If the round bale is fixed to the forks why would you need a FOPS?
Because equipment, accessories and recommended usage methods fail. In my case, the bale was fixed to the forks with a heavy duty ratchet strap and when the lift arms unexpectedly and uncontrolably went up rather than leveling the forks the bale was virtually launched out of the restraint.
How is the manufacturer "obligated"? Some of us don't want or need self leveling and fops (or Rops).
Some people remove ROPS and PTO shaft guards and some people won't wear seat belts. Manufacturers are "obligated" where possible and reasonable to protect and warn about obvious risks. That is why there are warning bells with seatbelts and why it is against the law to drive without using them. That is why manufactorers must install shields and ROPS and why dealers must replace or repair shields or ROPS if not in safe condition.
Not expensive? Bales spears are inexpensive.
An after market hydraulic self leveling device costs less than a spear and spears that are recommended as OEM equipment for quick detach loaders are in fact very expensive. Also, in my incident, the bale would have likely come off the spear and land in the same place causing the same injury.
Where does this Massey dealer say this? Just because and implement or attachment is sold for a tractor or loader doesn't mean that it should be used for anything and everything and expected to be safe.
Loaders and their attachments are made as multi purpose or multi use equipment. The manufacturer, or dealer for that matter, should present its equipment safe for common usage and safe even for unanticipated uses. After all, the manufacturer cannot anticipate every possible use. A FOPS would prevent injury both from common and unanticipated usage. Bale handling in fact is a common usage. What else is a fork lift intended for except materials handling and if measures are taken that are consistent with manufacturer's recommendations for use, then why not move round bales with forks. Are you saying that there something inherently dangerous with forks when used in an acceptable and safe manner?
Again, if the round bale is fixed to the forks why would you need a FOPS?
Again, recommendations for use by manufacturers can fail and manufacturers cannot possibly address every alternative safe use in terms of published safety recommendations. Generally it is safest to look to the end result or final common pathway in preventing injuries. In the case of PTO shafts it is PTO shields. In the case ROPS it is roll-overs which can occur under innumerable circumstances. In the case of FOPS it is roll-off or fall-off from loaders and their attachments. The bottom line is that FOPS will protect against nearly all of them and no more costly than ROPS which are now standard with tractors without cabs. FOPS should be standard with loaders. How can you argue against that?
