ROPS Liability...

[Mowbizz]

Got a call from the Kubota dealer and the service rep who took care of the ROPS' "Broken Weld" (see that post).
His first words to me were "I screwed up!" He said that they had to order a brand new ROPS and wanted the serial number from mine. I'm guessing "mother" Kubota gave them **** for "fixing" the weld instead of totally, replacing the ROPS. I told him that I wanted someone to come out to my place and swap the ROPS on site as I didn't want to be without the BX for 2 days while they replace it. He said he'd work something out to make that happen. I guess if I had an accident and the ROPS failed to do it's job, there could have been a lawsuit...and mama Kubota doesn't want to go there!

 

[vtsnowedin]

That's the way it is these days. As long as they don't unduly inconvenience you swapping it out just let it be. Hope you never actually test your ropes.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Today we pay a little for materials and a lot for what a lawyer might do.
"A lawyer is the only thing a coyote won't eat" quote from Willy Nielson as sheriff _________ on Dr Quen.

 

[Ken45101]

Well welding on something like that requires a certified welder and probably involves a welding engineer to write the specs. It's cheaper and safer to just replace it.

 

[Mowbizz]

In my opinion, the weld had nothing to do with ROPS integrity...it was merely, a threaded boss welded to the inside of the tube to accept the ROPS tightening knob...but, whatever!

 

[Ken45101]

In my opinion, the weld had nothing to do with ROPS integrity...it was merely, a threaded boss welded to the inside of the tube to accept the ROPS tightening knob...but, whatever!

An improper weld can affect the integrity of the underlying structure.

Any welding at all, or drilling, voids the certified strength of the structure. Sure, probably not a major issue, but come a serious injury or fatality, the lawyers will be hunting in every crack or crevice. Even the guy who did the weld would be on the liability list for the lawyers. I've seen it happen.

 

[MoKelly]

Today we pay a little for materials and a lot for what a lawyer might do.
"A lawyer is the only thing a coyote won't eat" quote from Willy Nielson as sheriff _________ on Dr Quen.

Everyone hates a lawyer --- until you need one.

I am not a lawyer and hope to never need one.

From what I read, Willy has needed a lawyer a time or two in his life.

MoKelly

 

[radair]

An improper weld can affect the integrity of the underlying structure.

Any welding at all, or drilling, voids the certified strength of the structure. Sure, probably not a major issue, but come a serious injury or fatality, the lawyers will be hunting in every crack or crevice. Even the guy who did the weld would be on the liability list for the lawyers. I've seen it happen.

I'd be interested to know what you're basing these statements on. I'm a structural engineer and previously worked as a welding engineer and I don't agree with you. This appears to be strictly a case of Kubota's policy to minimize liability, not a true evaluation of the structural capability of the ROPS.

 

[Grateful11]

Everyone hates a lawyer --- until you need one.

I am not a lawyer and hope to never need one.

From what I read, Willy has needed a lawyer a time or two in his life.

MoKelly

Amen to that.

 

[dragoneggs]

I'd be interested to know what you're basing these statements on. I'm a structural engineer and previously worked as a welding engineer and I don't agree with you. This appears to be strictly a case of Kubota's policy to minimize liability, not a true evaluation of the structural capability of the ROPS.

I think you might be misinterpreting what Ken said. I agree that an improper weld 'could' affect the integrity of the structure, and I also agree that welding or drilling 'could' void any certification. I don't think Ken is saying that there was any degradation of the ROPS. I do agree with you that Kubota is taking action to minimize liability.