Hi everyone, back from the fires. I looked at my YM240D and see that being the age it is, it doesn't have the side bolt possibility on the housing. Apparently, it's just too old. This tractor was built before ROPS were standard and the aftermarket ROPS does use the four bolts surrounding the PTO and the axle flange bolts. I am familiar with several tragic examples of where homemade ROPS failed, but none were attached as ROPS; they were attached as sunshades. A quick look at the excellent link provided should make it clear, you can't attach a ROPS like a sunshade. My attachment system (rear casting and axle flanges) is taken from a certified ROPS for the 240D. It distributes the attachment over the largest casting of the tractor, as well as adding the strength of 90 degree gussets to each axle. While I like that clean, one point angle attachment provided in the Yanmar parts drawing, I doubt it provides any greater strength than the rear end and the axle flange attachments. With both of these attachments at 90 degrees to each other and reinforced with gussets, it increases the strength tremendously over a sunshade attachment. Look closely at the link, it's hard to believe anyone would have believed in that attachment. It failed for good reason. The bar looked good, it's how they attached it. Think of it this way. When attached just at the axles (like in the link example), the flanges have a high probability of failure. If attached only at the rear (PTO area), the bar may fail at the single attachment point. When attached to both points and reinforced, the strength is increased ten fold.
Not sure if this ROPS would fit a 226, as I am not familiar with it. I would find a 226 equiv in grey market and study those.
I made the press about 25 years ago. It uses a 12 ton jack and the return springs were purchased at a hardware store. The ready rod is 3/4 inch diam and provides about 40,000 pounds of tension before failure. The press is no prize, but has earned my respect over the years. I am amazed at what that unit has accomplished. If I was to do it all over again, I would use two pieces of angle for each side column rather than the channel. This would allow for fitting long unwieldly items between the supports.
By the way, several people have expressed frustration over writing out a reply and then losing it when trying to post. I avoid this by hilighting everything I wrote with the mouse, then copying it to memory before posting. If I have been knocked off or expired out, I simply call up a blank post, paste it back and attempt posting it again. That way you don't ever lose what you wrote.
Again, really enjoyed all of the comments and questions.
