Shortening folding ROPS on BX24

[johnray13]

Doug,

I have also considered what you are describing. I think you are spot on and see no reason why it won't work. I almost had a tragedy driving under my deck when I forgot to lower the ROPS. I think in my case, the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Three inches would be about perfect.

John

 

[slewisma]

I'm not much taller than you and I hit my head on the ROPS enough climbing into the seat for BH operation that I'd think lowering it would be asking to get bumps on the head a lot more often than the chance to ding the garage trim.

Alter the trim / door opening or hang a reminder like the rope suggestion. You can make yourself remember to lower the ROPS. A good solid smack on the noggin' from the ROPS, a fall onto a hydraulic control and a very heavy / powerful BH might lead to less manageable troubles.

 

[dougtrr2]

I appreciate all the input and viewpoints. For me the biggest consideration may be the clearance in the backhoe position. I may just clamp a 2 x 4 at the new height to check it out. As for the safety issues, I do take it seriously and if there was any doubt I wouldn't do it. But I am also thinking I would be safer with it shortened as then I would have it up all the time unless I specifically needed to have it down. Now I have it down unless I think I may need to have it up.

take care
Doug in SW IA

 

[ultrarunner]

I have no idea how much Kubota sells the part you want to modify...

It's your tractor and if you need to modify it realizing the possible ramifications... that's the end of it.

If you really wanted to cover yourself... you could buy a spare ROPS...

I've been kicking around the same thing over a new B 26... It's just a little too tall and the ROPS doesn't fold.

 

[RedDirt]

If you do decide to shorten the ROPS and you are not absolutely confident with your welding skills, take it to a good welding shop at least for the welding. You may want to bring in a photo first and find out how/where they want you to cut it so they can make the strongest possible retrofit.

 

[vettemanwight]

We have a 1520 ford NH at work . one of the first things I did when I took over was shorten the rops and make it foldable. We mow about 25 acres of lawn and grass. and we have many trees to mow around and we were breaking a lot of branches off. All I ever hear about is liability liability well I have never actually heard on this site about one person that this has caused an impact in there life. no lawsuits !!!!!! Have it welded by a pro and dont worry about it. V

 

[dougtrr2]

In this case there is no welding required. If there was I would be very reluctant to attempt this. All I have to do is just redrill two holes on each side and cut off the excess. Top hole is for pivot bolt and bottom one is for pin. I will be on vacation and when I get back I am going to mount the backhoe and then clamp a 2 x 4 in the proposed location and verify clearance.

Take care
Doug in SW IA

 

[Riptide23]

Doug, you are spot on in the aggravation the ROPS causes. I, for one, do not understand how Kubota can market this tractor to homeowners, and not make the ROPS fit a standard garage door. My god, it's 2 or 3 inches we're talking about!!!

KUBOTA, WAKE UP!!!! Do you ever actually take home any of these tractors to try them out????

Yes, it's a pain in the *** to raise and lower every time. I see pictures often where users just don't bother to raise it.

Yes, I've hit the garage with it.

Yes, it precludes fitting a sunshade or canopy, or cab, or anything else to it to it, and still get it into a standard garage.

No, I will never understand the long-standing blemish the Kubota continues to impose on this otherwise great machine.

At least make a shorter ROPS top half as an option. I'll buy it.

Ah, that felt better. Until the next time I use the BX...

 

[LBrown59]

The BX 23 ROPS has never been a problem for me.
Of course I park it in stalls with tall doorways and keep low hanging branches and limbs trimmed off.
Spose that helps?!

Doug, you are spot on in the aggravation the ROPS causes. I, for one, do not understand how Kubota can market this tractor to homeowners, and not make the ROPS fit a standard garage door. My god, it's 2 or 3 inches we're talking about!!!KUBOTA, WAKE UP!!!! Do you ever actually take home any of these tractors to try them out????

Yes, it's a pain in the *** to raise and lower every time. I see pictures often where users just don't bother to raise it.

Yes, I've hit the garage with it.

Yes, it precludes fitting a sunshade or canopy, or cab, or anything else to it to it, and still get it into a standard garage.
No, I will never understand the long-standing blemish the Kubota continues to impose on this otherwise great machine.
At least make a shorter ROPS top half as an option. I'll buy it.
Ah, that felt better. Until the next time I use the BX...

 

[Berniep]

Doug, you are spot on in the aggravation the ROPS causes. I, for one, do not understand how Kubota can market this tractor to homeowners, and not make the ROPS fit a standard garage door. My god, it's 2 or 3 inches we're talking about!!!

KUBOTA, WAKE UP!!!! Do you ever actually take home any of these tractors to try them out????

Yes, it's a pain in the *** to raise and lower every time. I see pictures often where users just don't bother to raise it.

Yes, I've hit the garage with it.

Yes, it precludes fitting a sunshade or canopy, or cab, or anything else to it to it, and still get it into a standard garage.

No, I will never understand the long-standing blemish the Kubota continues to impose on this otherwise great machine.

At least make a shorter ROPS top half as an option. I'll buy it.

Ah, that felt better. Until the next time I use the BX...

They made it foldable so you could get it in the garage.
I don't see how that's ignoring our needs. I can fold the rops in a few seconds(like about 5) from the drivers seat as I am rolling towards the garage. I do have to get off to raise it but it's not that tough of a job.