ROPS & Seatbelts WORK!!

troutsqueezer · Sep 22, 2015

Good post. :thumbsup:

Ed of all trades · Sep 23, 2015

Don't feel like we are shaking our finger at you, we are not. Every one of us who has had much time in a tractor seat is remembering when he did something and was blessed to walk away unhurt. Some of us remember times when the lesson cost a bit more. You just learned a lesson and we were reminded of the lessons we have learned. Thanks for posting. Ed

riptides · Sep 23, 2015

Well, you are ok. That is good. Don't second guess leaving an unstable platform. If you have ROPS and a seat belt, use them. You did right.

rd_macgregor · Sep 23, 2015

It warms my heart to see somebody doing work with the ROPS NOT folded! Too many folks fold down the ROPS so they can drive it into their shed or garage, then start to get lazy about putting it back up when they are doing work. This thread shows how quickly things can go wrong, even on fairly flat terrain. A folded ROPS just can't do the job it is designed to do. I don't know if the OP might have been injured had his ROPS been folded, but having it up and locked in place certainly made injury less likely. Good job there!

Industrial Toys · Sep 23, 2015

I only ever put on a seat belt when I think I am in danger. It's my neck, but it's just too much hassle. I flipped my first tractor this summer, albeit just my little steiner. Quite disorienting, trying to get the thing shut off in a hurry. Where did the key go? I'm glad I wasn't strapped in as I might have gotten caught under it, rather then jumping away.

Ballast is important, but a lot of ballast on a small tractor can present a problem of it's own. Sure, the front is balanced with the back when the loader is full, but it can be a lot of weight in motion.

GreenYellow · Sep 23, 2015

Good post Gary. Glad you're unscathed. Thanks for the reminder.

I know you don't need any "what you did wrong is..." commentary. I suspect you're pretty clear on that.

What you did RIGHT is wear your seatbelt. Kudos to you.

sdef · Sep 23, 2015

No worries. You are okay and learned from the experience in a relatively inexpensive manner. I have had many tractor experiences I learned from also, with the most frightening having a corner of the bucket caught under a root, boulder, whatever, while clearing land and have the tractor very quickly lurch/layover towards one side and almost roll to one side quickly as the bucket is being raised. Severe pucker factor and thoughtful, quick handling required immediately. Actually, in this case I quickly lowered the 3PH weight and shut off the engine as the tractor teetered and I climbed off the high side to clean myself up

-)) and assess the situation. Not too many second chances here, but I got one. Very careful handling of the FEL with the tractor powered off saved the day.

In time it will become second nature to carefully lower the 3PH weight towards the ground to lower the center of gravity and control the bucket as required. Just takes experience with negative situations and smooth handling based upon experience. With smooth handling being a critical skill.

Of course, I agree with the posters stating a heavy bucket must be kept close to the ground, else a rollover is much more likely to happen. Practicing this, I have never had a potential rollover issue with a loaded bucket and my tractor is worked to it maximum capabilities and beyond often.

I no longer wear my seat belt while using the tractor at slow working speeds on relatively level ground, as it has me tied to the seat with nowhere to go except where the tractor decides to go in an unexpected maneuver. Plus I often stand up often while working the FEL on my HST tractor so I can better see what is going on, with the tractor nearly stationary. And yes my ROPs is always in its proper place- up.

bwalley · Sep 23, 2015

Happy you didn't get hurt. Some ego ice would probably help.

Garycw · Sep 23, 2015

Ed of all trades said:
Don't feel like we are shaking our finger at you, we are not. Every one of us who has had much time in a tractor seat is remembering when he did something and was blessed to walk away unhurt. Some of us remember times when the lesson cost a bit more. You just learned a lesson and we were reminded of the lessons we have learned. Thanks for posting. Ed

I don't think that at all. I do like constructive criticism and tips that I and others might learn from though.

riptides said:
Well, you are ok. That is good. Don't second guess leaving an unstable platform. If you have ROPS and a seat belt, use them. You did right.

I felt I was wise to have ROPS fully up and seatbelt on. Anytime the loaders on there up and on. I also have no problem leaving a unstable machine quickly. I just don't know how quick I'm am anymore in my 60's. Also had a total hip replacement last October after being ran over by another tractor. I'm all for jumping though if need be such as a tractor w/o ROPS & belt.

rd_macgregor said:
It warms my heart to see somebody doing work with the ROPS NOT folded! Too many folks fold down the ROPS so they can drive it into their shed or garage, then start to get lazy about putting it back up when they are doing work. This thread shows how quickly things can go wrong, even on fairly flat terrain. A folded ROPS just can't do the job it is designed to do. I don't know if the OP might have been injured had his ROPS been folded, but having it up and locked in place certainly made injury less likely. Good job there!

I hope others learn from this too that they DO work. First time I've ever tested one and hope the last. Even though this was a scut and a somewhat mild roll over, it could have certainly been deadly. All I can say is Use Them! Your family will thank you!
Did get the rest of the 10" gravel spread and leveled today Very carefully. Added more ballast and kept bucket 2" off ground. Still had to drop the bucket a cpl times removing the gravel ramp.

GPintheMitten · Sep 23, 2015

Don't assume you can step off or jump off.

Thirty some years ago I was brush hogging a new to me property with a Ford 2N. No ROP, no seat belt. Grass was high and I didn't see it was driving into a field ditch. It happened quickly and I put my foot down and the rear tire caught my boot and dragged me off the tractor.

I had a toggle switch ignition and hit it on my way down just in time. The tractor rolled up my leg to my bum. My other leg was pointing up doing the splits by the time it stopped. It could have killed me.

I pulled my free leg down to stop doing the splits. Then I releases the pto, put the tractor in neutral started it thenow slammed into reverse with no clutch. It rolled back about a foot then stalled. I was still stuck and going into shock. I put it in neutral again, started it and slammed it into reverse again
I repeated this a few times and eventually was able to dig my foot out.

Almost passed out a few times while I crawled back to.my truck and drove home.

Do not assume you can step off or jump off either side.