My project rebuilding a 56' 420 w/6 way blade and ROPS

notmeu · Post by **notmeu** » Mon Jan 07, 2013 7:09 am

It's never too late to start a winter project! I just finished my roll cage this past weekend, I'll post some photos later this week after it's all painted. Thanks again to all that posted photos of theirs!

Paul Buhler · Post by **Paul Buhler** » Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:18 am

Tom: I look forward to seeing it and your comments. Paul

notmeu · Post by **notmeu** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 2:56 pm

Where Paul here you go. I started out with the uprights, using a bunch of 2" x 1/4"wall angle iron welded together to make a square tube. I had this laying around for a while so I figured that it would be a perfect fit, minus the extra welding of the 2 angle iron pieces together. That got old real fast! I wanted the cab to extend into the center of the tractor to help protect from the rain, and the only place it seemed reasonable to mount the front uprights was to the frame of the up/down cylinder mount. I made everything so it could be unbolted and removed if need be. I used 2"x2"x1/4" square tubing for the limb rakes on the front, and for the extra piece on the side to protect the valve. The roof was made out of a piece of 12 gauge plate. I also added a set of flood lights up high on both side since the spot lights on the front worked, but the more light the better! Finally, maybe now I won't get hit by those stray tree branches anymore! Here's some pics!

Paul Buhler · Post by **Paul Buhler** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:14 pm

Very nice; all you need now is a cup holder. I really like the neat work and clean lines. Looks good and rugged too. Good luck with it. Now that you have a prototype, when are you going into production?

I've been thinking to add lights up high on my 6 volt machine like you did. How do yours work? Is your machine 6 or 12 volts? If 6 volts, are you satisfied with the light ? Thanks.

edit: Guess I should have looked closer or gone back in the post, I now see the alternator, and that you converted to 12 v. Paul

Paul

notmeu · Post by **notmeu** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:43 pm

I only had the crawler out so far when it was starting to get dark out, but it was fantastic to be able to see the outside edge of the blade, so you know what angle your at! We have been just getting rid of our snow so it's been pretty muddy! I put the flood lights on its own switch since they are 100 watts a piece, I didn't want to have any troubles with the factory ignition/light switch. I used the hole that's below the choke cable on the dash. never thought of making ROPS, I'm sure that there is others that don't like getting smacked by those pesky tree branches!

Paul Buhler · Post by **Paul Buhler** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:26 pm

Tom: It looks like you've also improved the crawler's balance by adding the cage; you have a hefty blade up front, and now you have some more weight aft. You might find that the machine backs up steeper inclines a bit better now. Paul

notmeu · Post by **notmeu** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:29 pm

I would think I added a good 300 to 400 pounds to the crawler. Hopefully it makes a difference. I do have a seat belt coming, so I'll have to put it to the test! Hopefully not testing the ROPS!

jtrichard · Post by **jtrichard** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 1:18 am

that has to be the best looking/fitting structure i have ever seen looks like it was OEM

notmeu · Post by **notmeu** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:50 am

Thanks Paul and jtrichard for all of the compliments on the recent addition.

gus · Post by **gus** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 2:26 pm

Excellent job!! Very nice looking machine.

I would have one suggestion. Route the hyd hoses between the gas tank and engine. Then your paint will stay nice and the hood will come off easier if you need to. I did this when I rebuilt mine and it works fine, plenty of room.

notmeu · Post by **notmeu** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 8:44 pm

thanks Gus! I had thought about running the hoses under the hood years ago when I thought about keeping the factory fresh look. Needless to say that did not last long!

Post by **Lavoy** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:48 pm

What you have built is very similar to an aftermarket canopy I had once on a 420. Whoever made them had the capability to roll 2 X 2 box tubing, so really did a nice job.
Lavoy

mapaduke@yahoo.com · Post by **mapaduke@yahoo.com** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 8:31 am

I half to say I'm not a big fan of the look of ROPS on this crawlers but yours looks good, nice job.

notmeu · Post by **notmeu** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:39 am

mapaduke@yahoo.com wrote:I half to say I'm not a big fan of the look of ROPS on this crawlers but yours looks good, nice job.

I kind of have to agree with you on that one, but the limb rakes gives any crawler a mean look to it! It would be nice to see one that has a more modern cab with the glass, radio, air conditioning!

Post by **Lavoy** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 1:29 pm

I have a cab for a 350, but no air or CD!

Lavoy

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My project rebuilding a 56' 420 w/6 way blade and ROPS

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