by the ROPS. Any thoughts are appreciated.

beenthere · Aug 8, 2005

I received that recall. I don't have any concerns that as long as I don't hang a canopy on my ROPS that it isn't just fine. The recall notice did say that too. Fine with me. Extra 'freebies' and exchanges just drive the cost up, albeit they use steel and put people to work as a side benefit, and let more taxes be collected. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
If my ROPS isn't designed for a canopy, that is fine with me. If I had put one on, and Deere thinks a stronger one is needed, and is going the extra to put one on, that is also fine. Would have been frustrating if Deere had issued a warning that their ROPS wouldn't be covered in warranty or liability if a non-Deere canopy had been mounted or was being considered.
Seems they have been overly fair, IMO. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

tanuke01 · Aug 8, 2005

It seems to me that JD should change all of them. If in a year or two you add a canopy you would have to pay for it,( If you remember) Or you would not have rollover protection.
I do not have a canopy, but I have requested the ROPSs be replaced. The dealer is getting it setup.

DPR

rockyridgefarm · Aug 8, 2005

Hey stuart, do you know any good attorneys?

stuart · Aug 9, 2005

Good Attorneys: NO

Cheyenne · Aug 9, 2005

I agree with BEENTHERE. Very few companies would have taken the step Deere has. Remember what the letter says---they will replace ROPS even if you have installed some other company's canopy. Can you imagine Ford or GM offering to replace a component because you had installed an aftermarket part to that component?
To ask for the ROPS to be replaced without cause or reason is asinine and ludicrous.

stuart · Aug 11, 2005

Cheyenne: What if you planned to install a sunshield on your tractor in the future? Why does a shade which weighs a few pounds cause a fracture in the ROPS metal? Is it possible it is a defective part in the ist place? If you sell the tractor to someone w/o them being notified of this inherent weakness in the ROPS and they install a shade and are injured because the ROPS fails? Are any of these good reasons to have it changed out now? Everyone is entitled to their opinion. What a great country we live in.

Cheyenne · Aug 11, 2005

Why does a shade which weighs a few pounds cause a fracture in the ROPS metal?
Stuart, it's not the weight of the canopy that is the problem---it's the fact that the weight is cantilevered and places tension loads on the weldment that were not in the original ROPS design. Also, those loads are not static, but dynamic because of tractor movement.
My previous post was not meant to be so abrasive.

stuart · Aug 16, 2005

Cheyenne: Thank you. I also did not mean to be smart asking the questions I posed. My point was that since most of these covers are very lightweight, I am suprised to see that they might damage the welds on the ROPS. The welds must already be weak and I am genuinely concerned that the person who owns my tractor after I am gone may not ever know of this problem. Better yet: I think I will just be buried along with my 4300. Best wishes and thanks for your replies.

DennoAce · Aug 27, 2005

I am not even affected by this recall with my little 4110 but I must say that I do not want to cost any company more money than is necissary, but on a tractor that weighs what these do...if a "sunshade" which weighs so little can cause the ROPS to be unsafe.....um than the ROPS is too weak or poorly designed.

I agree JD is doing a great thing by offering the recall in the first place under then terms mentioned (non-OEM stuff) and I applaude this.
But I would certainly call a 3000 lb+- tractor rolling sideways down a hill a "dynamic" load, so the ROPS should be able to handle dynamic or static loads from most any angle since it is possible to flip her just about in any direction.

May I aslo correct the "weak welds" idea..if a weld is correct it should be as the original metal, thus it is not the actual welds that are bad (I hope!), but the design and placement of them with the bracing, etc. that of course will favor strength towards a side-roll, not a 200lb snow load on a canopy. But, as said, if the ROPS is that close to the specs on what it can handle (in any direction)...I wouldn't trust MY life to it if given the choice!

Stuart is 100% right on this one IMO.

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif