Replacing Bolts On ROPS With a Hitch Pin????

[WranglerX]

That's sort of the way mine are, but the OP says the nuts are welded to the ROPS frame, so this option would not work.

IF OP is intent on doing any mods the integrity of engineered design is compromised anyway, just remove welded on nuts or drill through....

Dale

 

[jmc]

I did mine with these. While they work well and are 100x faster that the factory bolts with nylock nuts and are completely tool-less, they don't hold quite as tight so there is a buzzing noise from them at certain rpm. Good tradeoff to me since I have to fold the ROPS to park mine in the container, but I do notice the extra noise from the change.

That's a good solution since you had a detached retaining nut.

For noise, did you consider adding a compression spring between one of the red shoulders and the rops?

 

[jeff9366]

That's a great idea, I considered it...its really the best option except that Kubota only sells the bolts as a kit (two bolts, wire lanyard, and cotter pin) for $47.80 EACH SIDE, or $100 out the door with tax. You can't get the bolts separately. Maybe I can buy some rear bolts from someone who never uses them anymore.

I believe the ROPS are made in Kubota plants in Georgia, not Japan.

The factory bolt is 5/8" X 16 threads per inch (fine thread). 5/8" bolts are easy to find but are usually 12 tpi, (coarse thread). If you find a 5/8" X 16 tpi thread bolt in your local hardware store it will almost certainly be Grade 8.

If you plan to grind the threads off, you can start with any grade 5/8" bolt of appropriate length. As the threads will be ground off it does not matter if the bolt is originally coarse thread (readily available) or fine thread. However, without threads you will have to drive 5/8" diameter altered bolt in and out with a mallet and you will bugger welded-on-nut threads. (Maybe you will be able to chase the nut threads later, maybe not.)

Once the bolt becomes a pin, how will you retain the threadless pin in the ROPS? You will not be drilling a hole for a hairpin clip in a Grade 8 altered bolt utilizing home tools.



Ahh....that is why you need a 9/16" diameter clevis.

 

[AGTtactical]

If you plan to grind the threads off, you can start with any grade 5/8" bolt of appropriate length. As the threads will be ground off it does not matter if the bolt is originally coarse thread (readily available) or fine thread. However, without threads you will have to drive 5/8" diameter altered bolt in and out with a mallet and you will bugger welded-on-nut threads. (Maybe you will be able to chase the nut threads later, maybe not.)
Once the bolt becomes a pin, how will you retain the threadless pin in the ROPS? You will not be drilling a hole for a hairpin clip in a Grade 8 altered bolt utilizing home tools.
Ahh....that is why you need a 9/16" diameter clevis.

Not entirely true...by removing the threads from the original bolt, the part of the bolt going through the welded nut will pass through the nut without affecting the nut threads, as it will only be 9/16" in diameter. The tip of the bolt can be tapered slightly so it centers passing through the nut without damaging it. I'm going to talk to my Kubota dealer to see if they have any used ones.

 

[AGTtactical]

I wish you all the best.
I have been through all this.......I am outta here.

Well, ok. Not sure what you disagree with...you said a 9/16" pin passes through pretty much perfectly. Your input has been very much appreciated and helpful, but the threads removed from a factory bolt ends up being a little under 9/16" so it should fit just like you 9/16" pin. Here are the pics...I'm clearly not into the bottom of the groves and it shows 9/16".
View attachment 585239 View attachment 585238

 

[AGTtactical]

Thank you to everyone for the great ideas.

 

[mapper]

ROPS pin on Massey Ferguson is smooth clevis pin with spring
retaining key, it also has knobs to tighten against pin to keep from rattling. Pins also have cable tethers so they are impossible to lose

 

[3Ts]

Once the bolt becomes a pin, how will you retain the threadless pin in the ROPS? You will not be drilling a hole for a hairpin clip in a Grade 8 altered bolt utilizing home tools.

I've never tried to drill a grade 8 bolt so I accept this statement as fact, with one exception. A grinding wheel will take on everything I know of. If one was to get a 4-1/2" cutoff wheel (the thin one) and cut a grove completely around the pin near the end, a hairpin clip could still be used.

 

[aczlan]

Grade 8 pin?

Dale

If that's the same one as they sell at Tractor Supply around here, it's a grade 5 pin.

Aaron Z

 

[AGTtactical]

ROPS pin on Massey Ferguson is smooth clevis pin with spring
retaining key, it also has knobs to tighten against pin to keep from rattling. Pins also have cable tethers so they are impossible to lose

Yeah, Kubota should do the same thing.