Overhead protection for falling debris?

   / Overhead protection for falling debris? #1  

jcims

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
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278
Location
Ohio
Hey Folks,

Not sure if this is the right forum. I'm new to TBN and am absorbing the tons of info on here. I'm moving out to a 13 acre wooded lot and am looking for a CUT to live with for the next 5-10 years (is there an eHarmony.com for tractors?)

There are so many variables in the brand/size/feature questions, i thought i would start with something simple. Are there any aftermarket or factory kits for overhead protection? The area i'm in has a lot of 'widowmakers'...old dead limbs hanging 60ft above the ground, ready to turn you into a human tent stake at the next big gust of wind or, in this case, a bump from a tractor. Certainly not much would stop a 300lb limb from smashing you, but are there cages/screens/etc that might slow a 10 pounder down a bit? I'm thinking it could be mounted on the rops like the sunshades, possibly something with front supports as well.

Thanks in advance for the feedback and i'm looking forward to the journey to tractordom (the horizon is very orange at the moment, lol)
 
   / Overhead protection for falling debris? #2  
jcims:

Welcome to TBN :D! They do make Fall Over Protection (FOPS) canopies for aftermarket tractors that mount to the tractor's existing Roll Over Protection (ROPS) roll bar. I got mine through my tractor dealer. I believe that the FOPS manufacturer was the Perry Company out of Texas, but I seem unable to find them on the internet at the moment. Just be aware that there are sunshade type canopies (i.e. fiberglass) and FOPS canopies (metal). I purchased my FOPS after dropping a load of snow in my lap a couple of years ago. They do block branches as well as knock into lower limbs (just another thing to focus on while working the tractor). I have not dinged mine yet :rolleyes:. Jay
 

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   / Overhead protection for falling debris?
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#3  
jbrumberg said:
Welcome to TBN :D! They do make Fall Over Protection (FOPS) canopies

Hi Jay!

Thanks for the welcome. Sometimes using google is like mining for gold. FOPS is the word that struck the motherlode. Thanks for the info!!!
 
   / Overhead protection for falling debris? #4  
As far as I know there are only two companies that build canopies to Falling Object Protective Structures (FOPS) specifications. The Perry Company which as jbrumberg said is in Texas and the Wells Ag Company which is also in Texas. Neither company builds a universal canopy that meets those specifications. They have to be their tractor model specific models to fall under the specification. Both canopies look a lot alike. I have the aluminum version of the Wellag for over 8 years. It has taken a lot of hits but I am still using it.
Perry Company
Wellag Company
 
   / Overhead protection for falling debris? #5  
Here is what one guy that posted in the Kioti forum did, and it looks great!
 

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   / Overhead protection for falling debris?
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#6  
ChuckinNH said:
Here is what one guy that posted in the Kioti forum did, and it looks great!

I loved that! I saw it via a google search and tried PM'ing him, but i think something got messed up between the gallery and the forum (gallery said the user was hpowell and the forum said RedRocker). Will try again...it looks very sturdy and i like having the bars up front to push brush out of the way.
 
   / Overhead protection for falling debris? #7  
You are right to be concerned about falling limbs. I had a near miss last summer. I was clearing some ground when the loader bucket got tangled with some wild grape vines. Tried to break the vines loose by backing up the tractor. The vines must have been wrapped around a dead branch. Before I realized it I received a bang on the top of my head from a branch about 4" to 6" in diameter. Fortunately for me the ROPS took most of the impact. I just wound up with a bump on the head and a bad headache. I am very careful when operating my tractor in timber now.
 
   / Overhead protection for falling debris? #8  
I'm blessed with 2 good dents on the tractor's metal hood from falling limbs. I can just imagine those dents on my hood (head). You can't be too careful.
 
   / Overhead protection for falling debris? #9  
I had a local welder build me an excellent protection system out of square stock and expanded metal (the stuff that looks kinda like a metal screen). It attaches to the rollover bar, forms a canopy overhead, then the frame comes down to attach to the front end loader frame. Then it also goes from the canopy part and angles down over the hood to attach to the front bumper. It all pins in for quick detach/attach, and the expanded metal even has it's own framing made of flat steel pieces. The expanded metal part also quick-pins on. It deters some of your view but not enough to worry when you're in the woods.....heck I leave it on alot of the time. It's the best thing I've ever seen and trust me.....you don't wanna buy one of these NH plastic hoods............$3,800.....I know..... that's why I had this made.

I don't have real good pics of it right now but here's one that shows the expanded metal off. I have a make-shift tarp on the top for shade.
 

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   / Overhead protection for falling debris? #10  
I added stout tops to my roll bars. Built a framework of heavy 1" square tubing about 3' by 6' and welded it to the roll bar with plenty of bracing, and sheeted it with 3/4" treated plywood. Gives very good falling object protection, as well as shade and rain protection. Also works well as a scaffold when doing overhead work.

Ironically, it cost much less than a flimsy fiberglass oem top, and it's bigger and much more durable. It's been a few years, but the fabrication was about $250, the plywood was about $25, and about $5 worth of small bolts to attach the plywood. The fabricator pre-drilled holes in the square tubing for the plywood bolts.
 
 
 
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