Folding Rops and BH

Volnavy · Feb 10, 2005

I'm sure this is a newbie question, but I had two dealers give different answers so I don't have much faith in them. Question: is a folding ROPS required when using a BH and why?

On dealer just said it was required, could not explain why, the other said it was not required. ??

Thanks

grandad · Feb 10, 2005

Depending on the model of tractor and backhoe, the operator position on the backhoe can be very close to the ROPS. If the ROPS were not folded out of the way, you would get a nice collection of goose-eggs on your head!

8561 · Feb 10, 2005

Not sure of the size tractor you are looking for but on the B series Kubota, the folding is necessary because in the upright position, the folding ROPS bar is taller. You need the extra height to sit on the backhoe seat without banging your head on the bar.

Volfandt · Feb 11, 2005

I can only comment on the BX23 and it has the folding ROPS.
My guess is Kubota made the ROPS higher which then required it to be foldable for a couple reasons on the BX23.

Higher because when one flips the seat around for BH operation, it raises it a few inches higher than in the driving position, which is directly under the ROPS. Thing is, one would have to be well over 7' tall before ones head would get anywhere near to hitting it. They're making sure theres [lenty of clearance IMHO.

Foldable to enable the tractor to fit through std garage doors. At 80 some odd inches, the ROPS on the BX23 wouldn't fit into most all residential garages.

I've seen pics of the BX2230 w/a Woods BH and it had the std non-folding ROPS on it. Since the Woods has an additional seat for the BH and it is outboard from the tractor & ROPS, there is no clearance issues with it.

IMHO, the folding ROPS is only necessary when the tractor is too tall to clear std garage door opennings and if one doesn't forsee adding implements or modifaications to the tractor that raises it up to where it won't clear then I don;t think theres any added advantage to having one.

Volfandt

Volnavy · Feb 11, 2005

I am lookng at the L 3400 HSD tractor with a BH 75 backhoe. I don't think garage clearence is a problem.

chucko · Feb 11, 2005

I have always worndered about the saftey of a folding ROP.
So you fold the thing down to work with your hoe (that just don't sound right) and your hoe grabs a root or something then what happens to you?

If the ROP is soooo important when running the tractor then why not with the hoe?

KirkMcD · Feb 11, 2005

( I have always worndered about the saftey of a folding ROP.
So you fold the thing down to work with your hoe (that just don't sound right) and your hoe grabs a root or something then what happens to you?

If the ROP is soooo important when running the tractor then why not with the hoe? )

How fast are you grabbing this root that you can flip a tractor?

Anyway, on a BX22/23 the ROPS fold towards the backhoe, and is lowered mainly for storage of the tractor if it has to fit through a low-clearance door.