Woods Grounbreaker X

[Av8r3400]

Now that there are a few of them out there running, I have a question for those lucky operators: How is the seating position, especially in relation to the ROPS? I'm wondering if the lower ROPS of the non-BX22/23 is a head banger. How about the leg room over the back of the tractor and the foot-well on the Woods unit?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Scrounger]

I have few hours digging on mine only, but I can tell you that I have found a few issues with the setup. At 6' 2", I put on a hard hat after ten minutes since I was leaning forward to see what I was doing and I caught the ROPS.

The ROPS needs to be larger and the BX23 ROPS will not fit. Other than adding to it or making a new one, I have no idea how to solve that one.

Other than that, I love the unit.

 

[Junkman]

Matt..... you say that the BX22/23 ROPS won't fit. Why is this, because from all outward appearances they appear the same. Where is the mounting problem? If you want to modify yours, you could probably add a hinge like Kubota did and extend the hight somewhat. I believe that the liability issue is over stated, and if it is done by a competent welder, it should be as strong as any factory manufactured unit. Look for a local guy that builds race car cages. These guys usually know all there is to know about making something safe.

 

[Scrounger]

Junkman

That was the mission the next couple of days. I can't get a good answer from anyone at Kubota if the BX23 ROPS will bolt on but the fender mouting looks a bit different.

A hinge on the BX2230 ROPS would add some height, but it needs to be a bit wider for comfort also. You can live with the width however, the height is not liveable in my humble opinion.

 

[notamustang]

Matt what about using some steel blocks, basically a body lift for the rops. Insted of passing a long bolt through the entire assembliey You would have plates welded to the ends with relief cuts for the bolts to pass through. You would have to use something like a gear wrench but that could be done pretty easy and the top plate is just tapped or welded bolts. Other thoght, hole in the top plate to drop the bolts through so the opening does not have to be that large.
Ok one more just a simple "X" welded to two plates to give you your height, 4" x 3/8 flat bar would work. Easily removable for factory service since K would whine about it.
And remember lifting or modifying any vehicle will cause it to be more top heavy and can become unstable even at low speeds. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Junkman could not agree more on the ROPS overstatement

 

[Scrounger]

That's an idea, but I wonder what it would cost to have a new ROPS bent for me. Even if it was round bar, it would work fine. Might even be able to make a roll cage and a roof or something. The BH6000 is a killer unit, but I think the ROPS and a few issues with hydraulic routing are the only limiting features.

 

[RonR]

The BX22 Rops has a cross piece that goes between the bases of the two uprights and (probably) bolts to the tractor somehow.

I wanted to fit one on my 2200, but was suggested they wouldn't fit.

Moding mine is a summer project. In fact, one of my options was similar to what Notamustang suggested, only I was going to build a plate to mount on the fender and a plate to bolt to the base of the ROPS on each side, and put a heavy fabbed hinge between them, so I could fold it rearward at the base. I figured it would be about 2" taller. That would be more complex for me than just adding a folding hinge like the 22/23, so I don't know which I will do.

With my plan A, I could go back to original if I traded/sold the BX..... Not so cheap with Plan B.

ron

 

[Av8r3400]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The BX22 Rops has a cross piece that goes between the bases of the two uprights)</font>

Can someone post some detail pics of the BX22/23 ROPS in this context?

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I will second that it won't fit. The BX23 is pretty drasticly different in the back end. The space contraints are a problem with this backhoe on any tractor, not just the BX.

 

[Scrounger]

Neil

Your right on the ROPS not fitting. I took some measurements at Powerco and it wont fit.

I made a few calls and I can have a new ROPS made for less than the BX23 ROPS regardsless.

Maybe a nice polished stainless tubular ROPS.

 

[Av8r3400]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Maybe a nice polished stainless tubular ROPS. )</font>


/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifSWEEEETT! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I'd love to see that. If you can find a shop to make one thats great. All us dealers will stay as far away as possible from touching the ROPS. Just today I had a tractor where the bolt on the anti vibration knob was the wrong size. Instead of just tacking on a new bolt, we have to order a whole new ROPS.

 

[Junkman]

If you are going to have one bent out of steel tubing, then you could have them flare it out at the bottom to give you some more width also. I know a local welder that makes steel cages for race cars and he has a hydraulic bending jig that he uses to get the correct curve. When he is done with a job, it is a work of art that stands up to crashes. I saw a car that he was driving that rolled over a few times during a race, and he walked away unhurt and the roll cage stayed together. The rest of the car didn't fair as well....
Maybe you can get a cab built into this as well. If it is going to be too expensive, then buy a Lorain cab, since they are ROPS certified and they have a model for the BX22/23. A little on the expensive side at $3500, but will keep you warm in the winter.....

 

[Av8r3400]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...Lorain cab... A little on the expensive side at $3500, but will keep you warm in the winter..... )</font>

Little help here. Do you have a website or other info, Junk?

 

[Scrounger]

Chicken. Then again everyone is never at fault for their own actions. If I do it, it will be stronger than the OEM ROPS that is for sure. It'll be hot look too. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[notamustang]

<font color="blue"> Chicken</font> LOL!!!

 

[Junkman]

http://www.laurin-inc.com/en2/cab/agri/kubota/kubota.htm

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have few hours digging on mine only, but I can tell you that I have found a few issues with the setup. At 6' 2", I put on a hard hat after ten minutes since I was leaning forward to see what I was doing and I caught the ROPS.

The ROPS needs to be larger and the BX23 ROPS will not fit. Other than adding to it or making a new one, I have no idea how to solve that one.

Other than that, I love the unit. )</font>
========
Why didn' you simply get the BX 23 in the first place.????

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I will second that it won't fit. The BX23 is pretty drasticly different in the back end. The space contraints are a problem with this backhoe on any tractor, not just the BX. )</font>
========
I bought the bx23 to avoid these issues.
Glad I'm not facing the situations several on the board are challenged with in adding a BH to a Kubota bx2230 and the massy 2300.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have a question for those lucky operators:
)</font>

<font color="red"> I'm not so sure they're lucky from reading about the issues they're having
adding it to a BX 2230 or MF 2300.
They would have been better of going with the BX23 or MF 2310;
Less money
Fewer headaches
No glitches </font>