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I do question if the liability of modifying a ROPS by adding a hinge that duplicated what the OEM does would be any more of a concern than making a repair to a vehicle that was in an accident, for example. Or say welding up a frame on an old vehicle.
The point I was trying to make was that I would be willing to take the risk of modifying a ROPS if I wanted to, as the reality of the matter is that the modification would not weaken the ROPS structure. I know it can be argued that one has not proved that the structure was not weakened, but in a sense it would have been proven by the orginal OEM design which was copied.
I really have no interest in racing cars, but there are people who do this and install roll cages and so on in vehicles for racing/recreational purposes. Is there a liability concern in these cases? I don't know but do know a lot of people are doing these things, and I doubt they are all doing the welding themselves. Many do it themselves, but some are doing it and getting paid to do it for others. How would welding up a roll cage for someone be different than modifying a ROPS on someone's tractor? Granted the roll cage is an addition, while the hinge on a ROPS would be a modification. But both are installed for the same purpose, protection of the operator of the vehicle.
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I don't get worried about what people do with their equipment. I took the ROPS off my 1720 last year as it doesn't fit inside the barn door I use it in.
Liability is the name of the game. The unibody engine frame on dad's Nova seperated from the rest of the car - only the bell housing was holding the engine compartment on. Noticed it because the clutch would slip - clutch was good, engine compartment was moving..... Anyhow, local mechanic would not fix it for liability, but he found a welder that made brackets - that way mechanic could shift liability to the welder. Also wanted cash on that job, no paper trail.
RR had track bits break, needed them welded. An old-time welder (relative, actually, with _some_ personality....) bragged he was the only one in a 5 state area that would weld them together. Of course, it was liability - no other welder would take it on, this guy welded out of his garage on his city lot for 35 years, doubt he ever had insurance.
So liability does enter into it.
The sanctioning body of the race specifies what roll cage is needed. Pipe size & thickness, number, type of corner gussets, etc. It's all very, very spelled out. The race we help marshal & time had an accident, driver & codriver were killed. SCCA stopped santioning the events, insurance spiked up too high from that. The people building the roll cage have nothing to do with it, as they followed the design spec to the letter. Sanctioning body ends up holding the ball on a deal like that.
Are you using the same welding rod as the OEM? Is the tube any thicker on the new foldable welded ones? Is the base different, to make up for the folding joint? Don't think you can say you are copying 100% what the company did.....
ROPS is a safety device, only purpose. A truck frame is designed for a whole lot more, & needs to meet weight & stiffness specs. Just a different engineering deal.
In principle, I have no problem with you or a qualified welder doing such a mod. It's just that anything that goes wrong is now on your head, not on the original builder. Pretty much the whole story on that. You modify it, & any problems are your problem.
I think most of the words to the wise on this topic is just that - think before you do it, as you will void manufaturer's liability is all.
Was at a farm auction once, was a little IHC A or B tractor (which one is off-centered?) & had a home made belly mower on it. The 2 old batchlor fellas made it with a vertical shaft & a blade - there was no sheilding at all. Even the auctioneer said, I just sell it, I'm not liable for using it!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
--->Paul
