I'm Gonna Drill My Rops...

tc35dforme · Feb 22, 2004

Re: I\'m Gonna Drill My Rops...

Prepare for my rant....I don't see this one settling out. I think it comes down to individual choice, thoughts, feelings, concerns etc. Its like the other issues that we're not supposed to discuss on this board. They are just too messy and there may never be a definitive 'right' answer.

Lets just agree to disagree. I think many folks in this country have lost a lot of personal responsibility and personal integrity over the years.

Whether its drilling a ROPS, buying a gun, voting for a candidate, or chosing a religion....we each have the freedom to make our choice.

If my choice gets me in trouble, well then my choice wasn't the best, but it was MY choice.

Some of us have had some fun with this thread...poking wise cracks and jokes, lets just not get too hung up on right and wrong on this issue. I don't think we'll be able to get to that point.

I'll step down now...Thank you for the opportunity to offer my opinions.

Mrwurm · Feb 22, 2004

Re: I\'m Gonna Drill My Rops...

Ok, but Henro started it /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Henro · Feb 22, 2004

Re: I\'m Gonna Drill My Rops...

I got a confession to make...I probably won't drill my ROPS 'cause I don't have anything I need to hang from it. I don't so far have the need for lights...

But still I would now drill some small holes if I had the need... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

At the risk of stirring the pot a little more...

dbelisle posted the above picture. At first we all seem to be satisfied that it is totally acceptable. But is it?

Will not the additional height cause different forces to be felt by the ROPS structure at the point where it attaches to the tractor frame/rear housing, in the event the ROPS is called on to protect the operator?

It is my guess that in the end drilling small holes or adding anything to the structure would turn out to be about the same in the legal sense, and that perhaps in reality, the additional height added to the ROPS in this case could indeed contribute more to a ROPS failure than a couple small holes would... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I would advise anyone who is uptight about ROPS modifications take a moment to consider carefully the real effects of any modification they might make. Clamping something on is a modification too...the structure is changed and it will not perform like it would if it were bare, like it was designed to begin with. At least that is how this simple mind sees it... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Anyway, I did not say I was gonna, I just said I would, and still would if I felt the need...and I did start it...and I don't regret it...the discussion has been fun so far...and meaningful to a degree I hope... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Where is Trescrows when you need 'im anyway???? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BIGUN · Feb 22, 2004

Re: I\'m Gonna Drill My Rops...

( There is no limit on the length of time for the responsibility for safety issues. Companies have been taken to court for products built in the 1800's not by themselves, but by companies they purchased and held responsible for injuries caused by theses long forgotten products. Even when individuals removed safety shields, etc. the company who made the product has been held responsible. As a product design engineer, we have this drilled into us by our safety engineers, over and over again. You never outlive the safety responsibility for a product. Also remember, it's the one's with the deep pockets who get sued. )

Man Henro, do you also go around swatting hornets nest for fun? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

OK, first thing you gotta do is shoot all the lawyers. Then go drill all the holes you want. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Better not drive to the store to buy the lights for your ROP either. The odds of you having an accident on the way and getting hurt or hurting someone else and getting sued are probably greater than the odds of flipping your Kubota, having the ROP fail from a tiny hole in it, and getting injured when it does. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Lazy · Feb 22, 2004

Re: I\'m Gonna Drill My Rops...

Hi
My guess is the ROP is going to fail at the point where the pin holds the top section of the ROP. The ones i have looked didn't look all that strong. If I had a fold over type I would weld on some extra steel at that point.

bigger is better

Charlie.

OkeeDon · Feb 22, 2004

Re: I\'m Gonna Drill My Rops...

(
Ah shuckings; I aint got no ROP'S so how can I drill it.

Egon )

Well, let's think about this a little bit. When you drill something, what's the result? There is now a void (nothing) where before there was something. You have it easier than the rest of us; you already have a void. You can drill it all day long and not make it less safe. The only problem I see is the difficulty of knowing where to aim the drill...but, if you poke it around enough, pulling the trigger frequently, I'm sure you'll get in the vicinity of the nothing you have to drill.

It does get confusing if you think that you'd be creating a nothing where there already is a nothing. If two negatives make a positive, will you have something after drilling?

Inspector507 · Feb 22, 2004

Re: I\'m Gonna Drill My Rops...

Bill,
I doubt if those lights that dbelisle has pictured will have any ill effect on the ROPS if called upon to protect the operator. They will smush like butter if it ever gets to the point of a complete roll-over.
I've hesitated to respond so far, although I've read all the posts. I work in the electrical industry. Modifying anything with a certification and/or a listing/labeling will not be a good thing in my opinion. With a ROPS, any change COULD affect the whole system, but will it?? No one knows. The engineers have been charged with the job to come up with a way to protect the operator as much as feasibly possible. It may be at the minimum "acceptable or mandated" protection......may be more than that. They get paid the big bucks to try to protect my hiney. Any modification, anywhere, could affect it's design. If they agree that I should not modify it, hopefully I'll listen.
That being said......my ROPS folds (designed that way), I have all level ground and a lot of trees.....low hanging. My ROPS is very seldom UP /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

thcri · Feb 22, 2004

Re: I\'m Gonna Drill My Rops...

( I got a confession to make...I probably won't drill my ROPS 'cause I don't have anything I need to hang from it. I don't so far have the need for lights...

Where is Trescrows when you need 'im anyway???? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Sure turned out to be a long thread didn't it? Anyway I put my lights under the ROPS and now I can hit trees and I still can get in my garage. I like the magnet approach because now I can turn them any which way I want. Right now I have one forward and one backwards. I even can take them off.

And yes where is Trescrows, I started a thread a while back and we still have not heard from him. Tres you out there come on back.

murph

keeney · Feb 22, 2004

Re: I\'m Gonna Drill My Rops...

Henro, in regards to your photo.

Nice looking lights. However, I am a bit concerned about the brackets sticking down. On my machine, there is precious little headroom as-is. Are you worried that you might snag your head on those sharp corner while bouncing over a bump?

Or does the seat-belt length restrict bouncing enough to prevent that for all anticipated operator heights?

- Rick

frank_f15 · Feb 22, 2004

Re: I\'m Gonna Drill My Rops...

( OK, first thing you gotta do is shoot all the lawyers. )

don't think i could do that, as the bride might get upset if i offed our first born /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif(she is a lawyer, but we still love her) /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif