Folding ropes..

[jjcc246]

we all live dangerously for one reason or the other. i'm sure 90% of us have done something stupid with our tractors and when we got done, wondered why we did that. besides all the bad press you've gotten here, it's your desision to change the rops and kutos to you for doing it. nice job.

 

[WilliamBos]

IMHO on the bad press, if they do not like it, do not read it.



Great Job!!

 

[jd2305cd]

Thanks all..

Finished grinding today, then sanded all the sharp edges and made it smooth. Started to paint it and didn't have it hooked good some how. spun it around and bam dropped on the ground, all dirt, metal shaving dog hair....grrrrr.. So have to wait till it dries and lightly sand and paint again.. Nothing is ever easy..

 

[jd2305cd]

Gave them a quick sanding with 220 and touch up second coat.. I'll re-paint them good tomorrow, don't want to get over spray on everything..

 

[harpoonalt]

I think your project came out great and looks good. With a tractor that size, I think your design is strong enough. If you had situations where the terrrain could cause a complete rollover, or multilple spins then I'd be more concerned. I, as I'm sure most of us avoid them as much as we can. My biggest concern would be when you go to sell the tractor. In this "sue happy" world we're in, some knucklehead could do something stupid and sue you for modifying the ROPS and some dealers won't touch stuff where the ROPS has been modified for that very reason. Even if your design is stronger than stock, the data doesn't exist to back it up. Kind of one of those Dilbert situations. Anyway. I think it looks great.

 

[jd2305cd]

Thanks... Most likely this tractor will be with me until it dies or i doo.. But you never know what the future holds so i'll cross that bridge when i get there.

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks... Most likely this tractor will be with me until it dies or i doo.. But you never know what the future holds so
* i'll cross that bridge when i get there.

*You could always replace the altered ROPS with an original Rops upon selling just to be sure your back side is protected.

My biggest concern would be when you go to sell the tractor.
1*In this "sue happy" world we're in,
2* some knucklehead could do something stupid and sue you for modifying the ROPS.
3* some dealers won't touch stuff where the ROPS has been modified for that very reason.

1*This really isn't about sue happy.
Fact remains that the builder /alter of the Rops is liable for his actions.
If it fails somebody is going to pay.
2*You don't have to be a knucklehead to sue .
Any one injured by a failing ROPS is entitled to damages.
3*Like won't accept such a tractor as a trade in.
What does that say?
One thing it says to me is if it's to risky for the dealer to sell a tractor with an altered ROPS I darn sure don't want to have that monkey on my back as a private seller.

 

[jd2305cd]

You kill me Brown.... You are good at saying the same thing that has been said 7 different times..

1 - Show me where it laws that builder / alter of the ROPs is liable for his actions. Yeah i know when I alter these that I am not going to be able to sue JD. But I wouldn't do that any how, if I flip it, its going to be my fault. Any lawyers on here? So i sell with a wavier of liabilty!

Example 1: If i go to the base ball park, get hit in the head with a baseball I cannot sue the park or players. Why because an Assumption of risk is taken to prevent the owner of a baseball park from being held responsible. This often holds true even without a specific waiver of liability. I am not saying this falls under the same category, but i am saying i don't know and i don't think you do either. Pay a lawyer and find out for me...

2 - I agree you don't have to be a moron to sue, just 90% are..

3 - Any good dealer will accept it on trade and put orginal rops back on. no biggy, worse case its knocks off some of the trade in price.

But my metal force shield isn't going to fail so not worried..

 

[shakin]

does anyone think they are screwed if they roll over the rig anyway i do. i don't plan on testing it. i think if it's an easy roll it would be fine. but it it goes hard i think it will fold like a soda can, and i'm referrinig to the factory rops on these, just look at the light weight of the tubing.

 

[harpoonalt]

Kinda what I was saying. Most reasonable people don't put themselves in a position to need protection from a major rollover with multiple turns. Most times I've had that pucker feeling the worst would have been a flop on it's side. If you are that close regularly you need to readjust your pucker string. That said I've watched a logger with a smaller tractor and a grapple do amazing things that I would never try and not think a thing about it. He needs all the rollover protection he can get.I'd rather rely on good judgement and common sense than a piece of steel. Nice to have both tho!

 

[CurlyDave]

Yeah i know when I alter these that I am not going to be able to sue JD. But I wouldn't do that any how, if I flip it, its going to be my fault.

If you flip it you can't sue anyone, your heirs do the suing.

 

[harpoonalt]

Just curious how many people who really are adamant about not touching the ROPS always wear their seat belt. The ROPS is useless if you're not buckled in. I think sometimes the ROPS becomes a focus when many other things can cause injury or death. Planning ahead as to what you do if you do roll it. Keep your hands on the wheel and with the machine. Not grabbing the ROPs so any part of you is between it and the ground. Not as I have been tempted to do when I feel that pucker and want to put your foot out to stop you.
I personally would never touch the ROPS. But if someone obviously put some thought into their design and feels comfortable with it, all we can do is say "I wish you wouldn't" and wish them luck.

 

[Conservation]

I think you have done well. With that size of tractor, you should be well protected.

 

[jd2305cd]

Well she is finished up for now.. I want to repaint it with oil base to get it to match better and go on thicker. Probably tackle that tomorrow..

Drilling the holes..

The bolts, grade 8.8

Folded 1

Folded 2

Up 1

Up 2

 

[jd2305cd]

Now I just got to remember to fold them down before I pull in the geeeerage...

Right after I though that this afternoon, about an hour later i go to pull in.. Guess what they were up... They worked pretty well, front wheels came about a foot in the air..

Got off the tractor, look to see if any of my nieghbors were out, folded them down and pulled in.. WHAT AND IDIOT!!!!! Partly the reason I am going to re-paint them..

 

[LBrown59]

Yeah i know when I alter these that I am not going to be able to sue JD. But I wouldn't do that any how, if I flip it, its going to be my fault.

*If you flip it you can't sue anyone, your heirs do the suing.

And it don't make no matter who worked on the ROPS

 

[RedMahindra]

I have been reading this thread sense it was started. I think if this guy wants to alter his rops that is his business. He is an adult just like the rest of us on here. I see no problem with constructive criticism but it is not necessary to keep repeating it over and over!

 

[polo1665]

I have been reading this thread sense it was started. I think if this guy wants to alter his rops that is his business. He is an adult just like the rest of us on here. I see no problem with constructive criticism but it is not necessary to keep repeating it over and over!

I have to agree here. If you guys want to to fold your ropes, you go right ahead. Just leave me out of it. I'll continue to coil mine like I always have.

Who are these sue happy sons-o-guns anyway, who would take you to court for your rope storage preferences. Must be communists.

Mark

 

[NuBota]

I'm no engineer so have no input on whether JD23s ROPS is safe or not - or any for that matter (don't plan to test) - but looks good and functional
I get more worried about objects around me that I may fall into more so than whether the ROPS holds

JD23 - remember to fold it is the trick - I drove into the garage with it up and got wedged in the door frame. Pulled the pins and tried to drive fwd - no joy. Thought about letting air out of the rears, but they're filled. Ended up working it loose "gently" with a 3# sledge.....

 

[CurlyDave]

...remember to fold it is the trick...

Mount the remote push button thingy right next to the hinge on the ROPS. When you drive out of the garage it is right next to your hand when you put it up, and you close the door.

When you come back, you have to reach right next to the hinge to get the door opener.

I always use a black plastic zip tie to mount stuff to my ROPS, so the safety police won't chase me down for drilling a hole in it...