Loose ROPS Bolts

[Bird]

Wow, Randy, that's a big picture; had to scroll all over the place to see it all./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Of course you're right, but I think what Harv has is the more common arrangement on tractors, and it usually holds all right. I think you're idea might be considered a little overkill - which I'm inclined to do, too, in most cases.

Bird

 

[Harv]

Randy -

Looks like the bracket is factory original equipment according to my parts manual (see attachment).

Your sketch makes perfect sense to me -- more contact surface makes for a better weld. I'm not sure that the axle housing is perfectly round where the bracket is, but your idea would apply to whatever shape it is.

We've had some discussions about the history of roll bars on tractors, but I don't recall offhand when Kubota made them a standard feature. Although it is now factory equipment, it very likely was not part of the original design.

I'm curious now -- how does the ROPS attachment look on other models of Kubotas? Anybody else got a picture to share?

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>Re: very likely was not part of the original design.</font color=blue>

I suspect you're right, Harv. The ROPS on my B2710 doesn't get near the axle, but as you know I have no camera to post a picture with./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif


Bird

 

[MarkV]

Harv,

The front posts on the ROPS of my B21 developed cracks in an angle welded to the top of the posts. This happened on both sides with one side breaking completely through. I was about to have them rewelded when someone, on the forum, suggested I call Kubota. Although the tractor was out of warranty, Kubota replaced the parts and would have paid the dealer to do the work if I had wanted. You may want to call and see what they say.

MarkV

 

[Harv]

MarkV -

I guess I have nothing to lose by contacting Kubota. If nothing else, I can get it "on the record". /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

I think I'll clean it up, take a better picture of it and try emailing it to them.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Von]

Harv,
I have an older tractor (86') and my ROPS was made here in the USA and was most likely added at the dealer. I think in 86' was the first year that ROPS was mandatory in the USA.

Von

 

[ScottF]

Re: Loose ROPS Bolts cracked weld

Harv,
Just a quick note - if you weld up this crack or have someone else weld it make sure they put the ground as close to the weld area on the BRACKET, not the axle housing. Electrical current travels in strange ways when welding. if you attach the ground to the axle housing you may actually pass the current and arc through the bearings. This would obviously be a bummer since it would toast your bearings. I only say this because I have seen it before - I deal with a lot of large roating equipment at work and this is always a concern.

Scott

 

[Harv]

Re: Loose ROPS Bolts cracked weld

Scott -

Thanks for the caution. It would be just my luck to fix a minor problem and create a major one in the process. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif