B50 series w/ROPS owners, watch out for this...

[nbryan]

I operated my box blade with the ROPS folded fully down for the first time this spring.

Then I was wondering what the f*** bent my top link, and also the inner bar of the adjustable right side anti-sway linkage, when I went to change the 3-point over from the BB to the trailer hitch receiver.

Here's the answer:


I could bend the sway locking-bar straight. The top link is pretty much toast. $100+ for an aftermarket replacement. $250 for the oem link ffs.

I scoured my operator's manual for the warning that should be there and I obviously ignored, and sure enough, p. 27, in part -

"Before proceeding to fold ROPS, check for any
possible interference with installed
implements and attachments."

 

[Freeheeler]

Dooh, I hate that for you. Luckily I have no need to fold down the rops, and I'm way too lazy to do it for no reason, so I haven't run into that problem. Thanks for posting, may help someone else down the road, good karma.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

May we all learn from the misfortune of others, others being you in this case!

 

[Henro]

May we all learn from the misfortune of others, others being you in this case!

AND...if this is the worst misfortune you experience when using the tractor with the ROPS down, even better.

The ROPS and seat belt are there for a reason. Hope you use them when you really need to.

 

[radas]

I operated my box blade with the ROPS folded fully down for the first time this spring.

Then I was wondering what the f*** bent my top link, and also the inner bar of the adjustable right side anti-sway linkage, when I went to change the 3-point over from the BB to the trailer hitch receiver.

Here's the answer:
View attachment 78996

I could bend the sway locking-bar straight. The top link is pretty much toast. $100+ for an aftermarket replacement. $250 for the oem link ffs.

I scoured my operator's manual for the warning that should be there and I obviously ignored, and sure enough, p. 27, in part -

"Before proceeding to fold ROPS, check for any
possible interference with installed
implements and attachments."

Now's a good time to upgrade to a hydraulic top link if you get the chance. @Daferris Holland top link recommendation for the B2650/LX2610 was around $259 IIRC. I saw this on a YouTube video a while ago, sorry to see it happen to you, but thank you for the reminder!

 

[RalphVa]

Same is true for the B01s. I put my RB on it and fortunately had the top link all the way in. The QH was bumping the folded down ROPS. If the top link had not be in all the way, I would have bent it.

 

[dirtydeed]

I warned someone of this happening not long ago. Hope it wasn't you nbran.