ROPS for old Kubotas - Photo

[picker77]

Just in case some owners of older Kubotas think they can't use a ROPS, here's a photo of the one Kubota sold me for my L295DT. Works great, was easy to install, just looks a little different from those new fangled things.

 

[ronjhall]

What a great looking tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif How old is it?

 

[picker77]

Thank you, thank you very much, Ron... She's a fine old machine, only 400 hrs, and is either a '79 or '80, never bothered to check the serial numbers to find out. Still starts first kick, runs great, and burns NO engine oil, but lately has developed a couple of minor hydraulic leaks around the power steering cylinder. Guess I'll have to pull it and rebuild it soon, which will be a first for me, never did hydraulics before, other than replace a hose or two on a John Deer 4020.

I'm the second owner, bought it 12 years ago from an older retired gentleman who was quitting his part-time landscape business. The Tufline box blade was on it when I got it, and just got new paint and decals. First thing I did when I got the tractor was add the ROPS/seat belt. The second thing I did was hang a very heavy Rhino SE5 brush hog (with chain guards) on it, and the third thing I did (immediately after that) was hustle down and get a bracket and a full load of suitcase weights for the front! That was right after my first couple of uphill wheelies while carrying the the brush hog lifted. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[KubotaOrange]

That is a nice looking tractor. After reading a post on the ROPS discounts Kubota is offering, I went down and ordered one for my tractor.

Greg

 

[picker77]

Us old L2x5DT guys gotta stick together, Greg. They were a great series of tractors. You are doing the right thing with the ROPS. I have to admit I don't use my seat belt all the time, like when I'm mowing flat pastures, but as soon as I go off level at all, or start mowing ditches, etc., I belt in.

One of my best friends was killed on his compact tractor near Sandpoint, Idaho in 1975, a month after he retired from the Navy. It was a familiar old story, no ROPS installed and he was snaking logs out. Had the tow chain hooked up above the rear axle centerline (bad idea, of course), and when a log hung up it flipped the tractor over backwards so fast he never had a chance to bail out, and the 2500 lb tractor landed on his chest. His wife found him a couple of hours later. Heck of a way to go for a 39 year old guy with a family.

Have fun and be safe.

 

[KubotaOrange]

A friend of mine was killed on his tractor a couple of years ago. He had an 8N without ROPS and was trying to tow a Bobcat up his steep driveway. The tractor flipped over on him and broke his neck. Another friend's grandfather was killed when his tractor rolled over (in a flat pasture). He was in a hurry and turned too fast. Needless to say, getting a roll bar and seatbelt is a must for me.

Seeing how nice your tractor looks inspires me. You can see how rough looking mine is. It's getting better every day though.

Greg