thanks all for response. I don't intend on selling it until the whole tractor is ready to be sold as scrap. I will keep your sugestions in mind in case there is an unexpected change in plans. I think as far as liability is concerned I don't think any one really has the right to sue Kubota if they roll over their machine so that takes the rops failure out of play even if left unmodified. Kubota has their *** covered when they tell you not to use on too steep a slope, so if you do you failed............anyway we could all hash up all sorts of rediculas legal b.s. and really all just end up frusterated. I would be interested though in seeing pics of mods if any one has them. Just2quick,....I havn't looked into what it would cost to buy some, I just figured it would be quite a wad of cash.....did I figure wrong?
converting ROPS to foldable
- Thread starter johann
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i wouldn't worry too much about future liability. frivolous injury lawsuits tend to follow big money,so unless you're a manufacturer, it's probably not a huge issue. sure, you could get the odd person who will try to sue, but that's why you put that nice clause in the bill of sale: "as-is, where-is, for parts only, with no implied warranty."
aside from that, the folding rops would probably be a selling feature. i see tons of people still buying and using older non rops tractors, and any that use a standard car garage (9x7 or 8x7 door) to store or work on them would want the folding rops. my jd770 barely clears one of them. anything larger wouldn't make it. they'll be happy to have a folding rops.
it's always nice to err on the side of caution, but i've seen a lot of people here who wear a belt and suspenders with overalls. heck, i think some of them would turn themselves into the epa if they held an aerosol can at the wrong angle and accidentally released some of the propellant into the atmosphere.
aside from that, the folding rops would probably be a selling feature. i see tons of people still buying and using older non rops tractors, and any that use a standard car garage (9x7 or 8x7 door) to store or work on them would want the folding rops. my jd770 barely clears one of them. anything larger wouldn't make it. they'll be happy to have a folding rops.
it's always nice to err on the side of caution, but i've seen a lot of people here who wear a belt and suspenders with overalls. heck, i think some of them would turn themselves into the epa if they held an aerosol can at the wrong angle and accidentally released some of the propellant into the atmosphere.
Soundguy
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um.. if I bought a tractor with a certified rops, and that rops failed in a manner in which it was not suposed to.. I think that would be a legit sticking point / hot poker in a legal case.. product liability lawsuits can get expensive fast.
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wvpolekat
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Also, most people have personal liability insurance with their homeowners. Mine is $100,000.
Soundguy
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yep.. and it's a good thing to have ( personal umbrella.. etc. )
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Gary Fowler
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My comment was addressed toward safety of the unit only. In todays world any one can sue anyone for any frivolous reason and cost you a fortune in legal fees even if you are totally innocent. I stand by my comment that if you follow the design of a like model folding ROPS and use same material or better, you will have a product that will perform as well or better than the manufacturers design. This would be for your personal use only and not to be sold to anyone else without then signing a disclaimer and having it notarized. That said even with ROPS and seat belt own, there is not a 100% guarantee that you wont be hurt in a roll over. These things are nothing more than seat belts in a car, in that they add protection if used properly. I am sure none of the manufacturers have a warranty that says you can not possible get hurt in a roll over if you use my product. If they did, I wouldnt buy it because it is ludicrous to think that would be true.
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I wouldn't even do that. In many areas you cannot waive your rights..
best to sell it as scrap metal or a sun shade holder, and remove the rops sticker on it.
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Gary Fowler
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Well yes, but better to just give it away as free scrap. That really limits your liability. I think in order to do that you would need to remove it from the tractor though.
RobertN
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I always come back to the aftermarket Off-Road arena with these threads. If this was as big a deal, then the 4x4/off-road industry would be gone.
When my Dad got his Jeep years ago, the first thing that happened was a front cage installed. Welded to the existing factory rollbar. Fabricated at a welding shop. When I got that Jeep years later, I changed to a newer style factory rear rol bar. Then added a different front cage kit that had better head room. Then, when the kid was born, I added a "family cage" to that back.
Everyone I knew that had Jeeps MB/CJ2a/CJ3B/CJ6/CJ5/CJ7, Bronco's, Scouts, Land Cruisers, Blasers, we all did that.
And, If I were to get a Jeep again, it would be the first thing I would do.
So... What is the difference to tractors? Do I now have to worry the rest of my life about the Jeep I sold with the modified ROPS? That's a rollbar.
All of this too, would put race car fabricators ect out of business.
I would not advocate just going out an hacking on a ROPS. On a tractor or a Jeep. But, I do not think it is that huge a deal. I would though, want it welded by someone who really knows how to weld... I would not weld my own Jeep ROPS or tractor ROPS; I know I am not a very good welder.
When my Dad got his Jeep years ago, the first thing that happened was a front cage installed. Welded to the existing factory rollbar. Fabricated at a welding shop. When I got that Jeep years later, I changed to a newer style factory rear rol bar. Then added a different front cage kit that had better head room. Then, when the kid was born, I added a "family cage" to that back.
Everyone I knew that had Jeeps MB/CJ2a/CJ3B/CJ6/CJ5/CJ7, Bronco's, Scouts, Land Cruisers, Blasers, we all did that.
And, If I were to get a Jeep again, it would be the first thing I would do.
So... What is the difference to tractors? Do I now have to worry the rest of my life about the Jeep I sold with the modified ROPS? That's a rollbar.
All of this too, would put race car fabricators ect out of business.
I would not advocate just going out an hacking on a ROPS. On a tractor or a Jeep. But, I do not think it is that huge a deal. I would though, want it welded by someone who really knows how to weld... I would not weld my own Jeep ROPS or tractor ROPS; I know I am not a very good welder.
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Soundguy
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I bet if you looked real close at the specifics, you might find that 'race car' industry was considered inherently hazardous, participate at your own peril. That classification tends to limit or remove liability. I know it's that way with the horse industry in florida. Equine event holders are protected form liability arising from the sport. even spectators that show up are covered under tht law ( equine limited liability ).. ie.. if you are at a horse race and it jump a fence and crushes your spouse.. you are SOL can't sure. horses are considered inherently dangerous, and your participation ( defined as simply as presence at the event ) at the even puts your liability in your own hands.
I'd speculate that many super dangerous sports/hobies probably deal with that.
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