Canopy - Clamp or Drill mount to ROPS??

[RG_Upton]

I have a canopy from a decrepit Yamaha golf cart and would like to mount to my tractor ROPS. I am thinking of using EMT to fabricate a simple cantilever mount to join the existing frame of the top to the ROPS. Should I drill mount holes in the ROPS, or use some sort of clamp? Where can I find appropriate clamps?

 

[Tom_Veatch]

Don't know how much margin of safety is built into the ROPS, how many or how big the drilled holes would be, or how much that would reduce the safety margin. But, I'm fairly sure the ROPS wasn't tested or certified with those holes.

My engineering background is in the aircraft industry where, because of weight limitations, safety margins are small and the modifications you propose could very easily reduce them to zero or negative numbers. I'm sure there is, normally, a much higher margin in the tractor world. Even so, I strongly urge you to use some sort of clamp or other attachment that does not modify/compromise the ROPS structure.

You also want to make sure the canopy attachment is a "weak link". In a rollover situation, you do not want the canopy structure to introduce significant loads or moments into the ROPS structure that were not present or accounted for in the ROPS test protocols.

Before you do anything irreversible, seek advice from the ROPS manufacturer. No one knows better than they, what should or should not be done about mounting extraneous devices to the ROPS.

 

[RG_Upton]

Thanks, Tom. Your points about safety and safety margin are great points to ponder, and exactly the reason I posted the query. My preference is to use some sort of clamps to attach the canopy -- but I don't know where to get such clamps for mounting to the 2x3 in. tubing of the ROPS.

Number of drilled holes would be no more than six or eight 3/16 or 1/4 in. at the most. Using thin-wall EMT of 1" or so would ensure that the canopy mount is by far weaker than the ROPS, regardless of how it is mounted.

FWIW, the tractor is a MF1030 (bought used) with what I assume to be the factory ROPS on it.

Russ

 

[MrJimi]

Russ, you would be surprised how strong an angle metal welded to your canopy then clamped with Stainless hose clamps would be, try it!
Jim

 

[MadReferee]

Almost all aftermarket canopies are fastened to the tractor ROPS using some type of clamping mechanism. C-clamps, 2 pieces of metal sandwiched between the ROPS are the most common. None of them require welding or drilling into the ROPS.

Disclaimer: I am NOT the ROPS police.

 

[Soundguy]

In all likelyhood, if you drill, cut or torch the rops.. you pretty much void any legal obligations the manufacturer may have had.

Best is to use 'u' bolts as clamps. A ubolt holding a bracket works fine.. and doesn't damage the rops any..

Soundguy

I have a canopy from a decrepit Yamaha golf cart and would like to mount to my tractor ROPS. I am thinking of using EMT to fabricate a simple cantilever mount to join the existing frame of the top to the ROPS. Should I drill mount holes in the ROPS, or use some sort of clamp? Where can I find appropriate clamps?

 

[radman1]

I have a canopy from a decrepit Yamaha golf cart and would like to mount to my tractor ROPS. I am thinking of using EMT to fabricate a simple cantilever mount to join the existing frame of the top to the ROPS. Should I drill mount holes in the ROPS, or use some sort of clamp? Where can I find appropriate clamps?

My fiberglass canopy has a 3/16 or 1/4" plate on the outside with 2 U-bolts on each side to hold the canopy on. Make it sturdy. Lots of movement with a canopy when traveling over rough ground. I use to trailer mine with the canopy on as well.

 

[BB_TX]

Mine uses a form of "U" bolt. I say a "form of" because the bolt is squared off instead of rounded like a conventional "U" bolt. Being square, it fits perfectly around the square ROPS. If you have a good hardware store nearby, try it. I seem to remember seeing the square "U" bolts in one nearby.

 

[PineRidge]

BIG U-bolts can be picked up at places that repair or replace automotive leaf springs.

 

[jimmysisson]

So can smaller ones to fit your ROPS. Maybe trailer spring u-bolts up to pickup size will work.
Jim