Tires Cross bar or turf tires & ROPS?

[Phils]

Just finalizing things for my order and in reading through past posts (I went to the beginning and am up to two years ago) maybe I don't want the cross bar tires? There was some discussion indicating the traction was better with the turf tires. I was choosing the cross-bars because I understood them to have a 4 ply rating vs the turf's 2 ply rating.

For years I owned a 2wd Pug that used turf tires and had little problem getting around on my land, and it seems if I "slime" the tires I won't have leakage problems. Also, since that Pug was an articulated machine I think I'm already used to that aspect, although with only 2WD I never got close to any "Pug Pucker".

I have seen many posts about "GET THE ROPS" (but I'm not mentioning any names, MR). I was concerned that with my heavily brushy trails I'd be knocking branches off and into my lap with the ROPS. Also, I'd have been inclined to not wear the seatbelt, so that I could jump if it started to go over. However, I'm not afraid to take good advice, and the advice here seems to be for both the ROPS and USE the seatbelt. Is there anybody here that doesn't use the belt and/or doesn't have the ROPS?

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Is there anybody here that doesn't use the belt and/or doesn't have the ROPS? )</font>

Conventional wisdom states that if you have a ROPS, you wear the seatbelt. Reason being that if the machine goes over and you're not wearing the belt, you have a greater chance of being pinned/crushed by the ROPS because you'll be thrown under it.

Conversely, if the ROPS is folded down, or there isn't one, then you don't wear the seatbelt because if you're belted in and the tractor goes over, you will be crushed. If you're not wearing the seatbelt, you have a chance of jumping off.

 

[Phils]

Thanks, Garry. Your second scenario is the way I would've felt: no ROPS and no seatbelt and jump (I've done it a few times before on other things). But before completing my order I wanted to pose the question here specifically.

Phil

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Phil:
Power Tracs don't frequently turn over, although I have heard of two instances of fairly gentle rolls by members on this board, both with ROPS. I have the ROPS on my 1845, however, and on a number of occasions there has been a loud clang as something fell on the steel canopy. Even more often, branches that would have made things uncomfortable were wiped aside by the ROPS.
(Of course, it also clangs when you hit your head on it, but as Terry observed when I did that at the factory: "You'll learn not to do that." /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

 

[MossRoad]

The nice thing about the Power Trac ROPS is it comes with the steel canopy. That thing has stopped many small branches, much light rain and even some bird bombs from hitting my head. It also helps to ease eye strain, because it is like having a nice shade tree above you at all times. You are in the shadows looking out. Like having a large brimmed hat on at all times. If you wear your seat belt and have a ROPS, and you start to tip over, just hang on to the steering wheel with both hands as tight as possible. The combination of your hands and the belt should keep you under and within the ROPS and canopy. I also believe the canopy would help keep a tip over from becoming a roll over as it is a much larger surface area than just a ROPS alone. But hoepfully(knock, knock) I will not find out. The canopy is made of plate steel and probably won't bend very easily. As Charlie mentioned, you will hit your head on it once and then you'll remember it's there. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

As for turf tires, I get great traction on the lawn and on the paved driveway in winter with our turf tires. However, I have noticed a tendancy for the unit to crab on side slopes of wet or snowy grass with turf tires. I have also been able to spin the turfs on ocassion when using the FEL in hard soil. They leave no marks at all when mowing.

Since I have never had bar tires on our PT, I cannot comment on how well they would do. If I ever need more traction, I will probably get chains. But not until the turfs let me down. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

One of the things that I plan on doing with the little PT in the future is using it for a mini log skidder in our very tight woods hauling out logs for firewood. It is so compact and powerful that I will have no problems dragging small logs of 12" diameter or less out to an area at the edge of the woods. When the day comes that I need more traction, I'll try chains first. If that doesn't work, I will go to bar tires and chains. Heck, I might even reverse the rims and make it look like the super-brute Fourteen has. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[pairodime]

Phil,
One of your earlier posts indicated you were going to use the tractor on 45 acres. I question whether either a 422 or 425 will meet your requirement. If you really are working a parcel that large, I recommend something larger (which would include a ROPS).

Also, bar tires have more traction than turf.

Pairodime

 

[Phils]

Thanks, those were the posts I was soliciting (except I haven't heard from Fourteen yet).

It may be 45 acres, but most of it is inaccessible by machine. I have been making trails big enough for my pickup over the last 25 years tho, and I think a PT will be very useful on them for hauling firewood and trail maintenance. I've got maybe 3 or 4 acres around the house that I have always mowed with a push rotary mower, as it's not grass, just weeds. The PT with the brush hog should handle that without a strain and I'm looking forward to NOT pushing that other mower around. But it's a rough area and would've broken any standard riding mower.

I've still got about a year and a half of posts to catch up on, but I've learned enough from you guys that I'll fax my final order to Scott tomorrow. I'm going without the ROPS for now, because of the kind of brush I'm in (manzanita 20 to 30 ft high), and past experience with other implements had more of a problem with something like the ROPS grabbing it and slapping me in the face (not that I don't sometimes deserve it). Hope I'm still allowed to join the family here without it --- I'm gonna have more questions.

 

[MuncyBob]

You won't miss pushing that mower!! I had the same situation here and now I find that I cut the grass more frequently for better grooming than before...because it's so **** easy! I only have the 422, turf tires and no ROPS. No problem with traction but I have not yet had it thru a winter....and I'm amazed how gentle the tires are on the lawn(3+ acres to mow also)...even when the ground is soft and I have made quick sharp turns. I opted no ROPS(not standard anyway on the 422 I think) mainly due to several low branches I must clear when mowing under the apple trees we have. I also do not use the seat belts for the same reason already stated.....they must make those belts for some really big people! Good luck with your decision...it's one I've been very pleased with. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Phils]

Thanks, Farmall140. I've read enough of your posts to value your opinion too. I initially didn't want the ROPS because of interference with low branches AND a hindering a quick exit in an emergency. Glad that works for you.

Now one other little request: this 422 is a one-seater. My wife wants to know how we will both ride out on the trails. Any of you have an answer? Bolt a kitchen chair to a pallet and use the forks to give her a place to sit (and maybe an "E" ticket ride?). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jol1269]

well i have a low area on my yard that stays wet and soft and the bar tread does great on it great traction , as well it doesnt tear up the yard , and i too cut more often now that its easy and almost fun . now i had a commercial mower and hated it thank god for the mower on the 425 , now for the seat belt and rops i love the shelter from the hot georgia sun and the seat belt is very big so unless your a 300 lber like myself you might want to cut the belt back as you will find it getting where ya dont want it .ie. under the tires i still have alot of extra room on my belt which surprised me what if i were a lil guy 200 lber ...id have about three foot of extra lol