Building a ROPS?!

[RedRocker]

Wow Ken, that's pretty scary. I don't think u bolts will do the trick, most of them aren't graded that I know of. You want strength side to side as well as front to back. Take a look as some modern tractors and copy as close as possible how they are attached.

 

[Gumby6]

After seeing those tragic accident pics, I would say that the previously given advise of U bolts around axle would be of little or no help as by their very nature (round) this same kind of failure would be possible, if not likely.

The original design of that tractor clearly carried the load to the bottom of the axle housing and thus the entire housing could accept and tolerate the load a roll over would exert. The top casting clearly gave little to no real support. Cast iron is inherently brittle and welding to cast iron is never recommended as the weld itself is brittle and only crystallizes the cast iron further.

JMHO but I would say any home built ROPS should incorporate some kind of forward mounted support to the frame similar to the cages built by the previously mentioned racers. Maybe not as elaborate but definitely a forward support to both sides of the tractor would be warranted.

 

[gmci]

This site lists an aftermarket ROPS for a B250, which I think was very similar to your B275. Might be worth checking out.
laurin-inc
Also as you are using the tractor for forestry work, you may want to check out Feric . They used to have a number of papers on modifications to tractors for forestry use (including ROPS - from what I can remember). They want you to buy the articles, but copies may also be found at libraries/forestry schools. May help to give you some ideas if you go the homebuilt route.

 

[kenmac]

No, you'er not talking about a race car at high speeds, but the forces could very well be the same if you back flip a tractor that weights 3000 to 4000 lbs on top of you. This has been discussed many times here on tbn .That's why R.O.P.S. go through much testing. Even with the rops ,I still pull heavy objects with the front of my tractor instead of the rear.

 

[OldMcDonald]

I have to agree. I have had a somewhat varied life, often needing to be employed as well as farming, and in my time I have been a Farm Safety Officer and a Risk Manager. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BUILD YOUR OWN ROPS. Plain and simple. It does not matter how strong you make it, or how pretty it looks, if it is not made specifically to the required standard for your particular tractor - in all respects of height, width, strength, fixing, etc etc etc, then it might not save your life if you tip the tractor, and nothing else matters, it must protect you otherwise there is no point in having it. Remember too, that more tractors roll sideways than backwards (you have to actually make it tip backwards by doing something you should not) and sometimes they tip forward. Old McDonald.

 

[dent8]

Many thanks for that link, I didn't think that there would be much chance of a rops for our old ih 3444. We did pick up a couple of other units with protection from the departing property seller, so it is not as high on the list as it was before, but the story of that poor Iowian(?) family was certainly compelling and I did email the Laurin Co. for purchasing info.
Vas-Went through your previous thread and nowhere did I see mentioned as a suggestion to pick up a tractor that looks about as old as us for a pittance! Way to go, old metal rules.
I checked the link for the yahoo group, there's one member, I wouldn't be much help as I am not that chatty.
Dennis

 

[cleatus]

After looking at several factory ROPS, if I decide I want one on my VAC rowcrop, I would defently build my own as I would want something that would have enought strength to not be the reason I died in a rollover or flip.
That article was about a well built ROPS that wasn't attached in a common sense manner. JMHO

 

[kenmac]

All I can say is, if you build your own R.O.P.S. don't assume it will hold up in a back flip or a roll & let a kid or someone else operate the tractor. I'am sure this guy thought he had all the bases covered when he built & installed his R.O.P.S. now his son is dead .I hate to see anyone hurt or killed in a tractor accident ,especially a child. Always wear your seat belt . R.O.P.S. & seat belt go hand & hand.

 

[rath64]

This post caught my eye since I have a B275 also. Bare Co lists a ROPS for the B275. I believe you have to find a dealer to get pricing info. Below is the web page. I would be interested learning what you find out.


http://www.bare-co.com/files/rop/rop1.htm

 

[Maine_Polack]

Naw. Try this group with 482 members. internationalbseriestractors web page

I guess the forum from the other link with one member, must be for people who like to talk to themselves...