Stupid F#$%^(* ROPS

[PeterK]

Ok, I've been fighting this thing long enough. The BX 24 ROPS is too tall to get into the garage, constantly worried about taking out a wall with it. Yes, I know the tennis ball on a string trick to remind me too. So it has to fold to get in and out of the garage.

But even outside I have to leave it down. Too tall to mow around the yard under trees. First time I used the BX I split a crab apple down the middle when the ROPS hooked it. It was a large 30 year old crab too and the part that split was over 6" diameter - the trunk was ~10". Lots of power and I was laughing then but now it's gotten to be a PITA.

I leave it down all the time unless I'm using the FEL. I've only used the BH once so that sits in a corner of my garage. Leaving the ROPS folded down creates a 4 foot wing that is also dangerous. I've taken out a window while mowing close then turning, damaged several trees with the adjusting knob (broke one of those too). Yesterday I took out my wife's favorite ceramic bird feeders. What were they thinking? Why didn't they just design the thing to fold all the way down instead of 1/2 down? Is there a mod I could do?

I have a hard top soft cab from a 2350, but my ROPS sits outside like a stupid wing out the back. So I can't back closer to anything closer than the ROPS will allow.

In the garage, it has to stay folded to keep from taking out a standard garage door. So this stupid wing has nearly knocked me silly when I do maintenance and stand up into it. I hate this thing.

I know it's a safety issue and I'd prefer a shorter one, maybe swap out the taller one when I finally do have a need for the BH. Re-reading this I wonder if it is more of a safety issue folded down than up. But in the up position, I can't use the tractor in a yard with trees.

So .. . what are my options? Mod to fold this one down? Will a 2350 top section fit the BX24? H E L P Anyone got a used one from a 2350 for reasonable $$?

 

[KeithInSpace]

I'd ask the dealer what a 2350 ROPS would sell for. It may be less expensive than you think.

I personally run my Woods BH on my BX2230 with "normal" ROPS and have no problems at all running the BH. Haven't ever given it a thought, to be honest. I've never run the BH on a BX23, 24, or 25 and I'm sure the easter-basket ROPS is as roomy as a Cadillac, but I simply see no reason for it to be so big.

I think you're barking up the right tree.

 

[Deano]

Someone posted how they cut it down and re-welded theirs. I have looked at mine and have been thinking about doing the mod also. I haven't tore up as much stuff as you have (knock on wood) but I have smashed my head into it NUMEROUS times when hooking things to the three point hitch.

Deano

 

[Reg]

Maybe tractors just "aren't for YOU " ?

Machinery doesn't HAVE stupidity, it is inanimate.

 

[radioman]

I also hated the way the BX rops folded down too. I had alot of trees to mow under and the rops is too high. I ended up taking the top half of rops off for a long time. I finally got the courage to cut all the tree branches up high enough for the rops to go under. I ended up with several trailer loads worth to burn/chip. Anyway, I seen the way my fathers MF folds down all the way and it makes sense and don't understand why kubota makes BX stop half way where it can chip the darn paint!!!! I even banged my head a few times when I went down to the 3pt to hook up something when I parked the implement under a tree branch too low for the BX. SIGH! beleive me peterk I know how you feel.

After I finally built a new garage (needed a excuse to use the BX- lol) for the BX high enough doors, cut all low offending tree branches , I now can say I have the rops back on and up all the time.

All I can say for you peterk, perhaps you could look into how you can improve using your BX on your lot and see what works for you. New taller garage doors ? (i couldn't do that with mine due to way it was built) new garage? use a portable garage kit ? take tractor to welding shop and have them cut it down enough ? who knows? only you know what best on your lot.

 

[Bigkrank]

I leave the high factory bar down on my B2630 and bent a round one out of roll bar tubing that doesn't stick up as high. I welded solid plugs in the end and drilled and tapped it for two bolts so I can take it off if I ever need to. It fastens thru the holes that lock the original one up.

 

[Redbug]

The rops on my L3830 has a position where it will fold down half way for going under limbs, etc. I wonder why that option is not with all the models, (save on costs)? I wonder if the bolt holes would line up to do a swap with another model?

 

[PeterK]

Maybe tractors just "aren't for YOU " ?

Machinery doesn't HAVE stupidity, it is inanimate.

I'll rephrase just for you. Stupid design(ers) who designed the BX24 ROPS. What were they thinking? Oh yeah, they weren't thinking of the impact (pun intended) of practical usage of the BX for the average +-5 acre home owner that has trees, landscape, and a normal height garage door opening.

90% of my tractor usage is for mowing and snow removal, 10% FEL work, grading, pulling a trailer, and chipping. I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that this is the target for marketing the BX series.

 

[/pine]

just an opinion (not trying to be a smartazz) but maybe a smaller lawn mower is the answer? i.e., a machine made more for working in close quarters to immovable objects?

I mow a rather large yard with many trees and my riding mower is much more adept at manuvering around trees, shrubs etc. than my tractor

 

[ray66v]

I'll rephrase just for you. Stupid design(ers) who designed the BX24 ROPS. What were they thinking? Oh yeah, they weren't thinking of the impact (pun intended) of practical usage of the BX for the average +-5 acre home owner that has trees, landscape, and a normal height garage door opening.

90% of my tractor usage is for mowing and snow removal, 10% FEL work, grading, pulling a trailer, and chipping. I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that this is the target for marketing the BX series.

Thank the US department of meddling fools, (aka Congress). Designers of a ROPS are required to build them, following federal regulations that dictate the size.

Roll-Over Protective Structures - 70:76979-77025

The top of the ROPS= 30'' inches above the highest point the part of the seat you sit on, can be set at. The inside dimension of the frame is 24" wide. I would assume these are minimum dimensions.

It should be obvious to everyone that the designers of ALL tractors, can't be oblivious to the fact that this is an issue.

 

[PeterK]

Wonder if the feds also stipulate that a folding ROPS can only fold 1/2 way back - this is my main gripe with the design. If it truely folded down like other mfgs, it would be better IMO. But by having it stick out the back like a wing, it's a danger. Unfortunately, the design MUST account for the high seat setting for when using the BH. Otherwise I could have a shorter one like the 2350 and still be in compliance.

Thanks everyone for your help. I just mowed with the ROPS removed... nice. I'll just put it back on for FEL and BH work.

We have 7 acres, mow approx 2 grass, treed yard with apple trees, mow 3 acres field and brush, till several gardens, heat with wood and cut from our 12 acre wood lot, so we use the chipper for branches to make our own compost. Smaller mower is out of the question.


BTW- I sold my JD 345, Troy-Bilt horse, DR 18HP tow behind chipper, Ariens snowblower, etc to buy this BX. The JD did a better job on the lawn, not just edges but overall a better cut. But the power steering of the BX has it beat by a mile as far as comfort and handling. And the KKII 48 tiller is no comparison to the Troy; it takes longer to set up and clean after tilling but really really nice. The Kubo blower is also amazing, simply amazing.

 

[sw03]

Ok, I've been fighting this thing long enough. The BX 24 ROPS is too tall to get into the garage, constantly worried about taking out a wall with it. Yes, I know the tennis ball on a string trick to remind me too. So it has to fold to get in and out of the garage.

But even outside I have to leave it down. Too tall to mow around the yard under trees. First time I used the BX I split a crab apple down the middle when the ROPS hooked it. It was a large 30 year old crab too and the part that split was over 6" diameter - the trunk was ~10". Lots of power and I was laughing then but now it's gotten to be a PITA.

I leave it down all the time unless I'm using the FEL. I've only used the BH once so that sits in a corner of my garage. Leaving the ROPS folded down creates a 4 foot wing that is also dangerous. I've taken out a window while mowing close then turning, damaged several trees with the adjusting knob (broke one of those too). Yesterday I took out my wife's favorite ceramic bird feeders. What were they thinking? Why didn't they just design the thing to fold all the way down instead of 1/2 down? Is there a mod I could do?

I have a hard top soft cab from a 2350, but my ROPS sits outside like a stupid wing out the back. So I can't back closer to anything closer than the ROPS will allow.

In the garage, it has to stay folded to keep from taking out a standard garage door. So this stupid wing has nearly knocked me silly when I do maintenance and stand up into it. I hate this thing.

I know it's a safety issue and I'd prefer a shorter one, maybe swap out the taller one when I finally do have a need for the BH. Re-reading this I wonder if it is more of a safety issue folded down than up. But in the up position, I can't use the tractor in a yard with trees.

So .. . what are my options? Mod to fold this one down? Will a 2350 top section fit the BX24? H E L P Anyone got a used one from a 2350 for reasonable $$?

On my Bx22 and now my Bx24 I removed my ROPS unless I have a BH application...If it was some JD machines where it goes 179 DEG down, I would keep it..

But so far, in 1.5 year not having it is great...I install it with the bolts if I need the BH or on hills.

 

[KeithInSpace]

...maybe a smaller lawn mower is the answer?...

I'd wager to day that most (84%, at least) BX purchasers are trying/attempting to combine their 'estate tractor' and their 'lawn mower' into a single machine. The BX is a rediculously large lawn mower, but it does a decent job. The BX is a rediculously small tractor, but it does a decent job.

If I wanted a dedicated lawn mower, I would have gotten a B for a tractor.

Consistent with that decision, I limbed most things up and changed my flower beds so they were compatible with my BX.

The point of the OP wasn't the maneuverability or capability of the BX, just that his particular model, the BX24, has a ROPS big enough to receive radio transmissions from Uranus. It's HUGE, not only in width, but in height. And to have it only fold halfway down is a pain...I'd clunk my head on that thing every time I mess with my 3PH, guaranteed.

It has been a matter of discussion as to whether the "lesser" BX ROPS is compatible with BH use. I can say from personal experience that I don't understand why you need a LARGER ROPS to operate the BH. Mine works fine!

 

[BXpanded]

There was a bit of thought in the design of the half folding ROPS. The folding ROPS is used only on the TLBs (BX24,BX25 etc.) If the ROPS folded any farther it would hit the cylinder rod of the BH crowd cylinder and damage the rod and the hard chrome plating. Imagine how many aspersions of "stupidity" would be heaped on that situation!
As for changing to the BX2350 ROPS, note that the lockdown mechanism for the TLB rotating seat is incorporated into the ROPS. Changing it out would require some fabrication.
It seems that taking off the top half is the only easy solution. A shorter, more compact top section would be the ultimate but I don't know of anyone willing to risk the liability of producing one.

I should add that I don't condone removing or modifying the ROPS in any way. However, it seems even Kubota sees the need for occasioanlly removing it as they post a safety note on a sticker on the tractor "...2. Remove the ROPs only when it substantially interferes with operation or itself presents a safety risk...

 

[Deerlope]

If the ROPS is that big of a PITA take it off completely. When it rolls over and kills you it won't be a PITA anymore. That ROPS was put there by people much smarter that you or I to be sure we were around for our familes. Learn to use it as you did the tractor.

 

[LBrown59]

Wonder if the feds also stipulate that a folding ROPS can only fold 1/2 way back - this is my main gripe with the design. If it truely folded down like other mfgs, it would be better IMO. But by having it stick out the back like a wing, it's a danger. Unfortunately, the design MUST account for the high seat setting for when using the BH. Otherwise I could have a shorter one like the 2350 and still be in compliance..

The ROPS has to be higher so that you have enough room to keep from banging your head on it since the Seat sits higher on the BH than it does for doing other tractor operations.

 

[rdsaustintx]

I have smashed my head into it NUMEROUS times when hooking things to the three point hitch.

AMEN!

Mine is folded most of the time.

 

[Volfandt]

Re: Stupid F#$%^(* ROPS

Gotta concer w/that
After 5 yrs of dodging that blamed thing, I've pretty much got that 6th sense now that tells me when to duck when working around the rear of my BX23. My ROPS is folded approx 75% of the time. Normally I only extend it for BH work.
Many's the time I've had my sawsall in hand ready to go at that monstrosity until one day I got one of those epiphany's and I decided to make it more, ummmm, hip
It's still a monstrosity but the jams be jam'n

 

[ray66v]

Wonder if the feds also stipulate that a folding ROPS can only fold 1/2 way back

The ROPS on my Massey folds all the way back, so I don't think so.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

I too have smacked tree branches with the ROPS but am much more careful now. I trimmed some branches and for other trees I just don't get too close. Yes, I have to finish the job with the push mower but it beats tree destruction or cutting lots of limbs off. It's too bad that the "magical" height for the ROPS is just a bit too high for standard garage doors, but only the lawyers can change that.