Rops from Kubota manufactured wrong

Yooper

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Okay, I'm a little confused. Is there a third part to the ROPs that ties the two halves together? Such as a 'spud' that goes through both ends of the square tube and bolted through the holes near the end?
 

motionclone

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Okay, I'm a little confused. Is there a third part to the ROPs that ties the two halves together? Such as a 'spud' that goes through both ends of the square tube and bolted through the holes near the end?
yes see post#1 pic#2 for the middle piece. Its a special piece that bolts the two together. Its laying on top to show how far off the holes are from side to side . The holes are 1" too high on one side. But the issue is more than just the holes being off. It was bent wrong.

There is an internal piece that bolts the tops together also seen in pic#2 of first post
 
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CaveCreekRay

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You might be able to weld that frame up, after straightening it, and make an implement for your 3pt. The possibilities are unlimited. The pins for your hitch are cheap and easy to get.

Having taken up welding, I hate to see metal go in the scrap heap. Right now, scrap is almost worthless but, if the trade wars stay alive for a year or more, that scrap will be harder to find because its so valuable.

Example: I found two pieces welded together in my local welding shop recycle bin. I cut them apart and then welded up a frame to haul my generator. GREAT generator but on pain in the shins to try and roll around. Its heavy and the handles are too short. So I welded up this frame and put a hitch mount on it...



The generator sits on the frame securely using gravity... It tows like its not there.



Anyway, you can figure out a good use for the wanky ROPS and make it a useful tool for the ranch.

Ray
 

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Yooper

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yes see post#1 pic#2 for the middle piece. Its a special piece that bolts the two together. Its laying on top to show how far off the holes are from side to side . The holes are 1" too high on one side. But the issue is more than just the holes being off. It was bent wrong.

There is an internal piece that bolts the tops together also seen in pic#2 of first post
Forming metal is more dark art than science. You can make that work by loose assembly and some persuasion with a long pry bar. Use it until the new one comes in...hopefully formed from the same run of tube for both halves. Then you can go the CCR route and make something out of it. Its got to be some good tube. At least you will have a ROPs in between time.
 

motionclone

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Forming metal is more dark art than science. You can make that work by loose assembly and some persuasion with a long pry bar. Use it until the new one comes in...hopefully formed from the same run of tube for both halves. Then you can go the CCR route and make something out of it. Its got to be some good tube. At least you will have a ROPs in between time.
I think I could get the top to line up with lots of persuasion for sure but the mid center piece, which is part of the structure and system, would have to be welded in or new holes drilled then there would be extra holes that could make a weak spot. If I did that might as well cut an inch out and weld it back.

I dont have time really to take on another project like that anyway, I tossed the junk rops in the scrap pile for later use and Ill just have to wing it on my hilly mow coming up.
 

Yooper

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OK. Just thought I'd throw it out there anyway. Do be careful, we don't want to be reading about you in the papers!
 

mikester

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No gag buddy, you need to look closer;)

Sent the pics to my dealership and he forwarded them to Kubota. Kubota says its messed up and will send a new one
Every ROPS I've ever seen has been attached securely to the frame, usually around the axels using large U-Bolts. It's gotta support your machine in a roll over. Something looks wrong if you are bolting it into the rear diff case the way you are.

You look like you are missing a cross tube at the top and the ROPS should go around/over the rear fenders.

The way you have it shown in your photos its just going to fold up on top of you in a roll over. It looks more like an umbrella stand than ROPS.

Check out the ROPS on these guys machines to see what I'm talking about...
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6612&page=437

The ROPS are attached wide and around the axels, not narrow and bolted to your diff case.
 
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D2Cat

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Here's an example of how to use a ROPS for other purposes. Was on a Grasshopper zero turn. Made a rear bumper for Polaris Ranger. All I did was figure where I wanted to use the angles, how much material I would need past each curve, cut and weld.
 

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North Idaho Wolfman

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Every ROPS I've ever seen has been attached securely to the frame, usually around the axels using large U-Bolts. It's gotta support your machine in a roll over. Something looks wrong if you are bolting it into the rear diff case the way you are.
The ROPS are attached wide and around the axels, not narrow and bolted to your diff case.

That design of ROPS (were it bolts to the back of the diff case) is perfectly fine and will hold up in a heavy roll over situation.
It's not required to attach to the axles to make it work safely.
Considering this is from Kubota I'm 99.99% sure it's been tested! ;)
 

CaveCreekRay

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Awesome "recycling" work Len! That turned out really nice... I might have to make one of those for my Ranger.

Welding is a blast. I have been a woodworker for 45 years and always wanted to stick metal together. Man, it's so handy. I wish I had started sooner.
 

motionclone

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Every ROPS I've ever seen has been attached securely to the frame, usually around the axels using large U-Bolts. It's gotta support your machine in a roll over. Something looks wrong if you are bolting it into the rear diff case the way you are.

You look like you are missing a cross tube at the top and the ROPS should go around/over the rear fenders.

The way you have it shown in your photos its just going to fold up on top of you in a roll over. It looks more like an umbrella stand than ROPS.

Check out the ROPS on these guys machines to see what I'm talking about...
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6612&page=437

The ROPS are attached wide and around the axels, not narrow and bolted to your diff case.
It came from the Kubota dealership to fit on my machine. There is a riveted Tag on the Rops that has my machine model on it. Not sure how a Rops that fits my L345DT can get more legit than that.

And the issue here isnt if that Kubota Factory Rops kit is for my machine, I already know it is. The issue is that it was manufactured incorrectly.
 
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motionclone

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UPDATE on this .

The dealer finally got me a new rops kit in and I went to pick it up today. Before I loaded it I put the two halves on the ground to see if they lined up and THEY DIDNT!! Same exact issue as the kit I already had but reversed...and there where other issues with the new ones too. I brought back my defective kit with me as the salesman requested it back even though they said I could just keep the defective set in the beginning..

SO we swapped around the 4 halves and found that they worked pretty good when taking from the other set..lol must be some serious lack of quality control going on at the factory. Had two service guys there scratching their heads and one said they have had similar issues with other rops kits.
 

DocBrown

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I know this is an old post so please don't crucify me... but is there any chance of getting a ground to top of ROPS measurement? I just picked up an L345DT and about to order the ROPS but i'm concerned if it'll clear my garage door. Mines got a loader to the exhaust stack is similar to the OP's and my exhaust clears my door with about 2" to spare.

Thanks, and again sorry for drudging up an old post!