Do ROPS' work when UP? Do they work when folded?

[timswi]

The ROPS should be used at all times with the seat belt. If you skip either one, all bets are off.

With the rops down, the seatbelt must be off so that your are not attached to the machine that will flatten you...Ever wonder why ATV's and Waverunners don't have seatbelts? You are completely on your own as far as safety.

With the rops down and you roll over, your mellon might be destroyed, but from your shoulders down should look pretty good.

 

[MikePA]

I think to say "No Protection" is going a little to far. Like I said earlier it would depend on where they fold. It would probably depend on the surface you are on as well.

Whatever part of your body that is above the line I referred to gets crushed. Since, for most of us, what's above the line is an important body part, that's no protection. Even if you rolled over on soft ground, being slowly pushed into it because my ROPS was down isn't protection either. As with many safety devices, don't use them at your own, and your family's, risk.

"See you at lunchtime honey, I'm going out to plow the lower 40 of marshmallows and then the 20 acres of pillows, so I'm leaving the ROPS down.":confused2:

 

[tommu56]

1) Curious about peoples' experiences toppling over:
- Did your ROPS bend? YES
- Did you get hurt? does pride count? no
- Did you have your seat belt on? YES
- Do you feel it saved your life, or at least saved you from injury? yes

2) Do ROPS' work when folded down? My manual says "Fold the ROPS down only when absolutely necessary and fold it up and lock it again as soon as possible." ... but it doesn't say it won't actually work when folded down.

The ROPS is basically a lever the shorter the lever it is more ineffective
So if it is folded it won't work as well.
I think my manual says if it is folded don't use the seat belt

tom

 

[johnrex62]

I would venture to speculate that even folded the ROPS would offer some protection, albeit severely limited.

As long as you are wearing your seatbelt and no longer require the presence or functionality of your head or upper spinal column you will be fine. The portion of your body below the top of the seat will very likely be saved.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I see a lot of tractors and big commercial-size mowers being operated with the ROPs folded down. I bet a significant number of the operators are just safety-conscious enough to fasten their seatbelts...exactly the wrong combination!
BOB

 

[beenthere]

That would be quite the project as that are welded to the frame.

Mine is welded to brackets that are bolted to the frame. Would be easy to remove if desired. But then would have to figure out where to mount the lights and saw scabbard.

 

[nebraskasparks]

Put the rops up and fasten the seat belt. This prevents DEATH 99 percent of the time from that 1 percent chance that you didn't think your tractor could do such a thing to you. Cheap and it works. Getting buried because the Rops wasn't up or the seat belt wasn't fastened doesn't make for a great discussion at the funeral.

Carry a limb cutter of some type if branches get in the way. Next thing you know is that you'll be working around your property enjoying it instead of cursing the branches that pull your hat off or smack you in the face. I spent three days trimming tree branches that got in my way and my attitude improved about one hundred percent. (Don't ask me how long I cursed the branches!)

 

[beenthere]

The branches hit you in the back of the head after your head goes by them.

 

[nebraskasparks]

No matter what direction the branch smacks you...ruins a great attitude.:laughing:

 

[beppington]

No matter what direction the branch smacks you...ruins a great attitude.:laughing:

Now you're splitting hairs.

Puntended

 

[MikePA]

A week or so ago a newbie started a thread about bad and/or dangerous advice he claimed to have seen in some other threads on TBN. I couldn't recall ever seeing such a thread.....until now. Stating that a folded ROPS provides some or limited protection is dangerous and irresponsible advice.

A folded ROPS provides no protection.

 

[Qapla]

The safety devices are put on the equipment for a reason ... they work. Keep the ROPS up!

However, just because the ROPS is up and you have your seatbelt on, don't forget that safety starts with the operator. Don't fool yourself into thinking that just because the safety devices are in place you can do things with your tractor that it was not designed to do.

These include but are not limited to:

• overly-steep grades
• driving with the FEL up
• trying to pull stumps with the 3PH draw-bar
• heavy implements on the front or back without counter-balance

Use common sense. :thumbsup:

 

[Duffster]

A week or so ago a newbie started a thread about bad and/or dangerous advice he claimed to have seen in some other threads on TBN. I couldn't recall ever seeing such a thread.....until now. Stating that a folded ROPS provides some or limited protection is dangerous and irresponsible advice.

A folded ROPS provides no protection.

It doesn't matter how many time you say it it doesn't make it true.

 

[papavillars]

Do they work when up- definitely, twice in my family. First time my nephew was filling the deer feeders and laid the kubota m4900 over on its side when he ran the back wheel off the culvert. As preached and preached he DID have his seat belt on. The tractor landed on its right side. He called me on a cell phone and told me this bit of news. I called my neighbor and he used his backhoe and uprighted it. Dealer recommended letting it sit upright for a couple of hours and then it started right up. no scratches and nephew was fine. The second time a rops saved someone was me. I was mowing around a dead tree ( oak wilt has killed lots of trees in our area) and a huge limb fell. All I know is that all of a sudden something hit me on the head and split my head open. This limb had fallen on the rops and then hit me on the head. If I had not had the rops it might of severly hurt me instead of just cutting my head open. SO USE YOUR ROPS PROPERLY. Are they a pain in the *** around trees, yes but they might let you hug your kids and wife tonight. Remeber none of us wanting someone else raising our kids, and certainly not driving my tractor.

 

[aczlan]

SO USE YOUR ROPS PROPERLY. Are they a pain in the *** around trees, yes but they might let you hug your kids and wife tonight. Remeber none of us wanting someone else raising our kids, and certainly not driving my tractor.

Good way to put it.

Aaron Z

 

[doall]

the limbs hit me both ways. Off the loader in the face then they bounce off the rops and get the back so I will match. But I agree rops up.

 

[CBW1999]

A folded ROPS provides no protection.

Likely there is data to support this satement

It doesn't matter how many time you say it it doesn't make it true.

You aren't providin anything in evidence to support your counter claim- except this statement....?

If it were designed to be effective when folded down then probably it would be marketed that way (different selections for each model). Like anything with various applications, there are directions that specify the Who,What,Where,When,Why. All I have been able to find cautions the folding down or removal of a ROPS as "only when absolutly needed"- and specifies some of these reasons. Most often the folding option is for ease of transport and parking (lower height).

I stand corrected on the no ROPS, no seatbelt use. I now realize the theory, that on the first roll, you plop out and the tractor likely keeps rolling. Or, you might not be pinned between seat and ground. My son was curious when I was playing with his "Tonka" trucks to figure this out:laughing:

 

[MikePA]

It doesn't matter how many time you say it it doesn't make it true.

Anyone who makes a post containing dangerous advice which is contrary to what's in every operator's manual for a tractor with a ROPS has the burden of proof.

 

[Duffster]

Anyone who makes a post containing dangerous advice which is contrary to what's in every operator's manual for a tractor with a ROPS has the burden of proof.

Bull Pucky.

Anybody speaking in terms of absolutes as in "provides NO protection" has the burden of proof.

I haven't posted or read anything posted by anyone else in this thread that could be considered dangerous advice.

 

[Egon]

Do ROPS' work when UP? Do they work when folded?

In either position the ROP"s are not working. They are only working when the tractor is Inverted or approaching that position!