why not hose clamps

[jwstewar]

I used the 2" square u-bolts - I guess if they are square they aren't a U are they? Anyway, that is how I held my ROP lights and the rear worklight. Rear work light is still held that way, the forward lights are now mounted to the canopy.

 

[bigdad]

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You need to buy UV stabilized ty-wraps. Usually they're black.
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Tried those and that didn't help. Good for about a year. I like the hose clamp idea.

 

[George in Spokane]

Hose clamps are a good way to attach stuff to the ROPS. I use them to fasten an expanded metal safety screen to the ROPS on my Mahindra 5525 to protect my backside when using my 6ft Hawkline brush hog.

Flusher,

Great idea. It sure beats my helmet!


George

 

[Opti-Mist]

The liability issue arises if anything is done to alter the integrity of the ROPS "as manufactured". Attaching items with hose clamps wouldn't, unless a rust conditions develps as a result. I do the hose clamp route myself. So far so good.

 

[TedLaRue]

ninefinger,

This thread has turned out to be a lot more interesting than I expected! It never hurts to bring up an old subject for further review.

Wouldn't the liability issues only matter if the ROPS failed (e.g., collapsed)? If someone got injured or killed and the ROPS didn't collapse, would it matter if the ROPS had a work light welded to it (assuming the work light didn't injure the operator)?

I think the main reason for welded on brackets is convenience. Hose clamps and u-bolts/square-bolts work well, but they're a bit "fussy" to mess with compared to tightening up a couple of bolts in a fixed bracket.

I wouldn't drill a big hole in my ROPS, but if I wanted to screw something to it, I wouldn't be afraid to drill a 3/16ths hole in for a sheet metal screw. And I wouldn't be afraid to do some light welding to attach something to it. But I'm not recommending that others do this; make your decision and assume your own liability.

 

[KevPH1]

I also used the 2" sq.tube U-bolts from TSC. Mounting my rear facing work lights was a snap!
Just added another nut to the U-bolt holding/bolting the lights in place.

No drilling/welding to the ROPS. "Thats a good thing!"

 

[BobRip]

ninefinger,

This thread has turned out to be a lot more interesting than I expected! It never hurts to bring up an old subject for further review.

Wouldn't the liability issues only matter if the ROPS failed (e.g., collapsed)? If someone got injured or killed and the ROPS didn't collapse, would it matter if the ROPS had a work light welded to it (assuming the work light didn't injure the operator)?

I think the main reason for welded on brackets is convenience. Hose clamps and u-bolts/square-bolts work well, but they're a bit "fussy" to mess with compared to tightening up a couple of bolts in a fixed bracket.

I wouldn't drill a big hole in my ROPS, but if I wanted to screw something to it, I wouldn't be afraid to drill a 3/16ths hole in for a sheet metal screw. And I wouldn't be afraid to do some light welding to attach something to it. But I'm not recommending that others do this; make your decision and assume your own liability.

First, I am not a lawyer. It seems to me that if someone got hurt, they would have to show that the cause of the injury was from the holes drilled in the ROPs. Basically it would have to fail at the hole that you drilled. IMHO

 

[Soundguy]

Seems like the welding *could* do all sorts of things including making voids, ruining temper, deformation.. stress cracking .. etc.

I'd hate to be on a jurry on a case where some prerson died on a tractor and it had anything to do with the rops, and there was clear evidence of modification to the rops.... even if the rops didn't completely fail.. I can't help but think that the mod might have contributed is nome small way, *perhaps*.. once you start introducing doubt.. 'proof' becomes less of an issue... I'm sure many verdicts swing on doubt vs proof..

soundguy

ninefinger,

This thread has turned out to be a lot more interesting than I expected! It never hurts to bring up an old subject for further review.

Wouldn't the liability issues only matter if the ROPS failed (e.g., collapsed)? If someone got injured or killed and the ROPS didn't collapse, would it matter if the ROPS had a work light welded to it (assuming the work light didn't injure the operator)?

I think the main reason for welded on brackets is convenience. Hose clamps and u-bolts/square-bolts work well, but they're a bit "fussy" to mess with compared to tightening up a couple of bolts in a fixed bracket.

I wouldn't drill a big hole in my ROPS, but if I wanted to screw something to it, I wouldn't be afraid to drill a 3/16ths hole in for a sheet metal screw. And I wouldn't be afraid to do some light welding to attach something to it. But I'm not recommending that others do this; make your decision and assume your own liability.

 

[3RRL]

The issue of doubt is a good one, along with what "could" happen to a modified ROPS. Sometimes what is perceived is more powerful than the truth, no matter how much evidence is presented. In fact, the outcome of any verdict is a crap shoot anymore, at least it is out here in our Kookoo Kourt system.

Back on track, I'm with Ted myself. I've done some hole drilling and welding to the ROPS so it's obvious how I feel about it. But also like him, I advise against it because of the reasons above and of those others already mentioned. Using clamps is a great alternative for those concerned with the liability and retaining the integrity and reliability as designed regarding ROPS. Then again, you never know, something crazy could be brought up ... hose clamps introduced undue pain and stress onto the ROPS (improper torque on the screw) or the paint was compromised and caused failure, excessive (yet to be defined) heat from lights cause premature failure, etc.
Shees, I'd be afraid to guess what else a clever attorney would come up with. ROPS are a touchy and reverent subject, so it's best to follow the manufacturers advice and warnings.

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. no argument there... the legal system is wonkey these days...

soundguy