Must Tractor ROPS Be So High?

[bdhsfz6]

There must be some latitude in the ROPS design height. I had both a Kubota open station L6060hst and a L6060hstc cabbed version. The hst ROPS version wouldn't clear my 8' garage door but the hstc with cab clears with 2 inches to spare.

The hstc weighs slightly more than the hst so perhaps the ROPS height is determined in part by tractor weight?

 

[arrow]

There must be some latitude in the ROPS design height. I had both a Kubota open station L6060hst and a L6060hstc cabbed version. The hst ROPS version wouldn't clear my 8' garage door but the hstc with cab clears with 2 inches to spare.

The hstc weighs slightly more than the hst so perhaps the ROPS height is determined in part by tractor weight?

I would not doubt this be one factor or at least for tube wall thickness.

 

[Texasmark]

If a given model has an optional Backhoe the ROPS must be tall.

That figures. Must also apply to rear tires....2450# per 12x16.5 R4 tire for a tractor weighing 1800#. Might as well do as the cave man did...roll on rocks!

 

[jyoutz]

I came within a hairs breath of "customizing" one of my carport stalls headboard. Stopped about six inches short of contact. Easy solution for me. Move tractor over to my really tall carport.
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That’s a more appropriate storage area for a tractor. Garages are for cars and Christmas decorations.

 

[whitehair]

I cut 5" off mine and added light bar. Not going to sale or trade tractor so I do not care.

Yup, I did the same after measuring my garage door. Just be exact on your measurements

 

[mikerose]

I wonder what the connection is between back hoe and ROPS height, that's interesting. I ended up raising my barn's rafters so I could back the Kubota in without folding the ROPS, but I sometimes put it in the garage so I can plow straight out when a big storm is coming. For that of course I have to fold it. Not a big deal, but it's better to not have to do it.

 

[sunandsand]

With the tires properly inflated, the ROPS *just* brushes the weather seal on my 8' roll-up door. If the tires are a bit low, there's no contact. Easy way to determine correct tire pressure ;-)

I ALWAYS!!! wear my seatbelt. Problem is that if you need it, there isn't time to fasten it. Kinda like a motorcycle helmet - you don't have time to go buy one when the need suddenly arises.

Some years ago, I was teaching at a flight school which had about 20 Cessna 150s. Turns out I am exactly the right height to walk under the wing (outboard of the strut - you only make that mistake once) and the wing does not touch my (bald) head. I'd walk out on the ramp and if the lower wing skin brushed my head, I'd point to the tire and say "That tire's low." They'd measure it and it was, to the total and complete amazement of the students. I developed quite a reputation there, geez, this guy knows EVERYTHING (not totally true, but I do know a lot) and they never caught on. Now it can be told ;-)

Best Regards,

Mike/Florida

 

[Mudfarmer]

They didn't used to be as high. My 2009 JD 3005 easily backs through my 7 foot garage door (see my icon). My 2004 Kubota B2710 just barely clears it. Neither of those fold. The one on my 2020 Kubota B2610 sticks about a foot above the garage frame, fortunately it folds.

 

[ljjhouser]

When I build my shed, I put a rolling door on and 9' height. No need to fold.

 

[ljjhouser]

I am not judging anyone here it is your tractor. Maybe it is safe for you to do it.
Personally, I would not recommend it to others as they might not be as experienced, live on a hillside, or destroy their tractor because they didn't understand that cutting the ROPS is a bad idea. If you disagree, please call your insurance agent and ask.


Due to potential lawsuits, I doubt they pick a random height and call it a day.
They would have to have data backed by studies to show they did their due diligence when a lawsuit comes along. I agree that it is a height to protect both operator and tractor to reduce rollovers that crush the operator.

I think my tractor has stickers all over it. The ROPS also it's share of stickers. I also think one of them states any modification (cutting or drilling) voids all warranties and
nullifies safety assurances. Or something to that effect. The layman's meaning is basically this - If you did it, you are on your own. No need to tell us about it.

 

[MossyDell]

When fully raised, my ROPS will barely squeak under my garage door. But backing out, it will pucker the bottom lip of the door.

These photos show my ROPS in the second position. Does this look safe to you? It doesn't feel nearly safe to me. But if it's not as safe as fully raised, it makes me wonder why Kubota made that setting available.

 

[Root Cause]

When fully raised, my ROPS will barely squeak under my garage door. But backing out, it will pucker the bottom lip of the door.

These photos show my ROPS in the second position. Does this look safe to you? It doesn't feel nearly safe to me. But if it's not as safe as fully raised, it makes me wonder why Kubota made that setting available.

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Just a guess but thinking that at the lower height it is meeting some pre-determined, standard garage door height.
Looking at other tractors, I feel confident that in a lowered state, it would not protect you nearly as well in roll over. Your manual might confirm or explain it better.

I had a small one (no ROPS) flip on me many years ago. I was not on a bad hill. Driven over it 1000 times. But a little trailer tongue dug in and the front end came up and over in a second. Small as it was, I was grateful that I slid off to the side and watched it die. There wasn't much room between the seat, steering wheel and the ground.

 

[MossyDell]

Thanks, Root Cause. My manual does not explain this setting. It does say Kubota recommends the ROPS and seat belt in almost all applications.

I am only about 5'-8" now and the bent position is probably okay protection. It just looks so different/so much lower than fully raised. As you indicate, I am leery of trusting it to protect me as well as fully raised.

 

[Dennis59]

I think that is correct so therefore no mfgr will lower it for fear of liability. As someone suggested,cut it down or custom desighn your own.

I would not cut the original one down, if you have the ability built a custom one then you can just replace the original if you want or need to sell the tractor. Just keep in mind that you are sacrificing some of the safety designed for the tractor make sure you know what you are doing

 

[Root Cause]

Thanks, Root Cause. My manual does not explain this setting. It does say Kubota recommends the ROPS and seat belt in almost all applications.

I am only about 5'-8" now and the bent position is probably okay protection. It just looks so different/so much lower than fully raised. As you indicate, I am leery of trusting it to protect me as well as fully raised.

Do as you please but I doubt it would work exactly the same.
if the ROPs sink in soft soil, it might not do what you think. Put a stick of PVC from tip of hood to top of ROPS and see if you are gonna get popped in the head.

If I was concerned about doing damage to the garage, I would mount a piece of PVC pipe as you see at a drive-thru.
I would set it so it hit me in the head just to make sure I noticed it.

It is easier to sit here a tell others what to do than to do everything right myself so I get it.
Putting the ROPS up just seems like an easy thing to do while you wait for the engine to warm up. Just my 2¢

 

[ovrszd]

It is probably that high so if in a rollover, the head will be in a protected area below a line from the roll bar to the front of the hood. Just a guess.

Yep. Tie a string to the crossbeam at the center. Draw it tight to the front top of your hood. Is there room for you under the string in a rollover?

 

[RalphVa]

When fully raised, my ROPS will barely squeak under my garage door. But backing out, it will pucker the bottom lip of the door.

These photos show my ROPS in the second position. Does this look safe to you? It doesn't feel nearly safe to me. But if it's not as safe as fully raised, it makes me wonder why Kubota made that setting available.

View attachment 731763

View attachment 731764

That's where mine is now. It'll be probably high enough where I can go back to wearing a seat belt in case of rollover. Also is still low enough to save $3,000 repair on the front of the carriage house again.

 

[V1BuzzBomb]

I didn't read all the posts but I concur and will jump right in. I purchased a SCUT June 1, 2020, so, obviously, I was seriously looking. I really wanted to buy a Deere 102X series but I didn't for a few issues...

1) Supply of used, reasonable price, with accessories I wanted was very limited.
2) They are notably larger than a BX. I already have a larger more capable machine. Small size was key.
3) ROPS height. OMG! The earlier 1023/1025 have tall ROPS. The most recent production 1023/1025 ROPS are ginormous. I can't even guess at height. I have countless trees, low service wires, etc. No, I don't care if a ROPS can fold, and no, I'm not interested in operating the machine with the ROPS folded. I bought a BX2360. The ROPS height is 70.4". That absolutely sold me.

 

[V1BuzzBomb]

Yup, between the rops height of a BX2360, fixed height, and a BX2370, foldable, there has got to be 9-12 " difference. And the rops from a BX2360, will fit perfectly on a BX2370. I doubt if mankind grew that extra height between the time Kubota switched rops on one model to another.

You nailed it. If I were to buy a BX70. I would certainly retrofit the ROPS from a BX60

 

[MHarryE]

Agricultural ROPS sold in USA must meet ISO 12003. It dictates things like materials that can be used, tractor mass, ergonomics for folding ROPS, and whole bunch of other stuff including "clearance zone".
framework protecting drivers of agricultural tractors, which minimizes the likelihood of driver injury resulting from accidental overturning during normal field work. The ROPS is characterized by the provision of space for a clearance zone, either inside the envelope of the structure or within a space bounded by a series of straight lines from the outer edges of the structure to any part of the tractor that might come into contact with the ground; it is capable of supporting the tractor in an overturned position. The clearance zone is based on 90th percentile operator. Designing equipment involved a lot of compromises - clearance height limits for trucking was the main ROPS height problem I had. That height dictated operator's location. Many wanted higher seats for visibility but the top of the ROPS dictated how high.

Suppliers are not allowed to sell tractors that don't meet the many requirements of ISO 12003; however, you as a customer can do whatever you want to modify your ROPS. It's only a problem if you are somebody who hires employees who operate the same tractor. Working with insurance companies, its a question I had to answer. They look for any out when paying even if the modification may not have contributed to the injuries/death.