Welding up a ROPS

General help and support for your Lindeman through 2010 John Deere crawler
User avatar
notmeu
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 373
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:23 pm
Location: Western PA

Post by notmeu » Sat Jan 19, 2013 7:20 pm

captainjoe, it sounds like you definitely on the write path for the design! X bracing from corner to corner is the strongest. I went with smaller gussits because of limited visibility on the front of my crawler. On the rear I used a sheet of 1/4" plate 8" wide to tie the upright supports, and the top box together. Also there is 2 additional pieces going across each upright located behind the yellow screen. To properly made a cage or bird shot protector( that's what I call it now!) that would give you an armored tank kind of feeling, x bracing on each side welded with gussits also welded to the crawler would be the cats meow. Not very practical by any means.... Also there is so many welding techniques out there, v- grooving the metal where you weld two pieces together gives better penetration. It's something that takes years to perfect!

User avatar
Captainjoe
430 crawler
430 crawler
Posts: 66
Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:53 am
Location: Sandyville WV

Post by Captainjoe » Sat Jan 19, 2013 8:00 pm

I know you were trying to help.


In my prior job as a computer systems analyst you had to be precise in everything you said and did(programming wise).


So I, really don't, have a problem with calling things what they are... so Thanks !
It's better to seek forgivness than to ask for permission...

User avatar
notmeu
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 373
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:23 pm
Location: Western PA

Post by notmeu » Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:17 am

Make sure you post some pictures when you are done! I would sure like to see the finished product!
1956 JD420, gearmatic 8a winch, custom 6 way blade and FOPS.

User avatar
Captainjoe
430 crawler
430 crawler
Posts: 66
Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:53 am
Location: Sandyville WV

Post by Captainjoe » Mon Jan 28, 2013 4:52 pm

hey,
Sorry for not gettng back here but have been messing with the final drives to get them finnished.


Bought some steel today:
4 - 2"x 2"X 1/4" x 24' so 96 feet in all
6 - 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 1/4" x 1' so its easy to take apart.
1 - 6" x 3/8" x 10' steel plate(s) to weld on bottom of supports where they will be bolted.

If I can figure out how to post a pic i will send a pencil sketch of the frame complete with gussets , cross bracing. Will also have removable back, side supports, top and front bracing, when unbolted.

Going to be five pieces altogether.
BACK
Side supports(2)
TOP
Front Bracing - to protect muffler and deflect branches
It's better to seek forgivness than to ask for permission...

User avatar
notmeu
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 373
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:23 pm
Location: Western PA

Post by notmeu » Wed Feb 20, 2013 11:16 am

CaptainJoe, How's the cage project coming along? Any pictures yet?
1956 JD420, gearmatic 8a winch, custom 6 way blade and FOPS.

User avatar
Captainjoe
430 crawler
430 crawler
Posts: 66
Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:53 am
Location: Sandyville WV

Post by Captainjoe » Wed Feb 20, 2013 4:26 pm

no unfortunately not.

got the finals together but still sitting on my bench in garage.

every time i think i have some time something else pops up!

hopefully next week will get dozer blade and finals bolted on.

then i can finalize the drawings I have....

I think i had more time on my hands when i wasn't retired....LOL
It's better to seek forgivness than to ask for permission...

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 57 guests