Drilling and Tapping my ROPS for LED Lights.."OH The Madness"

[savageman]

Owned a 2001 BX2200 for the last 23 years and upgraded to a BX2680. Needed some better lighting and watched most of the youtubes and couldn't decide if I wanted to use Giant U bolts, Tie wraps, Industrial Magnets or even Double Sided Tape or Glue to mount them to the ROPS.
So... I went with None of the above.
I counted at least 22 10mm sized holes already in the ROP, so I figured a few properly placed 6mm threaded holes couldn't hurt.
The LED kit cost $49 and took 6 hours to install, The Right Way.
I could do it again in less than 3 hours after this install.

 

[savageman]

If you mount lights that can be moved, they will be moved, by something other than you.

 

[savageman]

Ran the circuit all the way to the under dash for access to the battery and dash panel for switch and relay install.

 

[GeoHorn]

I’m sure you know that there are those who will tell you the sky will soon be falling because you drilled your ROPS and that you’ve driven your tractor value on a trade-in into the ground and various body parts will now start falling off you…but…. I say… It’s YOUR TRACTOR and YOU get to decide how you want it.

Nice work.

(I used large square U-bolts… but I never intend to trade it in to a tractor dealer anyway.) LOLOL

 

[Fordtech86]

I’ve drilled my rops too don’t care , unless the backhoe is on it’s usually folded anyways because of the trees

 

[GreensvilleJay]

You can (probably) drill a lot of holes dead center of the +-3" width of the tubing with zero problems.
Have a look at what they allow for holes in TJI joists in the official instruction documentation !!

 

[KKBL]

Nice installation. Drilling the small holes will not weaken the tube. Now, if you put 2 or 3 inch diameter holes all the way thru both sides of the tube, it could definitely compromise the strength of the structure.

 

[85Hokie]

I'm temped like hell to drill a few in mine - and shoot a couple of cans of great stuff in it!!!!
Knock out that hst whine - or I'm hoping????

 

[Steamer Pete]

What you have done has not necessarily affected it's ability to do it's job. It's just that the ROPS is a safety item who's strength was designed and tested as it was supplied. As a dealer, that safety item has been potentially compromised, thus, for liability's sake, they are required to replace the ROPS, and thus take that cost off your trade-in. The solution? Don't trade it in, but sell it outright when you decide to upgrade tractors.

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

I'm temped like hell to drill a few in mine - and shoot a couple of cans of great stuff in it!!!!
Knock out that hst whine - or I'm hoping????

Now that, is hilarious. I'm right there with you!

But Great Stuff expands to insane levels, might even bend steel. Make your square ROPS round! LOL

 

[GrizBota]

Nice looking install. Somehow I think the world will keep tuning despite a couple of extra 6 mm holes in the ROPS. There must not be a pre-wired work light circuit on the BXs’, did not know that.

22 existing 10 mm holes, wow. I’ll have to check on the two ROPS I have, I don’t think they look like a colander.

 

[jimh406]

It's yours. Drill it if you want. Personally, I won't drill mine. I'd prefer using bolts to clamp to it. For me, I think it might be easier to clamp, but it might not look as good. I've done neither, so far. I haven't used my tractor in the dark.

 

[acruxksa]

1/4-20 rivnuts ftw!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

You'd have thought a couple of the 22 10mm holes WOULD have been in perfect LED mounting spots...

 

[GeoHorn]

I hate “Great Stuff”. It doesn’t last and deteriorates, and especailly vulnerable to sunlight. It also loses it’s “closed cell” capability and eventually absorbs moisture….and crumbles.

I found SoudaFoam at a small hardware store and LOVE IT.

It solidifies into a smooth finish….(can actually be shaped with water applied before it cures)….. and hardens and is sunlight/outdoor durable and paintable.

 

[85Hokie]

I hate “Great Stuff”. It doesn’t last and deteriorates, and especailly vulnerable to sunlight. It also loses it’s “closed cell” capability and eventually absorbs moisture….and crumbles.

I found SoudaFoam at a small hardware store and LOVE IT.

It solidifies into a smooth finish….(can actually be shaped with water applied before it cures)….. and hardens and is sunlight/outdoor durable and paintable.

I agree with the other stuff - I may look into this !

I wonder if it would deaden sound being that it is a bit more dense?

Found it - about 14 bucks a can.

 

[GeoHorn]

I agree with the other stuff - I may look into this !

I wonder if it would deaden sound being that it is a bit more dense?

Found it - about 14 bucks a can.

I don’t know about sound-absorption…. since it does not remain soft/flexible. It eventually becomes quite hard. (although it can be cut with a sharp knife after curing)

To be sound absorbent I believe a soft material is required.

One more thing…. It grows. It comes out of the can in a very sticky “wet” foam….then doubles it’s size in 3 or 4 mins…. and doubles Again before it hardens into a durable filler/cover or whatever shape you’ve created with it.

At my shopping places it’s the same price as the not-so- Great Stuff. (around $9)

 

[Kennyd4110]

Just note that some dealers will deduct the price of a new ROPS on trade in if it's been modified in anyway.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

1/4-20 rivnuts ftw!

I haven't heard the term "Riv-nuts" since I was an A&P many moons ago.

I solved my "I need lights problem" by carefully installing one of these in my hand, and the other in my mouth when it starts to get dark.

No drilling of the ROPS involved.

But yours works too I guess......


Nice clean install!

 

[SDT]

Owned a 2001 BX2200 for the last 23 years and upgraded to a BX2680. Needed some better lighting and watched most of the youtubes and couldn't decide if I wanted to use Giant U bolts, Tie wraps, Industrial Magnets or even Double Sided Tape or Glue to mount them to the ROPS.
So... I went with None of the above.
I counted at least 22 10mm sized holes already in the ROP, so I figured a few properly placed 6mm threaded holes couldn't hurt.
The LED kit cost $49 and took 6 hours to install, The Right Way.
I could do it again in less than 3 hours after this install.

View attachment 123641 View attachment 123642

Installation of light bar is very similar to how I installed a 22" light inside the ROPS on my B3350.

Again, installation was time consuming but could do it again in less than one half of the time.