adding hinge point to ROPS

[Billrog]

Fits now .

 

[pmsmechanic]

View attachment 560636View attachment 560637
Fits now .

I love it! It's good to see someone post a well thought out change when a manufacturer doesn't make something that works for you.

The local dealer used to take their John Deere 4X00's/4X10's to the welding shop to have a hinge welded into the roll bar if that's what the customer wanted.

 

[/pine]

I love it! It's good to see someone post a well thought out change when a manufacturer doesn't make something that works for you.

The local dealer used to take their John Deere 4X00's/4X10's to the welding shop to have a hinge welded into the roll bar if that's what the customer wanted.

Anyone that has modified their ROP structure could be faced with a reduced resale value IMO...just sayin...!

 

[fried1765]

Anyone that has modified their ROP structure could be faced with a reduced resale value IMO...just sayin...!

Seems like resale paranoia to me.
If the ROPS needs to be modified for owner convenience ......just DO IT!
Looks like Billrog did a high quality modification!

 

[Oldoak]

Seems like resale paranoia to me.
If the ROPS needs to be modified for owner convenience ......just DO IT!
Looks like Billrog did a high quality modification!

Yep, I'm surprised how much of that exists here on TBN. Of course some people may trade tractors as often as they do autos?

When you think about it, is it worth inconveniencing yourself for years just because you may or may not loose a few trade-in dollars way in the future? I for one, always purchase what I want, if I can afford it, and modify it to what suits me best at the time, not what I think someone else may want if/when I sell it in the future.

 

[Rustyiron]

I've said this before on this topic, but I think they make them (ROPS) so tall is to prevent the machine (in most roll over's) from rolling over rather than just "laying over" on the side. Clearly several feet of ROPS clearance above the seated operator provides no additional protection.
Cut, weld & drill all you like with the above mentioned points in all the posts in mind. This topic always brings up the seat belt question next.

 

[aczlan]

I've said this before on this topic, but I think they make them (ROPS) so tall is to prevent the machine (in most roll over's) from rolling over rather than just "laying over" on the side.

That is one reason, I think there is a second one as well.

Clearly several feet of ROPS clearance above the seated operator provides no additional protection.

Not quite. If you look, the crush zone when you roll over goes from the top of the roll bar forward and down to the top of the front of the engine.
Not all tractors are equipped with roll bars or front brush guards, so they can't include that in their calculations.
That is why the roll bar has to be so high on some tractors.

Aaron Z

 

[dragoneggs]

That is one reason, I think there is a second one as well.

Not quite. If you look, the crush zone when you roll over goes from the top of the roll bar forward and down to the top of the front of the engine.
Not all tractors are equipped with roll bars or front brush guards, so they can't include that in their calculations.
That is why the roll bar has to be so high on some tractors.

Aaron Z

Exactly... this is why we pay engineers to design things that we depend on... not just for work but for life. Hack away on your ROPS. I'm sure you figured out all the OEM design requirements, most coming from years of trial and error. My airplane wings are too long to fit in my hanger... let me shorten them a bit... I know I can still get enough lift to get it in the air.

 

[PILOON]

Here is my 2 cents.
From my aviation background I can suggest what I'd consider a safe mod as there exist approved methods of splicing tubing.

The method is to use an insert method, that is a smaller tube that fits snuggly.
You'd want about 3-4" to protrude into both sides of the cut.
The top 1/2 would be permantly affixed (weld or bolted) and the lower simply pinned using 3/16" pin or bolt. (reasoning being that you'd not want the top portion to drop off while the tractor is inverting.)

I'd also suggest that the insert tube be a gauge or 2 thicker walled.

Naturally this is 'at your risk' as I have not compiled any tests or engineering analysis.

 

[Groo]

For those that actually read the original post and gave an answer; thanks. I won't be shortening ROPS as I sit very tall.

For those that might find this thread in a search and make it this far; the hinge point would seam to be chosen by the OEMs to keep the tractor from flipping over backwards when pinned in the low position.

To the rest of you; **** right off.