just bought new tractor, don't like ROPS installation

[Soundguy]

Please... (chuckle) I guess you've never looked at a scut/cut with rops supports bolted under the fender skins in 2 parts.. where the top of the rops bolts to the riser coming fromt he axle trumpet.. this is a COMMON mounting scheme.

As for the threaded reciever plates.. seen that on larger tractors where the plate is 1/2" or 5/8 thick.. no nuts used..etc...

Soundguy

I understand your concern about the bolts and the plate, but it looks to me that the weak link is them mounting it to the sheet metal fenders.

 

[RoyJackson]

The manual...that wasn't delivered with my tractor yesterday. I will look in that when I get it (the dealer acted surprised when I asked where the manual was, said he would look around for it and send it to me).

The plates thickness is 5/16 inch and the bolt diameter is 7/16. There is a washer under the bolt head but I don't know if it is locking. It is not split locking but it could be internal teeth.

I have no problem with the general ROPS design, but I worry that it is the dealer who cut off the bolts not knowing he was supposed to put a nut and/or washer on the other side. Do dealers normally install the ROPs or does the tractor come from the factor with ROPS installed?

In any case I will go up to the dealers tomorrow, get my manual, ask when my tires are going to be swapped to the ags we agreed on, and ask him if they modified the ROPS installation in any way. Overall I love the tractor and am happy to finally have it (was delivered 1.5 weeks late), but the dealer experience wasn't the best.

I don't think the Dealer installed the ROPS, but I don't know. You should ask him...especially if his team ground the bolts down. If you get no satisfaction at the dealer, go above his head (right to the factory, if necessary).
Just out of curiousity, I did look at the AGCO product brochure (online). There does appear to be bolt heads or the threaded ends sticking up through the ROPS mounting plate.

 

[JerryG]

The ROPS on that model were shipped lose. They are installed by the dealer. On the manuals that I have, it shows that the bolts are threaded directly into the brackets through the fender. There may be some things different with the AGCO versions, but I wouldn't think that there would be much if any for the MFs. The manuals that I have are all for the larger MF compacts. Starting with the MF1500 series, they ship them fully assembled.
I just noticed that you said it was new. For some reason, I thought that it was a couple of years old. I may get into trouble on this. I don't know for sure when AGCO started doing what with the AGCO branded compacts. So, that the above with that in mind. It sure doesn't look like it was put on at the factory. Buy you a set of factory repair and parts manuals. They are usually much less expensive that most of the other major brand companies and they will help you a lot.

 

[skbruse]

Thanks for the replies,
I can't get to the dealer until Friday to ask him about this. Yes my tractor is new but it is a 2005 model so like you were saying Jerry probably the dealer installed them. I can't see the factory grinding down bolts, they would just put the size on that they wanted I would think.
I think I will get a repair manual and just put them on the way they are supposed to be. If they are already properly installed, I will just leave them. From the brochure Roy linked me to it looks like they may be OK. Again thanks for the advice.

 

[schmism]

you would think that design is accetable if there are a second set of "brackets"
that bolt to the bottom of the fender and run down to the frame.....

if none exist, i would add them if your worried about its structural integrity.... (after all its nothing but an overgrown riding lawnmower isnt it )

 

[scott_vt]

The plates thickness is 5/16 inch and the bolt diameter is 7/16. There is a washer under the bolt head but I don't know if it is locking. It is not split locking but it could be internal teeth.

I have no problem with the general ROPS design, but I worry that it is the dealer who cut off the bolts not knowing he was supposed to put a nut and/or washer on the other side.

Afternoon skbruse,
I think you will find that design more than adequate ! 7/16"x14 bolt will have 4 full threads in that 5/16" plate. You could lift up an entire regular sized car with a 1/4" eye bolt. I realize that lifting is not the same as the stress of rolling a 2000 lb tractor on its side but IMO you have adequate protection !

 

[Soundguy]

Scotty I was just noticing yuor sig line at the bottom. man.. that's some funny stuff.. comma's and all..

Soundguy

 

[scott_vt]

Scotty I was just noticing yuor sig line at the bottom. man.. that's some funny stuff.. comma's and all..

Soundguy

Mornin Chris,
Yeah, that was a direct quote from "thingy", IMHO it was one of the funiest lines I have ever read on this forum ! I havent seen him post of late, I hope he is OK ! I like to try and keep everyone smilin yea know !

 

[Thurd Ferguson]

Yeah, that was a direct quote from "thingy", IMHO it was one of the funiest lines I have ever read on this forum ! I havent seen him post of late, I hope he is OK ! I like to try and keep everyone smilin yea know !

I believe thingy was banned.

 

[Soundguy]

For good reason too,,,,, still... it was a funny,,, quote! (wink)

soundguy