I need to get a roll-over bar, but...

[LMTC]

I always run my tractor with ROPS in the up position & seat belt on !

You are correct....it cannot be used in the folded position. It folds simply to allow the tractor to be stored in a building where the full ROPS might not clear. It only does it's job when locked in the upright position.

 

[Tractors4u]

I'm not sure I want to strap myself to the tractor, my thinking being that I could jump in time if it rolled sideways - which is probably my most likely accident scenario. Really don't think I'll roll it backwards.

Any thoughts? Are you comfortable using a seat belt with the rops?

My question is, why would you feel uncomfortable using the seatbelt with the ROPS?

On level ground with the tractor non running, try a "roll-over drill". We do this in the Army with Hummers. Get on the tractor and just sit there, again with the engine off, have someone yell roll-over. See how long it takes you to get off. Try it again, exit off of the other side. Move the shifter around, 1st gear, 4th gear. See if a shoe string hangs anywhere. Try to imagine if the tractor is leaning over and your weight has shifted whether you can use the same push off points as you did when the tractor was stationary. A couple of things to remember also. In a roll-over you need to go over the high side of the tractor. Do you really want to jump off in the direction it is rolling? The other thing is, when the tractor starts to roll it will get on 2 side wheels and when you let go of the steering wheel doing your dismount there will be nothing to keep that single front wheel straight. The tractor may make a quick turn before it completes it's roll-over. It isn't quite as simple as just jumping off.

 

[Tractors4u]

LMTC, are you aware of anyone being unfortunate enough to put one of your rops to the test? Is the fold down feature easy to use?

Wayne can correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that in the development of these ROPS, they were tested mounted to the respective model tractors.

No people on the tractors, but they tested them on tractors.

 

[HGM]

These guys are totally correct, you (me too, I'm a bit hard headed too) are kidding yourself if you think you'd be able to get out quick enough.. My thoughts(I will get one sooner or later) are that I will still get the ROPS whether I intend to wear the seatbelt all the time or not(it should be worn) as it is still better off with the roll protection than without, they allow a considerible amount more room for you to survive if the tractor was to end up on top of you.. The thought scares me, but I am very cautious and aware of it(though I know its dumb) and havent got one myself yet.. Now, another thing to think about that I have heard here, filling the tires would also help keep the tractor attached to the ground, by lowering the center of gravity, I plan to do that too, though the thought of weights on the wheels is tempting.. Back to the seatbelt thing, even in a car with an airbag, we recomend that the seatbelt be worn to make sure you are where your supposed to be when it goes off.. Otherwise it could be useless..

 

[LMTC]

.. Now, another thing to think about that I have heard here, filling the tires would also help keep the tractor attached to the ground, by lowering the center of gravity, I plan to do that too, though the thought of weights on the wheels is tempting....

I have heard and read this issue argued/debated many times. If properly filled (which ends up being something like 85% of capacity) you do end up with SLIGHTLY more fluid below the axle than above, but---you have the issue of the fluid momentum in the tire casing, which would be a force in whatever direction the tractor was moving. If it was forward, that momentum could conceivably contribute to a side rollover if the lower front wheel dropped down (as in a hole, etc.). Depends also on a given tractor's true center of gravity.

I am not an engineer, and have never actually seen a diagram of all the force vectors involved. I would think the configuration of the individual tractor would play a role as well. For me, I just decided long ago that fluid in tires is great for traction, and neutral in terms of the rollover issue.

 

[HGM]

I have heard and read this issue argued/debated many times. If properly filled (which ends up being something like 85% of capacity) you do end up with SLIGHTLY more fluid below the axle than above, but---you have the issue of the fluid momentum in the tire casing, which would be a force in whatever direction the tractor was moving. If it was forward, that momentum could conceivably contribute to a side rollover if the lower front wheel dropped down (as in a hole, etc.). Depends also on a given tractor's true center of gravity.

I am not an engineer, and have never actually seen a diagram of all the force vectors involved. I would think the configuration of the individual tractor would play a role as well. For me, I just decided long ago that fluid in tires is great for traction, and neutral in terms of the rollover issue.

Good point.... I was under the impression that with at least an 85% fill, the slosh factor would be minimal, but I can see your point too..

 

[piddling]

Tractors4U, I probably couldn't practice my "exit" because a simulation wouldn't have me pumped up with adrenelin like the real thing. I stopped the tractor in middle of field other day and gave this some thought: my idea was to pretty well duplicate what a frog would do with a racoon hot on his rear end....jump, jump, jump. The plan,as envisioned, was to make the leap when the tractor is beginning its roll, say 45 degrees. That way I can just jump straight up and be propelled to the side (downhill side!). That would pretty much eliminate fussing with the gearshift, brakes, clutch, etc., and other assorted stuff down there that could hinder my departure. I figure I'll suffer either a broken collar bone or leg in the jump, and will then continue limping, or crawling off (depending on what's broken) at a very accelerated rate in case the tractor decides to do a double roll and come after me, maybe rotary cutter first! Who said the tractor will only roll once? A multiple roll is very possible on this piece of property.

That was my plan around which I would save $639 bucks.

Yesterday I spent that money. My ROPS will be here about Tuesday and I'm just going to have to get used to the seat belt.

 

[LMTC]

Tractors4U, I probably couldn't practice my "exit" because a simulation wouldn't have me pumped up with adrenelin like the real thing. I stopped the tractor in middle of field other day and gave this some thought: my idea was to pretty well duplicate what a frog would do with a racoon hot on his rear end....jump, jump, jump. The plan,as envisioned, was to make the leap when the tractor is beginning its roll, say 45 degrees. That way I can just jump straight up and be propelled to the side (downhill side!). That would pretty much eliminate fussing with the gearshift, brakes, clutch, etc., and other assorted stuff down there that could hinder my departure. I figure I'll suffer either a broken collar bone or leg in the jump, and will then continue limping, or crawling off (depending on what's broken) at a very accelerated rate in case the tractor decides to do a double roll and come after me, maybe rotary cutter first! Who said the tractor will only roll once? A multiple roll is very possible on this piece of property.

That was my plan around which I would save $639 bucks.

Yesterday I spent that money. My ROPS will be here about Tuesday and I'm just going to have to get used to the seat belt.

Thanks for a good summation on your thinking and decision making process. I find the seat belt an aggravation just to remember it, but I try; in my case it is a no-brainer....I couldn't jump clear if I had springs on the bottoms of my shoes. Just too big, too eaten up with arthritis, etc.

I understand your position....it's a lot of money on what is really an unlikely "what-if." The other side of the coin is that the very likely potential consequences if the "what-if" actually happens start at minor injury and go quickly downhill from there. Congrats on thinking it through, and thanks for the purchase. I hope the new ROPS and your tractor give you many years of satisfying and safe use.

 

[Soundguy]

Money well spent. I'd be afraid to jump on the downhill side, as I'd expect the tractor to roll farther than i could jump, and faster too.

soundguy

Tractors4U, I probably couldn't practice my "exit" because a simulation wouldn't have me pumped up with adrenelin like the real thing. I stopped the tractor in middle of field other day and gave this some thought: my idea was to pretty well duplicate what a frog would do with a racoon hot on his rear end....jump, jump, jump. The plan,as envisioned, was to make the leap when the tractor is beginning its roll, say 45 degrees. That way I can just jump straight up and be propelled to the side (downhill side!). That would pretty much eliminate fussing with the gearshift, brakes, clutch, etc., and other assorted stuff down there that could hinder my departure. I figure I'll suffer either a broken collar bone or leg in the jump, and will then continue limping, or crawling off (depending on what's broken) at a very accelerated rate in case the tractor decides to do a double roll and come after me, maybe rotary cutter first! Who said the tractor will only roll once? A multiple roll is very possible on this piece of property.

That was my plan around which I would save $639 bucks.

Yesterday I spent that money. My ROPS will be here about Tuesday and I'm just going to have to get used to the seat belt.

 

[Tom_Veatch]

Piddling, looks like we both spent about the same amount at about the same time for about the same purpose. I spend more than that every year for automobile insurance, most of which is to protect the other guy.

The $659 I spent to protect me and mine is MUCH less than you'd have to pay me to attempt an exit from the tractor in a real roll-over, much less deal with the aftereffects of such an incident. Cheap insurance!