roll bar question

[AndyG]

You need to use all 4 bolts. The second bolt on each side provides strength against a side load which it would probably see in an overturn situation. You can try some kind of hitch pins or other easy removal method but I recommend against it. Eventually you get get tired of reinstalling the top rail every time that you get it out of the garage. You will start leaving it off sometimes and it will progress to leaving it off all of the time. Probably the best bet is to drill new holes and permanently lower the top rail. Only lower it the absolute minimum amount needed to get it in the garage. Keep the top rail as high as possible. You may be "only" 5'8" but the height is needed because of the angle created when the tractor us upside down. To see the envelope of protection stretch a string from the end of the ROPS to the front of the hood on the tractor. Lowering the top rail on the ROPS reduces the envelope of protection.

 

[Grayson Klassen]

I dont know about the rest of you guys, but this looks like an excellent opportunity here. Step 1 explain to the wife why the Roll bar is so important and that you aren't supposed to ever take it off. Then explain the problem with the garage door being too short. Let her think on that for a minute and say something like I have an idea we could build a new detached garage that fits the tractor and has a work area in it as well. This will work better if you give her a diamond ring first though.

 

[JC-jetro]

I dont know about the rest of you guys, but this looks like an excellent opportunity here. Step 1 explain to the wife why the Roll bar is so important and that you aren't supposed to ever take it off. Then explain the problem with the garage door being too short. Let her think on that for a minute and say something like I have an idea we could build a new detached garage that fits the tractor and has a work area in it as well. This will work better if you give her a diamond ring first though.

Hmmm , That ole "Diamond Ring Trick".. aye!!!
A bit pricey .. but it sure works like a charm everytime

 

[Jbrink64]

I would like to mention that a ROPS should never be drilled, cut, welded, or modified in any way.

And definitely, pins can't be used in place of bolts.

 

[JC-jetro]

I would like to mention that a ROPS should never be drilled, cut, welded, or modified in any way.

And definitely, pins can't be used in place of bolts.

pins, bolts makes absolutely no difference if the "shear strength" of the pin meets or exceed that of bolt in question. Why is it that many new folding ROPS rely on hitch pins?

JC,

 

[Jbrink64]

pins, bolts makes absolutely no difference if the "shear strength" of the pin meets or exceed that of bolt in question. Why is it that many new folding ROPS rely on hitch pins?

JC,

If it's designed for pins, fine. If it's designed to be clamped with bolts, that's different. To meet certification, the ROPS needs to be maintained as originally designed.

I only throw this out there because in the event of a failure, liability falls upon the individual who made the modifications.

 

[JC-jetro]

I only throw this out there because in the event of a failure, liability falls upon the individual who made the modifications.

That is true enough. Let's just say the bolt is class 2 and one replaces with class 5 equivalent pin. In the case of law suit obviously manufacture blames owner modification, case closed even if the replacement exceed original specs. We're simply giving opinion to the OP based our personal experience or knowledge. Op is the one that will sort it out and would make his decision as an adult.

JC,

 

[Jbrink64]

That is true enough. Let's just say the bolt is class 2 and one replaces with class 5 equivalent pin. In the case of law suit obviously manufacture blames owner modification, case closed even if the replacement exceed original specs. We're simply giving opinion to the OP based our personal experience or knowledge. Op is the one that will sort it out and would make his decision as an adult.

JC,

Is cutting the tubes, lowering the bar and installing pins guarantee a failure? Probably not. Will a 5'8" operator be safe? Probably. The owner can do what he/she wants with their machine, the problem is when someone else gets injured.

As a mechanic, I won't disable or change any safety item. If something happens, it's my tail on the line. That's the only point I'm making.

 

[spankyscamp]

I had a 1210 that we bought new without a ROP. I later bought a left over one from the dealer and installed it but it was to tall to go into our trailer. So I clamped a 2 X 4 across the uprights to get the height I needed, attached a string to the top middle and ran it down to the center top front of the hood and made sure when I sat in the seat I was under the string (I am 5-7). I cut 7 inches out of the middle of the uprights and welded it back together. Some years later ground gave away and rolled over onto blacktop road. No damage to tractor or operator. Pulled back over and finished cutting.

 

[Carykong]

I lean towards Grayson's view. Leave the rops alone just like it was engineered to perform and modify the garage opening or build a shed for this tractor.