BX25 Full Cage Rollbar

[Artisan]

I APPLAUDE your posts NHMitch... ( and others.......... )
Thank YOU all...

THAT is what I call PASSION "."

I have a factory "ROPS" on my BX25. Kubota Co. sells a canopy #1133 I
believe that attaches to said ROPS and I would bet that attaching said
does not void any warranties to the OE ROPS system. It is quite the
substancial system...if I remember correctly, FWIW.

Maybe I titled this post wrong, maybe not, but my intentions are to start
thinking about adding a pair of "A" pillars+ possibly joining w/ the 1133
canopy bracket. If I flush out a lurker, or other, w/ pics, who has done it
prior, so I might learn from their "been there done that" knowledge THAT
would be great, alas to date I see nothing built to the standards "I" seek.

I remember that 1133 bracket as being substancial, built just like the
rops it is "if I remember correctly". From there a pair of "A" pillars down
to the FEL rear supports and afix w/ bracketry, again, no welds, no
drilling, just attach to... I will probably make it w/ an "X" or "H" system,
maybe both. I am POSATIVE I can enhance the safety aspect of the
BX25, I hope not for a huge wad of cash as well. I need to fall upon the
right ROPS system, again the OE ROPS may be the ticket. So if anyone
is reading this and if you have a BX25 ROPS you took off I might be
a buyer...

It will need a few things for added support. I may "X" the A Pillars and
throw in a horizontal bar just above the dash, or maybe both...

To date I have not seen anything built for a BX25 that get's my approval.
Nada, Zilch Zip... I have seen a few men make there idea of
a cage, not to my standars is all, they did good, I want to do better...

The end all may be finding a stock BX25 ROPS and modifying it into an
"A" pillar stiuation, used in conjuction w/ the OE unmodified ROPS and
canopy bracket, I mean w/o so much a even painting the OE ROPS, let
alone welding to it.

I think it can be done w/ simple bolt on bracketry. No welding to frame or
voiding any warranties. I saw what can happen personally and trust me,
"something" will be Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy better then nothing
for ROP and FOP AND side swiping branches...

I wish I were made of money, I am not so I have to do mountains of
research on stuff before I implement said ideas, and eventually I will do
something, when all the stars are aligned, it will happen, it WILL work.

Right now I need to make sure the wife has anough cash and the model
number for the canopy I seek seeings how my BD is coming up :thumbsup:

PS & FWIW; I refuse to buy into the train of thought that I
should bow to the Harvard or Yale taught designer / engineer at large and
go w/o, simply because they do not make what I want and indeed is
needed, buy my readings, wanted by a lot more folks than just me.

OK WHO WANTS TO MAIL ME AN OE BX25 ROPS! I'll pay shipping!

 

[swick1]

I think building your own canopy out of 1/8" aluminum with 3/4" of polystyrene bonded to it and maybe 1/8" plywood under that would be way better than the factory fiberglass canopy.

The problem I have with factory canopies is that they can't handle being rammed into a tree!

 

[Artisan]

I have not seen that, I have seen the BX25 1133 canopy and it is
ABS.

 

[swick1]

Maybe I need an orange canopy on my John deere then!

 

[bcp]

I wonder how a section from the floor of an old pickup bed liner would work, or a piece cut from a pickup cap/cover/canopy.

With appropriate frame, of course.

Bruce

 

[swick1]

Bcp, it would work fine. I chose bright aluminum for heat rejection. I don't like the black factory canopies for that reason. They also act like a loudspeaker with minimal insulation. I was also going to put an asphalt sound dampener under the alum.

 

[TCJatko]

"Honestly I think a lot of the perception of the magical powers of factory installed ROPS comes from the backwoods hicks who think they can build a ROPS of FOPS out of electrical conduit and JBWeld."

Uh-oh. Time to re-think my new ROPS plan.

 

[swick1]

I just rented w Jd 35d mini ex and the roof panel was caulked to the round roll cage. It had some dimples in it for stiffness and wasn't too bad sounding. Of course the engine was under my butt with rear facing exhaust too!

 

[lutt]

Some one may have said something about already,but you could get some ideas on cage construction by looking at tractorhouse online,just google tractorhouse, and search for tractors with forestry package, there are a few in the magazine version I have right now. Or you may google forestry package on a tractor. I know the local electric coop has them for bushhogging right a ways under power lines. I was cleaning up a fencerow with the backhoe one time and had a deadfall fall on the cab. So the concern for protection from rollover and debris is understood. Hope this helps. LUTT

 

[Artisan]

Thanx for the input lutt. Were down to less than 3 weeks and I should
have the canopy and serious thought / design will begin.