How do you remove the rops off a 2305

[meb9796]

These are the same rops that are on the 2210, and I'm trying to remove the original rops so I can install some fold down rops that I purchased from Kemco. I've removed the 4 bolts from the top of the rops base plates, and only have one more directly in the center of each base plate. It has a nut on the underside (the other four did not) and I've tried to loosen it, but I'm afraid I might break it if I try any harder. I cannot get a tool on the bolt from the top, since it is in the center of the rops, so I'm open to suggestions.

Only weird thing is that underneath, you can see another bolt next to the one with the nut on it but I can't figure out where it goes. Should I get out the cheater bar or what??????

 

[davkir]

Hope this helps.

 

[meb9796]

AWESOME!! Cheater bar here I come. It's the 'A-cap screw' that I'm having difficulty with btw. I was afraid I'd break something if I kept putting pressure on it (yes I've broken 1/2" bolts before) so wanted to make sure this bolt/nut did in fact come off.

thanks for the response!!

****EDITED******
ok, so I went up and tried, and I ended up using and old torque wrench (since it's the longest that I have) and set it for 150lbs. The torque wrench cracked (ie. it hit 150lbs) and I quit trying. Just for grins I tried to turn it tighter also and nothing budged. I tried both sides with the same results. I still haven't used oil, and I may throw some on before I hit the sack.

 

[meb9796]

told you I'd break something..... First of all, I broke the 3/8 to 1/2 adapter I had on the rachet when I gave it a little more umf (no I didn't have a cheater bar) and it snapped right in two, never seen anything like it. Then I tried to use a smaller rachet and get to the bolt from the top and got it stuck in the small space above the bolt, and yes....I broke that too. The small black piece you turn to adjust which way the rachet will turn, broke off, so guess I'm off to sears tomorrrow, and figure while I'm there I'll pick up an opened end wrench that is big enough to fit the bolt from the top.

for those of you that think I'm crazy, I really think I'm loosing a lot of power with the 6" and 12" extension that I'm having to use. I tried to use them to loosen one of the other bolts on top (as a test) and they wouldn't budge. Once I removed the extensions, they came right out. Anyway, wish me luck!!

 

[meb9796]

In an effort to set the record for replying to your own post the most times .................I finally got the bolts off. Ended up getting an opened end wrench and used a cheater bar, along with some penetrating oil on the bolt from the top and I finally got them off. Now I have to run a tap and die for all the bolts, and hopefully the Kemco rops will go on with no problem.

 

[bigtiller]

Anyone have any idea how much torque was on the ROPS mounting bolts? I put a wrench on them when mine was new just to see if they were tight and found there was nothing to worry about!!!

 

[davkir]

It looks like the spec. is 88 lb-ft. From these posts, it sounds like they may be tighter then that from the factory!

 

[meb9796]

When I used my torque wrench it gave at 150lbs without the bolt budging. I did find out when I took them off that they are 'lock nuts' that I've only seen recently.
Something that I should mention is that when I first got my tactor the 54" MMM fell off after one lap of the yard because it was put together wrong. The dealer came out and fixed it and told me that they guy that had put it together had just gotten divorced after being married for 6 months. There is no telling what else he put together wrong. I had to run a tap and die over all the bolts and holes, so I put never-sieze on them when I put them back.

The kemco rops are on and lasted one 2 hr mowing session without falling off, so I think they are going to do good.

And yes, I forgot to put them down before mowing until I mowed under the first tree!!!!