wow Thats a large tractor!

[unclesalty]

Ive been in the market for a hst tractor after 10 years on a gear drive. Bobcats sale prices are too good to pass up. My current is a jd 4100. I stopped at kubota to look at a bx25. I was thinking I might like a back hoe. I was suprised to find it was the same size as my rider. the b series were only a little larger but they were still smaller than my deere. and at 15300 for the 2620, just a little too high. My (soon to be) bobcat dealer told me to come down and drive the 230 he had on the lot. (i'm wanting the 225). Wow.
I saw the specs but until you see it in person... You need that step. Well it wont fit in the barn but I like the 0ptions (3 speed hst and the more wife friendly 3 pt hitch) over the 122 sized tractor and it was only 300 more.
Here are my questions for the forum.
Has anyone cut down their rops?
I would take it down about a foot. I will be moving round bales into the barn via the 3 pt and I dont know if folding down the rops will interfere with that task.
I also noticed that the bucket has some free play in it when retracted all the way, it rattles when empty. Is this normal?
How do the plexiglass/plastic foot guards work? they look rather flimsy.
I noticed 2 hydraulic filters, 1 by your right foot and the other hanging in the breeze underneath. The salesman was clueless about which was which or why there were 2. I see a lot of talk about the hanging filter over in the kioti forum. I will probably fab some kind of guard as I will be in the brush occasionally.
Thanks for letting me ramble and thanks to dflek, He posted his invoice and I used it to get a 1200 discount off the price of the 225 deluxe. It will be at the dealer on monday and should be home on wednesday. Pics will follow!
Brian

 

[carpenter383]

I doubt many people will recommend cutting down the ROPS. The ROPS should have a mid position, and I doubt it would interfere with a bale on the back, but you could move it to this position and take some measurments while it's on the lot.
There is a little slop in a quick attach bucket, but it could have air in the curl cylinders allowing them to move some. Raise the loader and curl the bucket all the way down, hold pressure on it for a couple secs and see if it's any better.
I believe the filter by your foot is for the hydrostat, and the one down low would be the hydraulic filter for the FEL, 3ph, etc.

Good luck with your purchase, and post some pics!!

 

[dfeck]

I would ask the dealer to demo the 230 at your place to see if everything works and fits your needs before you proceed to purchase it. I know Bobcat dealers are more than happy to let you demo the products before you buy. At least this was my experience with Bobcat versus Deere and Kubota. Deere and Kubota didn't want to discuss demo'ing their tractors at home. As for the ROPs, I agree, you'll get little to NO support to cut them down but I don't see an issue as long as you have it done correctly.

BTW - I purchased a CT230 and I find myself very happy with it. The plastic shields I believe will do the job but I think it's more a gimmick than anything else.

Doug

 

[J_J]

There are fold down ROPS available. Do a search for fold down ROPS. A good welder can design and make your ROPS fold-able, and stronger than it was. They even have some ROPS that will not allow starting unless they are upright. ROPS are required by law, except for a small exempt category.

 

[CurlyDave]

Buy the fold down ROPS from the factory and have the dealer install it, or just order it that way.

Even if a welder can convert one, it will be expensive, and it will not be tested.

There is a lot of mechanical engineering in a ROPS and sometimes stronger is not better.

I have never seen it on a ROPS, but I have seen other mechanical structures where the proper amount of flex was required to not tear off a mount. Make it stronger and you lose that flex.

 

[J_J]

CurlyDave Make it stronger and you lose that flex.

Not necessarily true, as you are only reinforcing a joint. If you look at those fold down joints, they look like a stiff side plate on either side with a strong pin.

 

[unclesalty]

The 225 does have a fold down rops...The dealer will have it on the lot monday. I've got to go and measure how far back it will protrude when down, I may need a longer storage space. I thought the ideal solution would be to shorten it 12". My dealer said it may void the warranty?? Maybe if the warranty work was because of a tip over.. I don't really see the strength issue, I would cut the tube, bevel the edges, drill 4 holes 1 in each side on both ends, slide in a piece of round pipe, use the holes to weld it in then weld at the bevel. It should be stronger than before I cut it. I guess I'll wait until I have it home to decide how I want to tackle it. Thanks!

 

[Duffster]

I would shorten the ROPS if you need to.

Constantly folding them down will just be a pain in the rear.

I don't see how they could void warranty for modding the rops, Because I doubt that a rollover repair is warranty work

 

[KUNTRYBOY]

Do you mind sharing what the invoice was that dflek posted? Or telling me where i could find it, I am shopping this weekend for a new Bobcat. Thanks.

 

[unclesalty]

try here
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/bobcat-tractors/143251-bobcat-ct230-2.html#post1665900
My dealer didn't have ant 230's left and I could have got a deal on the 235 but it had sat on his lot over 1 year and looked pretty beat. I was looking for a lot more off than he was willing to offer just based on the fact it needed to be repainted.