Backhoe bent rops

[dodge man]

What ever it was, it took a lot of force to do it. I agree with the others that it doesn't look as if it was rolled. I don't think backing into anything at full speed would bend it that bad. Its time for the rest of the story.

 

[keyman1808]

I'd be concerned if it happened while it was being trailer. I would look at the anchor points on th etrailer and tractor carefully too. Might explain what happened. May have driven under something too low. If that was the case I would be concerned about damage on the tractor where it was anchored.

 

[TheGoose]

Torque = Force x Distance. In other words, the amount of force at the top of the ROPS would be lower than at mid-way.

My bet is that he either caught the very top under his deck while moving fast or had it on the trailer and misjudged the height while backing. My bet is on the trailer. A truck/trailer/tractor weight is at least 5-10x the weight of the tractor itself so the truck would not have to move very fast to bend that ROPS plus you would not feel it as much in the truck. By the time you could stop the damage was already done. Driving the tractor you immediately feel when the rops hits something.

 

[keyman1808]

I have seen someone drive pretty fast with a BX into a garage and smack the Rops on the header and no damage. So I would guess it was strpped on a trailer when it happened. Maybe didnt read the clearence sign at the coffee shop drive thru. Check his laundry cuz I bet he s#@* himself when it happened.

 

[beenthere]

And maybe it is just easier to bend the ROPS than we realize.

I'm thinking if it was backing into a deck that there would be considerable damage to the deck (unless it was a concrete lintel in which case there would be some serious scratch marks on the back of the ROPS).

I'm thinking more (after seeing the pics posted by the OP in the opening post) that backing under a large tree limb might have caused the bend.

Am wondering if just the lower section of the ROPS can be purchased? And put on by the OP or sis's BF, rather than the outrageous $175/hour dealer charge. Haven't heard a rate like that.

 

[beenthere]

............ Check his laundry cuz I bet he s#@* himself when it happened.

I see this comment posted often. But don't think it ever happens. Just an expression ??

I think mythbusters should take this one on.

 

[CBW1999]

Bottom Line- The boyfriend is being dishonest.

I cannot believe for an instant that someone would not notice being hung up on something. On or off a trailer- If you are not able to move, increased throttle is NOT the answer. Doesn't matter if it is hard and fast or slow and gentle- even someone with little experience should be able to figure it out.

The amount of force needed to bend that ROPS as it is- had to be great. Whatever happened, the event HAD to have been noticed. In his defense, if it was someone else/not witnessed by him, I might understand ONLY if he was up front about it. Very wrong for the owner to have to ask for the answer you already know you have to provide.

Hard thing though- asking to pay for repairs in retrospect. As suggested, his homeowners policy may help....... so many things in the fine print... Even harder....splitting a family over this. Almost a no win situation at this point, and truly the exact cause is moot. Something happened while he was responsible for it. If he helps pay great, if not- your choice as how to pursue it further.

Sorry that you are in this position. Good luck- and I hope you are able to establish trust again.

 

[DiezNutz]

I'm thinking more (after seeing the pics posted by the OP in the opening post) that backing under a large tree limb might have caused the bend.

well, technically a tree is a large pile of wood... you might be onto something.

I see this comment posted often. But don't think it ever happens. Just an expression ??
I think mythbusters should take this one on.

If I was Jamie or Adam, I'd have to complain that these weren't the kind of skidmarks the contract outlined...

I cannot believe for an instant that someone would not notice being hung up on something.

Probably the same mentality that thinks the OP won't mind his ROPS bumping him in the head now & then, and that this is acceptable. :confused2:
It's like the scene from A Christmas Story where Ralphie tries to put his broken & twisted glasses on...
"Maybe they won't notice."

 

[TalonDancer]

well, technically a tree is a large pile of wood... you might be onto something....."

.... maybe it wasn't before he hit it, but it is now :ashamed:

Talon Dancer

 

[rjkobbeman]

Well... if the operator backed into something that "wedged" the ROPS, down pressure could have been applied to the rear end causing traction to increase. From there it is a matter of tractor gearing and HP to slowly bend the thing.

From an impact standpoint, I think it would take a lot... but if you wedge it in there in low gear, it could probably bend.

If not that, I think the "on the trailer" theories work.

I think if something happend like a rollover or if backhoe operation cause something to happen, the operator would be beat up... and other signs would be visible.

My biggest concern here is... no matter the cause, I am betting there was a LOT of force exerted down between the front and rear axles... trying to break the tractor in half.

 

[keyman1808]

My biggest concern here is... no matter the cause, I am betting there was a LOT of force exerted down between the front and rear axles... trying to break the tractor in half.[/QUOTE]


Agreed

 

[funwithahoe]

I have seen someone drive pretty fast with a BX into a garage and smack the Rops on the header and no damage.

Ok come on keyman We all now that was you. :laughingI did it yesterday and no damage to the ROPS or the garage - I was going slow.)

 

[sxs191]

WOW.. after looking at those pics that's all I can say. I don't think there is anyway he bent those ROPS while on the machine. (even if he hit something at full speed in reverse) I agree that that must have happened I would say a roll backwards but the BH would have threw it to the side and that looks like it was hit in the middle.

 

[keyman1808]

NOT yet but I have come close. Now my father did it 3 days in a row. That was funny....well not too funny it was my BX he did it with

 

[funwithahoe]

Might make the conversation easier to point him to this thread so he can see what an impartial/educated jury think - On the other hand, you could have saved Sis a huge head-ache and years of her life and you learnd a $1000 lesson. BTW did he offer an appology or to fix it? Sounds like he dropped and ran - If I borrowed that and had an accident it'd at least show up with the part and help put it on.

i heard a wise man say if you loan someone $20 and for the rest of your life they avoid you so as not to pay the money back - That is the best $20 you could ever spend!

 

[twbpc]

I had this exact thing happen to my BX (except it was the Father in Law). He rolled it off a pile of dirt and it fell into a ditch (place where the dirt came from). The damage to the ROPS was nothing more than a little scratch but had other damage to the front of hood. I had Kubota's insurance which cost me $250 deductible and they repaired it even though it wasn't me driving and it was off my property. I have a hard time believing this much damage came from simply rolling it over and a home owner policy probably won't cover it.

 

[Skyco]

My biggest concern here is... no matter the cause, I am betting there was a LOT of force exerted down between the front and rear axles... trying to break the tractor in half.

I'd look at the frame very carefully...I'd almost bet it is bent some too

 

[RobertN]

I've bumped in to stuff with my old Kubota and with my recently acquired New Holland. I have scratched the ROPS, but never more than that.

If this was a $50 repair, I would chalk it up to expierience and not loan it again.

But, as I guessed from seeing the pictures, I was right at about $800-1000.

I would seriously be talking with him, and handing him a bill. That is just totally wrong to do that much damage, and not fix it. And not tell you the whole story.

I'd be checking all the ROPS attach points real careful too, to make sure there are no cracks or anything.

Once repairs are done, I would make it clear to him that he does not even get to sit on that tractor(or anything else he might need to borrow) ever again. He can rent or buy!

 

[funwithahoe]

I've bumped in to stuff with my old Kubota and with my recently acquired New Holland. I have scratched the ROPS, but never more than that.

If this was a $50 repair, I would chalk it up to expierience and not loan it again.

But, as I guessed from seeing the pictures, I was right at about $800-1000.

I would seriously be talking with him, and handing him a bill. That is just totally wrong to do that much damage, and not fix it. And not tell you the whole story.

I'd be checking all the ROPS attach points real careful too, to make sure there are no cracks or anything.

Once repairs are done, I would make it clear to him that he does not even get to sit on that tractor(or anything else he might need to borrow) ever again. He can rent or buy!

Yeah - EZ to be tough on someone else's equipment - I just said to my father how it is so amazing the stuff I buy new seems to last way beyond what I expect it too but the used stuff I buy seems to conck out early - I am not sure what the heck people do to equipment/cars/etc but they must be way rough on it = I don't think I am way gentle on equipment but I do simply ask it to do what it was designed for - and in this case I don't jam it into a tree limb at 30 MPH or whatever?

 

[twinsticks]

okay took pics at house this is what he said he hit only skimming it gping forward. On the back of rops towards hoe you can clearly see on the left side were he contacted the shingles tar is still on bar.. My sister also said hes not good with driving and took out tosections of his fence.. he hit his wood sheed it at least 60 feet long. also which you cant see is a steep hill and retaining wall wich he was grading my sister told me he had used the bx to fill in his brick pavers with small stones so I bet he had a full bucket and was backing down the hill and hit the shed.. I talked to him yesterday and sweers he did not do it so is coming to look at the bx after work .. one more thing he has cameras recording around his house and yard 24 hours a day so I want to see the computer hard drive which it was recorded on.. From the pho e conversation last night he does not want to pay for it... I dont want to end up in small claims court but I am not getting stuck with the bill!!!!