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Hello

How much additional support do the screens behind the front seats add to the roll bar?

Eric P

I read on another thread that the cage is an integral part to the strength of the front roll bar. It makes sense that it makes it less likely to collapse in a rollover. i have mine fully removed at the moment and I'm undecided on if I will put it back in. The rear bar is built the same way, and it has no cage. Tis a good topic for discussion.

They will offer very little extra support because the geometry is based on right angles and the materials that make up the cage is not that substantial. The strength comes from the triangulation at the upper corners of the roll bar. Still even a little extra strenth is good. If you do remove it you may want to beef up the roll bar a bit. Welding a brace to the roll bar at the base, that bolts into the back wall of the cab would help.

Miles

As Mike said, "A good topic for discussion"
I understand how that the screens would add to the overall strength/integrity of the roll bar (especially if the optional middle unit was installed) and for that reason I'm glad mine are still in place.... but I also like the screens for another reason.
They are great for storage.....Clipping camera bags, torches, hand held CB/UHF radios, First Aid Kits etc too ..... "stuff" you can quickly get access too.

I like the openess of it being gone, though the Prof is correct in it being very handy as an attaching point for gear. I think in the end I will do as Miles suggests and put a couple diagonal braces from the lower corners to the uppers.

As one who can speak from "experience", the cage is very integral in structural strength
I would say 50%, and it is an S.O.B. to straighten back to square once it is bent

The cage does add support. On a rollover the bar will collapse into the screens ( the tube frame and welded mesh are more structural than they look, as long as they are properly installed) and keep the bars from folding flat. The TDs have braces on the rear rollbars to keep them from just folding on a rollover.

I liked the openness too, but I added the cage onto The Pick Cow.

I think Jim has some pics of the rollbar assembly after a rollover. Damaged, but not completely flat.... Any protection is better than none.

Dave Dunn

Yes, but the most important thing is how cool it looks!

i'm surprised that i've never seen any sheathing bolted onto the screen or a cross brace there. stick the assy in cosmos. the affect would be drastic. might even be FUN to roll it. could even put casters on the the top, maybe?

Wow, I've never thought about the screens actually adding to the rigidity of the front rollbar. I have only the middle sections removed in my tour rigs. I like to be able to have easy access through the middle, while still keeping the cages behind the front seats. That way, on steep rocky descents I don't get anyone (or anything) flying forward and hitting me in the back of the head while I'm trying to drive!