ROPS too tall

[robert2601]

The ROPS on my new B2601 are about an inch or two too tall to fit in the garage without folding them down. It is just a matter of time before they smash the header above my garage door. It doesnt look like a major welding problem to lower them and permanately weld them so they will fit through the door. The warning sticker on the ROPS says do not weld or drill. Is this a safety issue or more of a warranty issue?

 

[nbryan]

The ROPS on my new B2601 are about an inch or two too tall to fit in the garage without folding them down. It is just a matter of time before they smash the header above my garage door. It doesnt look like a major welding problem to lower them and permanately weld them so they will fit through the door. The warning sticker on the ROPS says do not weld or drill. Is this a safety issue or more of a warranty issue?

Both.

 

[Ping]

Both.

Don't forget liability! If something were to happen, god forbid, Kubota and their lawyers will wash their hands of any claim because of modifications to the safety device (ROPS).
Regards

 

[NCL4701]

Might also consider ability to sell/trade if you might not keep it forever. If you’ve modified the ROPS you’ll either have to replace them before selling or plan on taking a hit on sale price at least equal to the cost of replacing them.

Your machine, so do what you want. Just be aware there are liability, resale, and potential safety downsides to modification.

 

[Dcguinn]

Same problem here. I labeled a box ‘ROPS’ and set it on the garage floor when I put them up. Seems like a good reminder.

 

[RalphVa]

I did $3,000 worth of damage to my garage door opening with ROPS left up. First time was when I did it myself. 2nd time was when JD raised the ROPS while it was being repaired and I did not notice. Combo of the 2 did the damage. It's fixed now.

My 1st tractor, a JD 4010, had non folding ROPS that just fit underneath. The ROPS on the B2301 is 5 1/2 inches higher and is probably the height of ROPS on the B2601.

I think they should be allowed to make the front grill guard higher such that the combo of it and the ROPS would protect the driver in a rollover.

 

[Jchonline]

The ROPS on my new B2601 are about an inch or two too tall to fit in the garage without folding them down. It is just a matter of time before they smash the header above my garage door. It doesnt look like a major welding problem to lower them and permanately weld them so they will fit through the door. The warning sticker on the ROPS says do not weld or drill. Is this a safety issue or more of a warranty issue?

The height is designed to save the operator in a roll. If you lower it, you are changing the protected area in case of a roll. You will void warranties and if insurance finds out they will probably try to fight you on medical bills…

My advice is to not alter it. If you must assume you will be on the hook for all financial related issues that arise if you roll the tractor.

You may be able to lower the tire pressure and get it to fit.

 

[Jchonline]

Same problem here. I labeled a box ‘ROPS’ and set it on the garage floor when I put them up. Seems like a good reminder.

Good idea. When you pull the machine out of the garage, put the box in the middle of the floor that way when you pull back in you are forced to move the box (and thus reminding you to lower ROPS). Easy, effective.

 

[jyoutz]

Time for an appropriately sized tractor shed or carport.

 

[johnjk]

My B3200 doesn’t clear and I’ve got the marks to prove it. I’ll repair the trim above the door after the barn is built. For now the ROPS is up in the garage so I can walk around the B. I’ve gotten pretty good over the last couple years remembering to lower it when entering or exiting. That being said, I’m due for a screwup

 

[PaulR]

Tough call OP. I was feeling bad welding a hook onto my bucket. I'd feel real bad cutting and welding my new ROPS.

That said, I probably would go for it. Warranty be damned. I mean, what are the chances right?

 

[GeoHorn]

Ever notice a heavy pipe hanging from chains inside a parking garage…? (Designed to “bang” against your roofline if your vehicle can’t clear the ceiling.) You might hang some streamers or such from the garage-door or transom to remind you as you pull in/out of the garage.

I would NOT recommend welding, cutting, etc on your ROPs.

 

[ctfjr]

Everyone has an opinion, here's mine.

I hit the garage with the rops with my old tractor. With this one after hitting it again I had it cut down and rewelded by a certified welder. I assume responsibility if it doesn't protect me in a rollover. When I sell it the buyer will have the choice to do the same or they can buy a new one.

 

[Henro]

Everyone has an opinion, here's mine.

I hit the garage with the rops with my old tractor. With this one after hitting it again I had it cut down and rewelded by a certified welder. I assume responsibility if it doesn't protect me in a rollover. When I sell it the buyer will have the choice to do the same or they can buy a new one.

I wonder if ROPS are designed to protect the tallest people that might buy the tractor, or to maximize the protection that a higher ROPS gives to minimize a tip over from turning into a roll over.

If it is the former, and you are not perhaps six feet six inches tall, then you could shorten the rops a few inches and still have the same protection.

Since the ROPS is fold able, sure seems like a ROPS that is shortened a couple inches would provide more protection than one that is folded down.

Myself, I would shorten it in an instant if I had the same situation. But that is just me.

We all make our own decisions and live with the results.

 

[BigG]

You could just make a piece to replace the top part of the ROPS. Set the original aside and reattach it when you sell the tractor.

 

[ctfjr]

I wonder if ROPS are designed to protect the tallest people that might buy the tractor, or to maximize the protection that a higher ROPS gives to minimize a tip over from turning into a roll over.

If it is the former, and you are not perhaps six feet six inches tall, then you could shorten the rops a few inches and still have the same protection. . . .

lol, I started out at 5'11" but now am under 5'10". At the rate I'm going I'll be able to cut it down more in a year or so!

 

[GSD-Keegan]

I hung a bright orange hockey ball from the bottom of my garage door. Hangs down a bit when door is open. Rests on floor when door is closed.

 

[nbryan]

It'll be after you've been using the tractor outside with the rops full up and coming to park back inside that you'll forget, and hit above the door with the top of the rops.
So the first thought was if that became an issue for me, I would go to a boating leisure center and buy a strip of dock edge boat bumper and at least temporarily hang it at the possible contact points across the top of the door trim.
At least until something better happens, like after thumping the boat bumper a few times you'll actually start to remember to fold it first.
All really depends on your tolerance for looking at such a door top trim "diaper", likely be ugly to many.
Or hang pieces of dock bumper on the top of the rops where it would collide.

 

[DaveFromMi]

Built a pole barn on our place before I got the tractor. If I had to do it again, it would be a 10' garage door. I can back out through the rear sliding door with ROPS up.
We had an old rickety corn shed growing up. It had a section where we parked an old Model B John Deere in. The exhaust would not clear the opening, so Dad dug a hole for the tricycle front end to dip into allowing the exhaust to clear.

 

[skeets]

Nope I aint gona say a word, I am tired of trying to preach to know it all's