Can I put a cage on a 600?

[bob600]

Hey guys, I just bought a bocat 600. I have only ever used skid steers that have a roll cage on them, and this machine does not and I feel weird driving it without one. Is there a way to put one on, and if so where can I find it? I have a freind who is a good welder, anyone have an illustration on how to make one? Thanks

 

[Tazza]

You should be able to get your mate to build one out of say 1 1/2” box section, i'd ensure its 2mm wall or larger. If you have a look at a standard ROPS on other machines, it should give you a guide. Hopefully you may even have mounting points where the one that hopefully it did have at one point was mounted. They aren't too complicated, i would just ensure all the corners had gussets just in case it did roll, you don't want it to simply bend at the joins and fold out offering you little to no protection... You can use punched mesh on the top and sides, but i assume its mainly just incase you roll over? if its just for roll over, you technically don't need mesh on the sides. On the roof, i honestly would, you don't want a rock or clump of dirt hitting you on the nogg'in....
Hopefully another member in here has one with a cage that can take a picture so you can get a better idea of how they are fitted.

 

[OldMachinist]

You should be able to get your mate to build one out of say 1 1/2” box section, i'd ensure its 2mm wall or larger. If you have a look at a standard ROPS on other machines, it should give you a guide. Hopefully you may even have mounting points where the one that hopefully it did have at one point was mounted. They aren't too complicated, i would just ensure all the corners had gussets just in case it did roll, you don't want it to simply bend at the joins and fold out offering you little to no protection... You can use punched mesh on the top and sides, but i assume its mainly just incase you roll over? if its just for roll over, you technically don't need mesh on the sides. On the roof, i honestly would, you don't want a rock or clump of dirt hitting you on the nogg'in....
Hopefully another member in here has one with a cage that can take a picture so you can get a better idea of how they are fitted.

Here's a picture of a M610 with a cage.

 

[BobMelroe]

Here's a picture of a M610 with a cage.

Where are you located? I have a cage I'll give you if you are close enough to come pick it up. It was made by the p/o and seems solid enough, I just plan on doing mine a little different.

 

[bob600]

Where are you located? I have a cage I'll give you if you are close enough to come pick it up. It was made by the p/o and seems solid enough, I just plan on doing mine a little different.

Dang, I am out in NY. Relatives out in Mich though. Yes I want it mainly for roll over protection, but also would want something to protect me from getting wacked in the head with branches etc.

 

[bob600]

Dang, I am out in NY. Relatives out in Mich though. Yes I want it mainly for roll over protection, but also would want something to protect me from getting wacked in the head with branches etc.

I don't know what to look for as for the point to connect the cage to. The guy I bought it from made it sound like the people he bought it from said that it had a cage on it at one time.

 

[BobMelroe]

I don't know what to look for as for the point to connect the cage to. The guy I bought it from made it sound like the people he bought it from said that it had a cage on it at one time.

Whoever put the cage on mine welded a flat plate (4x6x3/8" thick) on each side to the main frame just ahead of the gauge pods. Welded onto these is a 1"? steel bushing with a 5/8" hole. This is the pivot point for the cage so you can tip it forward. It's pretty fugly, but it worked for them. I'll probably redo it. The sides of the cage rest on the two angled braces for the lift arms, then has a single 9/16" bolt on each side through the cage frame and the braces. Hard to explain. I'll either take pictures of mine or scribble something on paper and post it later this evening.

 

[BobMelroe]

Whoever put the cage on mine welded a flat plate (4x6x3/8" thick) on each side to the main frame just ahead of the gauge pods. Welded onto these is a 1"? steel bushing with a 5/8" hole. This is the pivot point for the cage so you can tip it forward. It's pretty fugly, but it worked for them. I'll probably redo it. The sides of the cage rest on the two angled braces for the lift arms, then has a single 9/16" bolt on each side through the cage frame and the braces. Hard to explain. I'll either take pictures of mine or scribble something on paper and post it later this evening.

I put some pictures of the cage and mount in "My Junk" folder. Here's a link if it works: http://www.skidsteerforum.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=52&gallerypage=0&path=My%20Junk I put a brief description of the pics as well. If you have any other question, feel free to ask. It's a pretty straight forward design and should be easy to build.