420C - Anyone have pictures of a simple FOPS?

CCWKen · Post by **CCWKen** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 6:09 pm

The ole' pipe layer is down with a blown head gasket but I'm thinking of adding some simple caging or a FOPS. Lots of Mesquite trees around and I need something to protect my back and be able to have a little shade. And still be able to climb into it at my age.

I use my 420 to maintain a dirt driveway (about 1/4 mile of it) after heavy rains and for clearing cactus, lifting jobs around the property and an occasional small tree clearing--Mostly blood weed.

I'd like to see how/where I could mount brackets and get some ideas of the construction. I don't have the means to bend square tubing or pipe so it's going to be just cut and weld. I just need some expanded metal in the back and some shade cover.

JWB Contracting · Post by **JWB Contracting** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 10:05 pm

I have recently seen a 440 deere skidder canopy with limb risers adapted to a green crawler. Looked real professional.

If I was doing one that is the route I would go. But I already have a few in the scrap pile as well.

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 5:54 am

Hi,

Just in case someone does not know this:

A 440 skidder is in no way related to a 440 crawler. Just another confusing Deere reuse of a machine number. Like 420 for a lawn mower....

That said, I have also seen where 440 skidder cages were adapted to crawlers.

Stan

pop pop · Post by **pop pop** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 8:21 am

PaulBuhler has some real nice pix on his photobucket site that i think will be helpfull to you.

notmeu · Post by **notmeu** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 10:28 am

CCWKen, here is some photos of my cage. I added to the cage recently to protect the winch controller.

You should be able to click on the photo to take you to my Photobucket account, there is a place to click to see my other photos of the cage. I did the same thing you are talking about doing, just cut, bend and re-weld. I have some photos of the building process, ill try to upload them to Photobucket soon. Everything is bolted, the limb risers are also removable from the box around where the operator seat is. I hope this helps you come up with some ideas, tom

Paul Buhler · Post by **Paul Buhler** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 3:18 pm

Here's a picture to link to my Photobucket site too. Click on it to see other pictures as well.
I like my FOPS for its simplicity, and light weight, but Tom and others have made nice ones as well. Thanks pop pop for the compliment.

I recently replaced the 2x2x3/8" angle iron over my winch with 3x3x3/8 and turned it around so that my choker hooks won't catch when they reel in close to the drum. I also replaced the mounting bolts on the winch with grade 2 bolts so that they act as shear pins if I back into anything - I don't want to chance damage to the winch housing when that happens. This setup also allowed me to make some pressure treated platforms/boxes that tuck in behind the seat for my chainsaw bar oil and gas mix jugs to be carried conveniently out of harms way.

pictures of this new set up.

CCWKen · Post by **CCWKen** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 8:54 am

Thanks for the pictures guys. I like the branch riser idea. I really need that but I have a boom and cables to contend with. When I'm working around the trees, I usually remove the boom. When it's in place and raised, the cables would interfere with that. Unless, perhaps, I make it "dog-bone" shape.

By the way, you guys have some nice looking crawlers. Makes mine look like it's ready for the scrap yard.

Paul Buhler · Post by **Paul Buhler** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 9:35 am

Ken: We used to use a 350 with a similar pipe boom. It had a small FOPS that bolted to the side arm structure. The limb risers only went from the boom structure to the fops roof. There were no other front posts so that the seat was easy to get in and out of. The cables were all in front of and/or above the cage. It was made out of 1-1/2" water pipe cut and welded with a 3/16" roof. It was designed to slow things down if they tried to enter the cab area. We all knew it was a cobbled affair, but the bent rear uprights and dented roof showed that it worked. Good luck with your fabrication. BTW, your machine looks just fine and I bet it serves you well. Paul

notmeu · Post by **notmeu** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 10:16 am

Ken, that's a nice looking "slow" ride that you have there. I never seen a side boom on a 420. What is its rated capacity? It looks like you have options for bolting or welding the uprights of the FOPS to. There is a lot of angle iron there to support the side boom structure in the front, and the rear uprights can tie into the drawbar that goes between the final drives. Good luck with your project!

Post by **Lavoy** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 11:33 am

Man, I'm disappointed, you guys all missed the boat. This is just a wonderful opportunity for Ken to buy another crawler!

Then he would have one to skid the logs, and one to load. Maybe if we all right him a note to his wife, she will let him.
Lavoy

CCWKen · Post by **CCWKen** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 1:20 pm

notmeu wrote: I never seen a side boom on a 420. What is its rated capacity?

I don't have any documentation on the boom and there's nothing on the tag. I maxed out the load cable hydraulic wench with about 3500 pounds. I unloaded an old Toledo OBI punch-press with it and that's what it weighs. That was with the boom just off vertical enough to clear a trailer. It was all it could do to get the punch-press lifted up off the trailer floor so I could drive the trailer out from under it. After that, I boomed the punch-press up next to the crawler and moved it about 20 feet to a concrete base. The weights were all the way out but It still felt a little light on that side. The weights are about 150+ pounds a piece. I sure wouldn't do that on a regular basis though.

It has no problem lifting 400-500 pound equipment with the boom extended out at about 45 degrees. I always boom the load in close to the crawler if I need to move it--Keeps it from swinging around.

@Lavoy - No wife here but I have enough projects right now.

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420C - Anyone have pictures of a simple FOPS?

420C - Anyone have pictures of a simple FOPS?

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