Lower profile ROPS

[Mike5252]

Has anyone found a lower profile ROPS for a 2520?

The standard ROPS is causing me fits. Its too tall to fit in the garage (several dings on the door frame to document this) and when folded interferes w/ my 3pt hitch mounted snow blower.

 

[kennyd]

Nothing like that is commercially available.

 

[davitk]

The safety police will turn me in for this, I am sure, but there is nothing about a ROPS that cannot be safely modified by a qualified welder. Lowering a ROPS a couple of inches so it can be left in the full up position all the time is much safer than a ROPS that is folded. Just do it.

 

[ToadHill]

Run a string from the top of your ROPS to the high point on the front of your tractor. Sit in the seat and see how much of your head is under or over the string. That will let you know how safe a lowering if your ROPS will be.

 

[RollTideRam]

On my 2520, I folded the rops and let it rest on the pins instead of putting the pins through the holes. It gave me a few extra inches I needed. JC

 

[Toolguy]

I say shorten it. If you do not feel that you can do the job yourself, I am sure a welding shop would do it for a reasonable charge. You probably only need to shorten the top piece by a few inches. Once it is welded back together it should be as strong or stronger than it was originally. In fact, the shorter ROPS will have less leverage force trying to bend it than the stock length does. A ROPS is not a high tech device. Do not let the safety police scare you from modifying it. A properly shortened ROPS that is up all the time and ready when needed is going to be a lot safer than one that is too tall and folded down and not there when you unexpectedly need it.

 

[elalexander]

Mike. We are seeing the same problem as we shop for a 790 or 20 series. The 790, now 3005 won't fold and the 2520's look like they stick out further when folded compared to a 2320. We have trees to mow under and I don't want to have to cut limbs off just to mow.
Toad gave you the right formula with the string. I'm sure JD and others don't or won't change the design due to liability issues. They really look good when upright on the showroom floor

 

[frank_f15]

i agree with some of the others, just have it lowered unless you are too tall and need the full height for your protection.

 

[JDFANATIC]

I say shorten it. If you do not feel that you can do the job yourself, I am sure a welding shop would do it for a reasonable charge. You probably only need to shorten the top piece by a few inches. Once it is welded back together it should be as strong or stronger than it was originally. In fact, the shorter ROPS will have less leverage force trying to bend it than the stock length does. A ROPS is not a high tech device. Do not let the safety police scare you from modifying it. A properly shortened ROPS that is up all the time and ready when needed is going to be a lot safer than one that is too tall and folded down and not there when you unexpectedly need it.

I would recommend you purchase a new ROPS and modify that rather than modify the original -- this way if you ever sell the tractor you can return it to OEM state instead of subjecting yourself to potential liability should anything go wrong.

 

[davitk]

I would recommend you purchase a new ROPS and modify that rather than modify the original -- this way if you ever sell the tractor you can return it to OEM state instead of subjecting yourself to potential liability should anything go wrong.

Maybe I am dense, but what liability?

 

[jdbower]

Maybe I am dense, but what liability?

The liability comes in if you forget to mention to the buyers that you disabled/modified a stock safety device and the buyer becomes injured because of it.

Another thing to consider is that the ROPS isn't just so you can land upside down and not get squashed, but also so if the tractor rolls it's more likely to roll onto the side and stop rather than flip entirely - that's one of the reasons for the height.

This doesn't mean don't modify it, just be sure you know what you're getting into before you do it. My land is flat and it would be hard for me to flip unless I did something stupid, I can't see the tractor actually rolling without being struck by another vehicle. And if you use the ROPS without the seat belt you may be better off just removing it so it doesn't provide a false sense of security

 

[RalphVa]

You might find a dealership where they have a 2210 or 4010 or maybe a 2305. The fixed ROPS on 2210s and 4010s is just low enough to fit them underneath a standard double opening or overhead garage door. I take my 4010 through both. Then check the bolt pattern vs. yours. Next measure height to the bolt pattern. If everything measures okay, you could possibly get a ROPS from a 2210 or 4010 in parts. 'Twould have to be the right height and bolt pattern.

Ralph

 

[JDFANATIC]

Maybe I am dense, but what liability?

In today's world one would be foolish to think they would be shielded from liability just because some densenut drove their tractor over a cliff. If you modified the ROPS, and due to the legal system entrapment called "joint and several liability" you might stand to lose everything you own. Over a $300 ROPS, I submit, the purchase price of the extra ROPS to return the tractor to OEM state is a pentance.

 

[JiminGa]

You might find a dealership where they have a 2210 or 4010 or maybe a 2305. The fixed ROPS on 2210s and 4010s is just low enough to fit them underneath a standard double opening or overhead garage door. I take my 4010 through both. Then check the bolt pattern vs. yours. Next measure height to the bolt pattern. If everything measures okay, you could possibly get a ROPS from a 2210 or 4010 in parts. 'Twould have to be the right height and bolt pattern.

Ralph

I don't believe this will work, I have a 2305 and it just barely fits the garage by about 1 1/2". it has much less ground clearance and smaller tires. I think if you put the rops on my tractor on a 2520 it would be too tall to fit in the garage.

 

[davitk]

In today's world one would be foolish to think they would be shielded from liability just because some densenut drove their tractor over a cliff. If you modified the ROPS, and due to the legal system entrapment called "joint and several liability" you might stand to lose everything you own. Over a $300 ROPS, I submit, the purchase price of the extra ROPS to return the tractor to OEM state is a pentance.

you've got to be kidding me, you could be sued for everything you own just for walking accross the street at the wrong time. Think about it: how many cars are bought and sold that have been "modified" from OEM status and yes people occasionally get sued. But so what relax figure the odds, after all that's what insurance companies do; self insure. Or buy a spare ROPS and modify that. Not something I would lose any sleep over.

 

[Inspector507]

Or buy a spare ROPS and modify that. Not something I would lose any sleep over.

That's exactly what he recommened.

 

[Runner]

I wonder if, rather than modifying the rops, one could fabricate a lower height hoop for the top half, then, use the original pin holes to mount it. I think you might even be able to come up with one that would allow the original top section to remain in place (folded).

Then, it would be quick and easy to return the machine to original condition.

 

[jdbower]

Of course, at some point it becomes easier to just modify the garage to put a larger door in - that'll work for the next tractor you buy as well

 

[itn]

what about just letting some air out of your tires before you pull it in. had a buddy who did it with a pickup that didnt get used all the time it worked and was cheap.

 

[flyngti]

what about just letting some air out of your tires before you pull it in. had a buddy who did it with a pickup that didnt get used all the time it worked and was cheap.

Yes, but if you DO use your tractor all the time, doing this would be a PITA.