BX23S mini ROPS

[GreensvilleJay]

Finally got around to fabbing up a shorter ROPS so I can get into my garage without the pain of moving the ROPS. I wanted something 'fixed' so it's a compromise. Sorry for the pictures, rain here all day, will post better ones once Mr. Sun returns. It clears the door by 3/4". Neighbour donated the aluminum top, the steel is leftovers. Added the LED lights couple days ago and can FINALLY see and be SEEN. Used the power outlet for test purposes,so they're on when key in on. Will rewire them into a 4 chanl RF relay box. Like everything, it's a 'work in progress'. While it may not be 'pretty', it does keep the sun off while driving AND using the backhoe !!

 

[85Hokie]

Jay

looks good and effective.

The ROPS police will tell you that the engineers have designed the ROPS to be effective in rollovers with seat belts and whatnot, and ANY modification to the metal is a huge no-no.....
and listening to music with headphones is a horrible idea........
and not wearing your seatbelt.....
bypassing the safety switches........
and not covering the PTO shaft............
and the other 14 other things we should never do

I understand fully where you are coming from - to each his own! I get it !
I had to build a whole #$%@#$%#$@ shed with a 8' height header just to get my BX in and out of!

What I really do not get about THOSE @$%@#$%@ engineers ............. do you not understand that an average garage opening is approx 84" tall and you still make a ROPS about 2" taller? All the math forces that extra 2"???? Can't make it a smidge wider and do the same thing????? Anyway - I digress.

Keep on ............. keeping on!

 

[pjoh784350]

Jay

looks good and effective.

The ROPS police will tell you that the engineers have designed the ROPS to be effective in rollovers with seat belts and whatnot, and ANY modification to the metal is a huge no-no.....
and listening to music with headphones is a horrible idea........
and not wearing your seatbelt.....
bypassing the safety switches........
and not covering the PTO shaft............
and the other 14 other things we should never do

I understand fully where you are coming from - to each his own! I get it !
I had to build a whole #$%@#$%#$@ shed with a 8' height header just to get my BX in and out of!

What I really do not get about THOSE @$%@#$%@ engineers ............. do you not understand that an average garage opening is approx 84" tall and you still make a ROPS about 2" taller? All the math forces that extra 2"???? Can't make it a smidge wider and do the same thing????? Anyway - I digress.

Keep on ............. keeping on!

I understand the BX23S rops is higher than other BXs and even Bs. Messicks has a vid on it where it is described as wider and taller for operator when using the backhoe. I have to fold mine down when in the garage and then typically leave it down for doing quick things. I think your solution is likely far better than the safety of my ROPS in down position. Looks pretty good!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I'm not worried about the ROPScops...

ALL 'engineers' should be forced to actually use and work on what they 'design' ! For the most part they are 'book educated' with ZERO real world experience, There's an endless list of 'engineered' stuff that just isn't properly designed.

I'm 6'3" and don't have a problem with my miniROPS when using backhoe and I've got maybe 30-35 hrs since installed. I may install a BH worklight,though I've yet to need it. Come to think of it, I have the 3PT kit still in the 2 year old box I've never used..... Got an RF 4 relay box today so might install that ,each light gets its own button and one for the garagedoor opening....

 

[NHSleddog]

I'm not worried about the ROPScops...

You probably don't sweat the mattress police either - lol.

 

[Henro]

I'm not worried about the ROPScops...

ALL 'engineers' should be forced to actually use and work on what they 'design' ! For the most part they are 'book educated' with ZERO real world experience, There's an endless list of 'engineered' stuff that just isn't properly designed.

I'm 6'3" and don't have a problem with my miniROPS when using backhoe and I've got maybe 30-35 hrs since installed. I may install a BH worklight,though I've yet to need it. Come to think of it, I have the 3PT kit still in the 2 year old box I've never used..... Got an RF 4 relay box today so might install that ,each light gets its own button and one for the garagedoor opening....

I do not worry about safety police either, but...

However, I would not be comfortable with your modification without some kind of bracing at the top corners, at a 45 degree angle. It sure looks like it would fold if you ever had a serious need to use it. Hopefully you will never need to use the ROPS.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

it's as strong ,or better than the 'golfcart' or canvas toppers I've seen pictures of here. So far,after 5+decades of heavy equipment operations and real JEEPs ,I've yet to roll anything.

 

[Henro]

it's as strong ,or better than the 'golfcart' or canvas toppers I've seen pictures of here. So far,after 5+decades of heavy equipment operations and real JEEPs ,I've yet to roll anything.

Correct me if I am wrong.

It looks like you fabricated a replacement for the top half of the ROPS.

It also looks like the transition between the vertical sides and the top cross piece uses pieces of relatively thin wall square tubing.

Personally I would never consider such a design as equal to the factory ROPS.

The Golf cart or other sun shades people use are usually attached to the factory ROPS, not replacements for the ROPS.

No doubt the top you made is stronger than many other things people use. But that is not my point. I think you decreased the safety factor of the ROPS significantly.

Do I care? Not really. Just an observation.

As far as possibly rolling or tipping your tractor, hope it never happens. But I always keep in mind the disclaimer the financial people use: Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

I tipped my B2910 on its side once after over ten years using it. First and last time I hope. That tractor is now going on 19 years old...

 

[GreensvilleJay]

The vertical pieces are 1.5x3x 3/16 sections of steel tubing, same as the OEM. Fish plates (connectors to btm ROPS) are 2.5*x6x 3/16 plate steel. Horizontal cross member is a piece of 1.5 x 3 x 3/16. 'canopy ' supports are 1.25" x 1/8 steel tubing. The primary reason was to get a sunshade onto the tractor ,and get it into the garage. Having had heatstroke in 2014 , me and Mr. Sun don't like each other and no one up here is interested in building me a taller garage. Like life, the design is a compromise.
The whole idea of 'ROPS' is interesting,in that you can buy any ATV or 'quad' that doesn't legally require ROPS,yet a 24HP SCUT 'needs' it. Since 99.44% of my land is flat,the odds are pretty good I'll never roll my BX23s,and after 5 decades of experience, I've lerned a few things. Sadly I know of more who've died in ATV accidents than tractor accidents.
BTW, I'd like to know how you tipped your B2910 over. I'm sure other would too.