I Hate ROPS...

[tbzep]

Just need to vent. The 3550's ROPS is tied into the tractor in such a way that it looks like I can't remove it without a sawzall. I've always run vintage open tractors with no ROPS and have easily ducked under limbs while bush hogging around the edges of my pastures. I keep the ROPS folded down, but it's still several inches higher than my head. Yesterday I easily pushed one above my head and when I dropped it back down, it caught the ROPS. The limb came forward and drilled me in the back of the head. Later, I ducked under one that was about eye level and it busted off the turn signal box mounted on the ROPS. Looked online and it's an $85 part. $@#$^!!! Time to get out the epoxy and fiberglass and see if I can salvage it.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I think maybe that tree was just giving you a dope-slap!

Just kidding... mostly. :laughing: Best of luck.

 

[RickB]

Talk about a first world problem.

Get slapped upside the head enough, you'll figure something out.

 

[Thomas]

I hear you understand,the day may come when your glad there best safety device on the tractor.

 

[riptides]

Roll over once and your hate goes away.

 

[Rustyiron]

Talk about a first world problem.

Get slapped upside the head enough, you'll figure something out.

Like grabbing the chainsaw?:laughing:

 

[Oldoak]

Like grabbing the chainsaw?:laughing:

That was my first thought and most logical.

Try running close to tree lines with a farm tractor with a vertical exhaust pipe up front while watching the implement behind you. You don't do that more than a couple of times before grabbing a chainsaw for sure. :confused2:

 

[tbzep]

That's shade for my cattle. I'm doing it for the childre....I mean cows!

 

[dieselcrawler]

My solution was built a full cage ROPS/FOPS complete with limb risers up from the grill guard and brush screen behind the ROPS. I love it.

 

[RickB]

That's shade for my cattle. I'm doing it for the childre....I mean cows!

That doesn't mean you can't limb the trees to ROPS height. That would promote air circulation under the trees and make it more comfy for the cows.

 

[1965]

My brother would still be alive had he not removed his stupid ROPs.

 

[tbzep]

It could have at least been designed to fold at the bottom instead of mid height so that it could be raised when working near the creek and lowered all other times. With it folded at head height the posts will sink in the ground and be useless anyway.

 

[Oldoak]

That's shade for my cattle. I'm doing it for the childre....I mean cows!

That doesn't mean you can't limb the trees to ROPS height. That would promote air circulation under the trees and make it more comfy for the cows.

That was my solution to the branches the vertical exhaust pipe was catching. I wasn't inferring to cut down the whole trees.

 

[Mad Mac]

I thought the ROP was there just to hold up the sunshade.
Have to have a sunshade or canopy here in Texas.
All four of our tractors have sunshades.

The vertical exhaust prevents getting under limbs anyway
except on our Deutz 4506 which has, uh... a Lake pipe.
That would be a real go getter.

 

[rekees4300]

That doesn't mean you can't limb the trees to ROPS height.

Ditto...it's a PITA to have those Cedar twigs dropping into the back of your shirt.

 

[ruffdog]

Can you make bolt on guides that help branches slide up over the rops? I made them for my New Holland tractor. They are held on with pins where the rops fold and are angled so branches slide up and over the rops.

 

[RickB]

It could have at least been designed to fold at the bottom instead of mid height so that it could be raised when working near the creek and lowered all other times. With it folded at head height the posts will sink in the ground and be useless anyway.

So it would either fold forward so it would impede getting on and off the tractor. Or fold rearward where it would interfere with implements. Not only am I going to get crushed in a rollover, the device that is designed to save me just kept me from having a chance to jump free. Excellent idea!

 

[JerryK]

You could mount multiple chainsaws around the ROPS perimeter .... That would allow you trim the offending branches at the edges of your property. Just be REAL careful leaning over to look at stuff.....

 

[Turbys_1700]

I leave for he ROPS up because of my sunshade/top. Don't mind it at all. I specifically looked for one for my 4610 SU. Don't know if it's older age, safety, experience, or whatever. My property has some steep areas and I just feel safer with the ROPS and seatbelt. Never turned a tractor over but stuff can happen so quickly. I figure it's the cheapest life insurance money can buy.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I apologise for my typos. Darn phone.