4shorts does full service on my bx and repairs axle leak

[PapaPerk]

I watched Paul's video. He did a very nice job shortening the ROPS. As good or better than factory.

Only issue with shortening ROPS is if other operators are taller than owner. But hey... It's the guys tractor and he can do what he wants. This way the ROPS will be up all the time.

Some of you guys really need to chill. (0: I have two tractors with no ROPS! Oh my how have I survived this long?! Lol

Thank you Paul for the videos. I enjoy watching some of your techniques... I've learned a few tricks! (0;

 

[4shorts]

I watched Paul's video. He did a very nice job shortening the ROPS. As good or better than factory.

Only issue with shortening ROPS is if other operators are taller than owner. But hey... It's the guys tractor and he can do what he wants. This way the ROPS will be up all the time.

Some of you guys really need to chill. (0: I have two tractors with no ROPS! Oh my how have I survived this long?! Lol

Thank you Paul for the videos. I enjoy watching some of your techniques... I've learned a few tricks! (0;

Thanks Papa. Glad you liked the videos. I know exactly what you mean about the ROPS but when you think about it, there's guys out there that could kill themselves with a Qtip so that's why the ROPS system is needed.

 

[ultrarunner]

Paul... do you have a closeup of the ROPS?

Looking at mine I was thinking the most straight forward way to shorten it would be to take an equal section from the top bar on both sides.

 

[4shorts]

Paul... do you have a closeup of the ROPS?

Looking at mine I was thinking the most straight forward way to shorten it would be to take an equal section from the top bar on both sides.

No sorry. I only shot video of the job. I didn't want to cut from the top and join it. Thought it might not look tidy. By removing it from the hinge tube the shortened section went down in the hinge pocket and once welded it was as strong as OEM.

 

[PapaPerk]

No sorry. I only shot video of the job. I didn't want to cut from the top and join it. Thought it might not look tidy. By removing it from the hinge tube the shortened section went down in the hinge pocket and once welded it was as strong as OEM.

Yes this was THE way to do this modification. Very nice work!

 

[ultrarunner]

Next time I over to where the BX is I will need to look at the ROPS a little more closely...

Can't quite picture how the hinge is configured.

Back the vocational ed welding class we made roll bars for jeeps and pickups... and one of the guys rolled his several time going over the edge of trail... the bar was battered but did it's job and saved him for sure...

 

[Arc weld]

Modifying a ROPS does void the certification unless it is re-tested and re-certified. There are many ROPS that are designed for roll over but not tested. That said, a roll bar is useless if you don't also wear the seat belt and a big majority of people don't. There's plenty of ambulance chasers in Canada.

 

[ultrarunner]

That brings up an interesting question...

The ROPS on my CAT D3 dozer has a certification plate riveted to it and I think it is for 1 1/2 rollovers. (There was also a forestry option ROPS that is certified for multiple rollovers)

Anyone know how many rollovers a Kubota BX is certified for?

In California a Dealer must install seat belts when selling a used car that does not have them... as a 12 year old, it was my job to drill the holes to anchor the universal seat belts in all the cars that did not have them... mostly 50's and early 60's passenger cars...

Never heard of anyone getting sued through the Dealer Association trade journals on Used Car Dealer seat belt installs...

 

[Arc weld]

The 1 1/2 times might refer to the weight the roll bar is designed for. I watched a show about heavy equipment and they said the roll bar for a D11R is designed for 1 1/2 times the weight of the machine.

 

[tractorgp]

Here's a few clips from the video we took a few hours after we got the BX back from Paul. Have a few computer issues so video quality not up to standards

 

[4shorts]

Here's a few clips from the video we took a few hours after we got the BX back from Paul. Have a few computer issues so video quality not up to standards

Bob if I had to pick one positive thing out of this it would be seeing you now using your tractor with the ROPS in place. You do have a unique way of getting on and off the machine when using the back hoe.:laughing:
I don't think there's any comfortable way of doing so. I've been tempted on fabricating a few larger steps on the back hoe. Thanks for posting the video. It's sure been windy lately.

 

[tractorgp]

Bob if I had to pick one positive thing out of this it would be seeing you now using your tractor with the ROPS in place. You do have a unique way of getting on and off the machine when using the back hoe.:laughing:
I don't think there's any comfortable way of doing so. I've been tempted on fabricating a few larger steps on the back hoe. Thanks for posting the video. It's sure been windy lately.

Paul - I find that's the best way for me to get on and off to use the backhoe. Did it the same way before ROPS mod too. Don't mind the wind as next project (after my current BX attachment) will be a windmill

 

[WaxMan]

Here's a few clips from the video we took a few hours after we got the BX back from Paul. Have a few computer issues so video quality not up to standards

At 11 secs in your video, it shows that your head is very close to the Rops, sometimes when using the backhoe like when fighting a stump, you get tossed around a bit in the seat. Be careful you are going to get knocked in the forehead without warning because it happens real fast. Like when your pulling on a root and the tractor picks up and bang drops you back down.
I would wrap some foam around the Rops. Or better yet just wear a hard hat.

This is why Kubota made it taller, Not because they didn't want it to fit into the garage. That and if you did roll over there would be a less of a chance of getting your head caught between the ground and the top of the Rops snapping your neck. That is why Rops are much higher then we think they need to be.
That is why is not a good idea to shorten the Rops, even though it was an excellent job as always, just not the best idea.

If the concern is forgetting to raise the Rops.
A truly Rops safety device would be a mercury switch at the hinge to a flashing RED light on the dash. When the flashing red light is on your Rops is down.
So anytime you're moving in or out of the garage the red light must be flashing. When your outside and operating the light should not be on. If it is on, it will be a constant reminder that you must raise your Rops.

 

[TripleR]

I kind of hate to get involved in the whole ROPS height debate, but I couldn't help but notice the height on my BX2660 is 70.4" while that of the BX2670 is 87.2"; looks like I need to add about a 17" extension to mine in order to avoid certain catastrophe.

 

[WaxMan]

I kind of hate to get involved in the whole ROPS height debate, but I couldn't help but notice the height on my BX2660 is 70.4" while that of the BX2670 is 87.2"; looks like I need to add about a 17" extension to mine in order to avoid certain catastrophe.

I think the difference is if the tractor has a backhoe or set up for a backhoe is why its higher.

I think the chances of rolling over while using the backhoe is slim to none. So its just a matter of hitting your head on it while using the backhoe. I also think driving around with the lower hight would not be a problem. As for the Rops being strong It's probably welded better then the factory one was.
But then again I am not a Rops engineer so it doesn't matter what I think. Just an observation I made watching him use the backhoe in the video. It looked uncomfortable to use at 11 sec

 

[tractorgp]

Without referencing any particular comment here's three pictures that give some idea about clearances with the new ROP dimensions (on my BX). There is one foot clearance between top of my head to inside top of ROPS while in the "driving" position. I'm set pretty far back from the ROPS while in the backhoe position. It all feels good.

 

[bp fick]

I kind of hate to get involved in the whole ROPS height debate, but I couldn't help but notice the height on my BX2660 is 70.4" while that of the BX2670 is 87.2"; looks like I need to add about a 17" extension to mine in order to avoid certain catastrophe.

Yeah. Couldn't have told you how tall my ROPS are but just measured them. Non folding variety. 71" on my machines, as setup. Not very tall. Got no dog in this hunt, but sure did enjoy 4Shorts work videos, as always.

 

[murphy1244]

Without referencing any particular comment here's three pictures that give some idea about clearances with the new ROP dimensions (on my BX). There is one foot clearance between top of my head to inside top of ROPS while in the "driving" position. I'm set pretty far back from the ROPS while in the backhoe position. It all feels good.

View attachment 391692View attachment 391693View attachment 391694

I like the Horn..

 

[TripleR]

I think the difference is if the tractor has a backhoe or set up for a backhoe is why its higher.

I think the chances of rolling over while using the backhoe is slim to none. So its just a matter of hitting your head on it while using the backhoe. I also think driving around with the lower hight would not be a problem. As for the Rops being strong It's probably welded better then the factory one was.
But then again I am not a Rops engineer so it doesn't matter what I think. Just an observation I made watching him use the backhoe in the video. It looked uncomfortable to use at 11 sec

But the BX2370 is not set up for a BH is it? I know the BX2360 isn't. I understand there may well be a difference in need if you have a BH.

I am talking about comparable machines. I can pretty much guarantee there would be similar hows of protest if someone modified their BX2370 by cutting it to match the BX2360 height.

I just suspect some things on our tractors may be more a matter of expediency than safety; make a one size fits all ROPS and save a few bucks on tooling.

Just some thoughts.

 

[4shorts]

Paul - I find that's the best way for me to get on and off to use the backhoe. Did it the same way before ROPS mod too. Don't mind the wind as next project (after my current BX attachment) will be a windmill

Hey, what ever works. They are tough to get on and off of. Windmill! Now that's going to be nice to see. Can't wait to see it

Without referencing any particular comment here's three pictures that give some idea about clearances with the new ROP dimensions (on my BX). There is one foot clearance between top of my head to inside top of ROPS while in the "driving" position. I'm set pretty far back from the ROPS while in the backhoe position. It all feels good.

Well you look plenty comfortable to me. :thumbsup: I'm staying out of this ROPS debate. I'm guilty by association. See the trouble Bob you get me in :laughing:

Got no dog in this hunt, but sure did enjoy 4Shorts work videos, as always.

Thank you very much. Nice to hear that :cool2: