ROPS coming loose!

[chanceu]

I called the service department at the dealer where I bought the tractor and explained the problem. The service manager told me that it may have simply vibrated loose and I should tighten it.

Looking at it, what is loose is the bracket that wraps around the axle and not where the actual roll bar connects to the bracket. Unless anyone can give me a compelling reason why I shouldn't and there are no signs of damage, I'm going to tighten the brackets and see what happens. If there's enough bolt leftover, I'll probably put a second nut on too. If they come loose again, I'll take it to the dealer and let them handle it.

 

[Soundguy]

While I wouldn't call it 'normal' wear/tear.. it is good practice to kick tires and look for loose nuts / bolts on a tractor every couple weeks or more, depending on use. Thes machines vibrate and someimes stuff does come loose.. although.. mostly.. once you get them snugged.. they pretty much stay there. Witht he rops bolts.. i think I'd add some green loctite ( post assembly type ).. after it was tightened / fixed.. etc.

Do call the dealer and ask them what they think.. especially if it is under warranty..

Soundguy

Soundguy is exactly right. I've attached a parts diagram of the ROPS. Parts #19 and #20 are the brackets that wrap around the axle and you can see on part #20 where the 3 point limit chains attach. When I move the 3 point arm left or right far enough to put tension on the limit chains, I can see these brackets move on the axle. I can also push and pull the ROPS forward and backward and see those brackets move on the axle.

My question wasn't whether this was right or wrong, but whether this was normal wear and tear or not. When I saw it, I knew it was wrong, but I didn't know if I should tighten it myself or make the dealer do it. I will call the dealer tomorrow and see what they say. The biggest problem I have is that I didn't buy it from a local dealer. The dealer I bought it from is about 90 miles aways and the closest dealer (if you call one side of Atlanta to the other close) mainly deals with commercial stuff. The last time I had it there, I felt like a kid with a toy.

 

[Soundguy]

Sounds good. Either jambnut or loctight post assembly green.

Soundguy

I called the service department at the dealer where I bought the tractor and explained the problem. The service manager told me that it may have simply vibrated loose and I should tighten it.

Looking at it, what is loose is the bracket that wraps around the axle and not where the actual roll bar connects to the bracket. Unless anyone can give me a compelling reason why I shouldn't and there are no signs of damage, I'm going to tighten the brackets and see what happens. If there's enough bolt leftover, I'll probably put a second nut on too. If they come loose again, I'll take it to the dealer and let them handle it.

 

[chanceu]

The nuts I mentioned before were definitely loose, but there didn't appear to be any damage. I tightened them and put on a second nut with Loctite. I used blue and not green. The green said it was for up to 12mm and it was a 12mm bolt. Other than that, I couldn't find any real difference in the blue and green so I'm curious why the green was recommended?

 

[Soundguy]

Green is a post assembly product. IE.. you can apply it to a bolt that is already tightened down and it will wick. Most of the other LT has to be applied WHEN you thread the nuts on.. etc.

I've pretty much only used red and green. Taht is.. before / after.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[JerryG]

I don't know if it would be appropriate in this case or not but what I have done in the past is drill the nuts and bolts. If the nut that was loosing up was big enough, I would torque it, and then drill it for a small cotter pin or safety wire. It would depend on; if there were more bolts to be drilled or where the other bolts were whether I would use a cotter or wire. I have never had a drilled and pined bolt come loose. Like I said, I don't know if this procedure would be appropriate for this application. The manufacture might be able to shed some light on that.