4300 ROPS

[matttusken]

I bought a Demo JD 4300 (see JD pricing forum) and it is being delivered Monday evening. The one thing the tractor does not have is folding ROPS. I was told that for about $200 they will switch out the fixed ROPS for folding ROPS. Do you think I should switch them out? Do most people ever find the need to fold them down? I know the fixed are shorter than the folding so there might not be as much need to fold them, but, I just don't know if down the road I will regret not switching them out. I measured my garage door and the barn doors. The shorter of the two is the garage door, but it was still higher than the listed 80 inch fixed ROPS clearance (by about three inches).
Thanks, Matt

 

[ronjhall]

Matt
If the <font color=green>JD</font color=green> foldable ROP's is similar to <font color=orange>Kubota's</font color=orange> it will be several inches higher than non-foldable ROP's. If you are going to use tractor for mowing your lawn. You may want to get the foldable ROP's to clear trees and shrubs.

 

[glennmac]

The folding ROPS is definitely taller, probably close to 90". From what I read here, I think the overwhelming use of a folding ROPS is when you cant fit a regular ROPS into your garage. I dont have a folding ROPS on my Kubota and wouldnt want one. I would never fold it. Too much of a hassle. It tends to rattle if it is too loose, and is hard to move if it is tight. I have limbed my trees so I can fit under them. The ones I dont want to limb, I mow around with a lawn mower or my brush cutter, depending on where the tree is. Having said all that, you may find a regular ROPS is a little short if you put on a backhoe.

 

[PaulinSD]

My 1050 and 955 have non-folding ROPS, the 1050 is 1 inch too high to fit through a 7' high door. The 955 is 1/4" too high, but with the box blade on, it just clears.

Paul

 

[cowboydoc]

Personally I'd get the folding rops but that's my situation. I have alot of need for going places where low clearance is a problem. Without the folding rops I would be limited in where I could get to.

 

[Fullthrottle]

Can't beat the folding model for cutting close to trees.

 

[cowboydoc]

One of my thoughts exactly fullthrottle. Also for getting into older barns, going under overhead wires with the tractor on a trailer, getting into some shops to work on it, operating some equipment, etc.

 

[Bird]

Yep, I'd have loved to have the folding ROPS, too, for that reason, 'cept for one small problem. I need some sunshade even more and don't think the folding ROPS would work too well with my canopy.

Bird

 

[Fullthrottle]

I would love to have a canopy, but right now my baseball cap will have to do.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

If you ever want to add a backhoe, I believe a folding ROPS is required. I also need to fold it down to get into the garage - but then the fixed ROPS would probably fit.