Re: I\'m Gonna Drill My Rops...
Henro,
I'm with you too.
Sometimes we choke on a gnat while trying to swallow an elephant. Everybody has their own set of safety sensitivities. I have my own. It's funny sometimes though when you hear other's concerns on a given topic, yet they do things you would personally consider much riskier.
If your response is "I wouldn't drill the ROPS due to personal safety concerns", how would you answer these questions:
1) Do you run your vehicle tires until nearly slick, or do you think safety and replace them well before they reach the 'legally worn out' stage? Do you buy average tires or the ones with the best traction (wet/dry/snow) and handling in their size class?
3) Does your vehicle have the highest safety rating in its class? Nobody here is going to go buy a Heritage F150 instead of the new model with its GREATLY improved safety just to save a few bucks, are you? You would never consider buying a convertable sports car due to no roll over protection, would you?
4) Do you ride an ATV through the woods or ride a motorcycle?
5) Do you drive more than a few miles over the speed limit?
6) Do you ALWAYS follow all the safety rules when working in the shop? ( not MOST, but ALL. It's those tiny short cuts that cause most of injuries)
7) How long did it take you to replace the brake light on your truck the last time one went out?
8) Do you smoke cigarettes? Are you significantly over weight? Are you in good physical shape?
See, all of these items probably carry a much higher injury potential than drilling a couple of small holes in the ROPS. I'm guilty as heck on several of the questions listed above (Except the one about tires...my personal pet peeve...I have NEVER gone over 45k on a set of tires...just my personal sensitivity).
To make a long story short...I have new lights for ROPS in the shop. Plan to install in next month or two. Yes, I will drill ROPS becasue I feel the risk is very minimal. That May be one of the least risky things I do that day (MOST dangerous is when driving down the highway to Hardware store for parts to make the light assembly).
Everything's relative. We always have to make judgement calls in everything we do because there's risk in everything we do. I wouldn't recommend anyone else drilling the ROPS, just stating that my personal prioritization of risks puts the ROPS well down the risk-list compared to other things I do.
Results may vary.
Have a safe evening!
roger
