ROPE too TALL

[Chilly807]

Well, if it was mine, I'd probably consider cutting it too. I suspect a new one is pretty expensive.

I know, how much is safety actually worth, compared to the price of a chunk of steel.

In reality, cutting three inches out, sleeving the repair and rewelding it wouldn't do too much to the ROPS integrity in all likelihood.

The lower height may be a more important factor, how much height do you need over your head in case of a rollover? I don't know, and doubt anyone else here really does either.

Sean

 

[Mace Canute]

When I saw the topic name I thought you were talking about this...

 

[Don87]

When I saw the topic name I thought you were talking about this...

But that rope is too short..........he can't reach all the apples:laughing:

 

[Redgoatea]

My wife says you're supposed to want to add inches not take them away. :-D

 

[Don87]

My wife says you're supposed to want to add inches not take them away. :-D

Women always say that...........but should we go there on a tractor forum?:laughing:

 

[RobertN]

I'd start by reading the posts mentioned; this has been discussed a LOT here. A search will bring up even more threads on the subject.

If a new folding ROPS is too expensive, maybe go to a race car fabricator or 4 wheel drive shop. Both build ROPS for race cars, Jeeps ect. They could modify your ROPS.

 

[Ford tractor]

Park it outside? Take off the ROPS (Roll Over Protection System) and take your chances? That would make it like millions of older tractors.

Owners can bugger up safety stuff and get away with it -- if you tell future owners. I wouldn't mod one, but if it were to, I'd probably cut it off at the bottom where the connection to the axle is. More work, but you can reproduce the factory quality.

 

[LBrown59]

When I saw the topic name I thought you were talking about this...

:laughing:

 

[beppington]

(See pic below) Make a couple ramps for your front wheels to go up & over. Set them inside the garage door at just the right distance from the door so that when the front wheels go up, the ROPS leans back & down, becoming a little shorter, & goes under the door.

On my L3940, I calculate the ramps would need to be ~11" high to bring the ROPS down ~2".

You can make the ramps by just stacking 8 pieces of 2x12's (or narrower 2-by's if that's all you have).

Once you figure out exactly where the ramps need to sit, mark the floor with a permanent marker.

Kind of a pain in the butt, but should work.

(This would also be a pretty darn good theft deterrent!!)

 

[GaryCrowell]

Beppington's idea is certainly a good one, but knowing me I'd forget the ramps one day and back it out, tearing down my shed. I think the risks are too great that you'd have a senior moment and damage the shop one day. I personally think folding ROPS are a pain in the butt. Mine folds but I've never used it, thankfully my door is high enough. I can't imagine folding and unfolding that thing every time I put the tractor up. The same principle applies about forgetting as the ramps, sooner or later you'll forget to put the thing down when pulling into the shop. Airing down the tires isn't going to do it.

Personally, I'd take the ROPS off, take it to a decent machine shop, and have them cut the brackets on the bottom, shorten it 4" and re-weld the brackets on. Of course it depends upon how the ROPS is built as to whether or not it's practical on your tractor, on my Massey it would work no problem. Any competent machine shop would be able to do the work and have it turn out as strong or stronger than the factory unit. I know of two shops in my town of 40,000 people that I would trust to do the work and have no worries at all about it when it was done. It's your tractor, modify it if you need it to work for you. Tell the new owner if you sell it. I wouldn't let some extreme paranoia keep me from doing with my own tractor what I needed to do.