Homemade OROPS

[Jeff D.]

I'm building a ROPS for my dozer. I'm about 3/4ths done. I figured I'd post my progress so far.

Pic 1: picked up the ROPS from the steel dealer*
*(some assembly required)
Pic 2: Lot's-o-gussets
Pics 3 & 4: as far as I've gotton so far.

I've to weld the plate to the roof, weld some grab handles in various locations, and add a guard for the stack(so it doesn't get knocked off), add some mounts/guards for forward/back lights, weld a piece of expanded metal in the open area behind my head, and paint er' up nice and shiny JD yellow.

How does it look too you guys?

 

[digger242j]

How does it look too you guys?

Won't be able to say until you roll er over...




(Actually, why paint it yellow? There's something appealing about Black and Gold.)

 

[Jeff D.]

Won't be able to say until you roll er over...

Let's hope that doesn't happen. I'm thinking about trees/branches more than actually getting it upside down. The uprights are 3" (1/4" thick), so I hope they'll hold?!:beatsme

It's built much heavier built than the factory cab on my Ford backhoe is.:yup

(Actually, why paint it yellow? There's something appealing about Black and Gold.)

Hmmm, I could do that. I didn't even think of it.

 

[JBL]

Very nice job Jeff. I think if you would have attached the sweeps to the hood it would have given the exhaust some protection. Be sure and take pictures if you do test it out.

 

[tylermckee]

So thats why you havent been on here wasting as much bandwith as usual.

 

[digger242j]

So thats why you havent been on here wasting as much bandwith as usual.

It wastes much more bandwidth for everyone to view Jeff's posts than it does for him to actually post them. :yup

 

[Jeff D.]

I think if you would have attached the sweeps to the hood it would have given the exhaust some protection.

To the top? Yup, it would've completely covered it then.:thumbsup I should've done it that way. I'll weld a guard on the left sweep that'll deflect branches though.

So thats why you havent been on here wasting as much bandwith as usual.

:bouncegri There's only so many hours in a day. I gotta get something done once in awhile.

 

[digger242j]

Actually, reference bandwidth, Jeff's "Small used dozers" thread has the second most views (2781) on the whole forum. "Work Pics" is the leader by far,(14,000 and some) and "Lonely Friday" is third (2000 and something). So, actually, Jeff is probably using the most bandwidth, but he's inspired the largest discussion too. Another feather in his cap. :notworthy

Back to ROPS discussion--no thread hijacking tonight... :thumbsup

 

[Jeff D.]

Back to ROPS discussion--no thread hijacking tonight...

FWIW Don't ever worry about that in a thread of mine. I don't care what anyone post in my threads. That's just me personally though, it's probobly not a good habit in general.



I usually weld with 6011, but I was recommended to use 7018. It may be a stonger weld, but I really have too turn the heat up to get it to flow right, and it takes a jackhammer to get the slag off.

With a 5/32 rod, reverse DC, I'm running it at 185 amps, and 6011 I can run about 125 amps. I know the rods dry, I just bought it, and it was vacuum sealed, so it's not a moisture problem.

Anyone else had that experience with it(7018)? Maybe a bad batch? It's Lincoln rod, so I'd think it'd be quality?

I was thinking about switching to 7024, but they only had it in 50lbs tins. It would be shot long before I used that much.

 

[digger242j]

FWIW Don't ever worry about that in a thread of mine. I don't care what anyone post in my threads. That's just me personally though, it's probobly not a good habit in general.

It's not that, it's just that it's Squizzy's job, and if he feels like abandoning us for a week and a half, I'm sure not gonna cover for him!



:wink2

 

[Jeff D.]

He did say that on his vacation he'd be going in search of "Hart-Parr" like pics to take, so it is (eventually) going to further the forum.

That's if the Black Snakes don't get him while he's gone.:bouncegri

 

[tylermckee]

I bought myself some new work boots today, and a new pair of jeans, boy do i look snazzy, about as snazzy as that ol dozer

 

[Orchard Ex]

Anyone else had that experience with it(7018)? Maybe a bad batch? It's Lincoln rod, so I'd think it'd be quality?

In my very limited experience I had to turn up the heat a little on 7018 also. It was harder to get the arc to start, but it was pretty when it was done. The 6011 was easier to start and didn't drip as bad when doing vertical beads, but didn't look as nice. But I'm also a very novice welder so...

It looks good. :notworthy How much weight will it add to the dozer?
Now just run down to the glass shop and close it in for the winter - along with HVAC too of course...:thumbsup

And I think digger's right (damn, did I say that out loud?) I remember seeing the ROPS on most of the small JD's painted black.

 

[digger242j]

And I think digger's right (damn, did I say that out loud?)

It doesn't matter whether you said it out loud--you were thinking it. :bouncegri

 

[atgreene]

Looks good. It definately will save the noggin in the event of a close encounter with a tree branch. :thumbsup

 

[Jeff D.]

How much weight will it add to the dozer?

I could only guess at the weight, but 700-1000lbs maybe??????:beatsme

Now just run down to the glass shop and close it in for the winter - along with HVAC too of course...:thumbsup

I'm going to get a house window air conditioner and a really long extension cord.:bouncegri

And I think digger's right (damn, did I say that out loud?) I remember seeing the ROPS on most of the small JD's painted black.

Yup, I believe I'll be painting it black now. I think it would look better too...........but gloss or satin, that's the next question???

It doesn't matter whether you said it out loud--you were thinking it.

It does matter to some women, trust me..................especially the foxy one with the really tight sweater at the mall.:yup

 

[20dub]

:thumbsup looks good...

 

[Dozerboy]

gloss IMO

 

[Jeff D.]

Getting alittle closer too done. I've added the roof, expanded metal screen front/back, lights w/guard, grab handles, and D-rings for anchor points.

It just needs to be painted now. I ixnay'd the exhaust guard. I'd put one on but ended up cutting it back off. I didn't care for the way it turned out.

I'll just have to watch the stack closer while in the brush.

 

[dayexco]

very nice work, want to build me a lift for my new pontoon boat?