little knobs on bx rops - what are they for?

[ampsucker]

anybody know? i assume to tighten like a set screw, but they aren't doing much on my system but getting in the way and snagging branches when i'm mowing. i think if all they do is tighten the rops, then they might be overkill compared to those huge hardened pins that go through the main holes.

any body see a safety issue with removing the little knobs? i normally just leave them loose anway, as the pins seem to hold very well and i'm constantly changing the position of the rops for trailering, mowing, etc.

amp

 

[J0be269]

The little knobs you speak of are on the side oppisite of the pin on the ROPS? If so, they are just there to push the ROPS up against the pin when in the full up position so it does not rattle back and fourth when you are using the tractor. My B 2620 did not have the knobs when I got it, olny the place for them to go. Within a week I had some bolts of the correct size in the holes to make the ROPS stop annoying me as I drove.

If you don't mind the rattling....or if your tractor does not do it, then I cannot think of any other good reason to keep them. I'll take them if you don't want them though

 

[ampsucker]

Thanks! So far, no rattles, the fit is very snug. I think I'll hold on to them, though, since it will eventully loosen up. Thanks for the tip, though!

amp

 

[rdsaustintx]

Yeah they are just to keep the pin joint from rattling. But what a PitA for mowing around low brush. I have broken two of the knobs off. $11 for replacements...

 

[irvingj]

Here's the system Massey uses for the same purpose on the GC 2310-- requires a 1/2" wrench due to the locknut, but hangs down instead of toward front... knobs look interesting (wouldn't have to grab the wrench ), but I can see where they'd catch stuff the bolt wouldn't. My yellow light, on the other hand....

 

[Berniep]

I like the knobs. They make a good place to hang the water jug or a dust mask.

 

[diggindoc]

My wife had me fold the ROPS so she could mow under trees, and she hit a low branch and broke one knob in half. I bought a replacement, but found on the other side, instead of that knob breaking, the nut that provides the threads for the knob to tighten against actually broke loose from the ROPS bar (looks like it was spot-welded). Now it just spins so you can't tighten or loosen that side without fiddling with a wrench. I should toss all the knob stuff. There's no rattling, but I'd hate to have a ROPS fail to do its job in a rollover. Are you guys sure the knobs are only for rattleproofing?

 

[Jimbrown]

Diggin doc iIam with you. I say the knobs are there to take all of the forward/ backward slack out of the ROPS if there is any slack in the joint and the tractor hits someting or rolls the slack will let the two pieces of the rops act just like a bolt cutter and cut the pins.

 

[Mike_V]

Diggin doc iIam with you. I say the knobs are there to take all of the forward/ backward slack out of the ROPS if there is any slack in the joint and the tractor hits someting or rolls the slack will let the two pieces of the rops act just like a bolt cutter and cut the pins.

I completely understand Jim's point. It seemed that way to me, too. However, if they are that important, then Kubota has a real safety issue. Mine, at least, unscrew themselves. I used to find them behind the seat until I stopped using them.

 

[timalabim]

I thought the knobs are for removing christmas lights.

While mowing caught a string on my left knob as I was passing by. Never knew until I came around to the end of the lawn and turned around. Had 100' of wire/lights and a couple of small branches from the lilac that the lights had been on trailing behind me.