Line of ROPless tractors!

markct · Jun 7, 2004

i could be wrong, but i am pretty sure i read somewheres that rops was required on tractors of more than 20 hp and weighing over 2,000 lbs which would explain why few subcompacts, and virtualy no lawn tractors, have rops

MossRoad · Jun 7, 2004

Weight and HP could be a reason.

I know I've heard of several folks being killed in lawn tractor roll overs, too. Most that I recall seem to involve a ditch. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

SnowRidge · Jun 7, 2004

Out of curiosity, I did a web search on ROPS. There were a lot of hits.

It's pretty clear that it is a fairly complex regulatory area, with rules being specified for lots of different machinery. Most of it seems to come from OSHA and refers to a couple of different SAE standards. That isn't surprising, since regulation by reference is a common federal practice.

I found the following on a Kansas State Univerisity page:

1. All two- or four-wheel drive type vehicles, or track vehicles of more than 20 hp engines that are designed to furnish the power to pull, carry, propel, or drive agricultural implements must be equipped with ROPS. Older vehicles not having ROPS should be retrofitted when operated in conditions where roll-over potential is high. Self-propelled implements are excluded.

In the above statement, must had been lined through and replaced with should. I don't know why.

I tried searching the OSHA web site, but gave up when it asked for a user name and password. I'm not sure if it was due to server misconfiguration, or that I wandered into an area that isn't open to the public.

SnowRidge

MossRoad · Jun 7, 2004

I had similar result in my searches on this subject last year. I recall reading something about ROPS being a MUST when you let employees use it, too. It was clear as mud.

KiotiJohn · Jun 8, 2004

( I had similar result in my searches on this subject last year. I recall reading something about ROPS being a MUST when you let employees use it, too. It was clear as mud. )
I can't remember where, but I read that also. Without ROPS, an owner may use the equipement, but no employees without ROPS. I do understand that only new equipment, or equipment that originally was required to have ROPS must have them, thus the gray markets are not required unless being operated by an employee. John

markie61 · Jun 8, 2004

( I guess they figure since its so small it wont roll over. not true. )

Agreed. About 10-12 years ago, a woman was killed in my small town driving (actually trying to drive) a lawn tractor up an improvised ramp into the back of a truck. Something happenend and it fell with her ending up under it. I guess 600lbs can kill you as easily as 6000 lbs /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.

Mark

Soundguy · Jun 8, 2004

( with no ROPS but no 25HP tractors without. )

I may be mistaken.. But I think I've seen 25hp lawnmowers at TSC.. no rops.. and heck.. ZTR's can be huge..

I've also seen a big hybred lawnmower tractor thing.. I believe made by snapper? had a cat 0 lift.. belly mower.. and perhaps a front blade. Was a gas engine.. looked like a sub-CUT in every way. In fact.. was actually bigger than some of the super small kubotas I've seen ( BX series? )

Weird....

Maybee the fact that it has an attatched ( more or less permanently affixed ) belly mower.. makes these big lawnmowers and ZTR's a self propelled implement?

Soundguy

SnowRidge · Jun 8, 2004

(Maybee the fact that it has an attatched ( more or less permanently affixed ) belly mower.. makes these big lawnmowers and ZTR's a self propelled implement?) 

I think that if it has 20HP or more, the defining requirement is whether or not the machine is intended for agricultural use. If yes, then it gets a ROPS, if no, then it's not required.

For example, Power Trac sells an over 20HP machine without a ROPS that is nearly identical to their ROPS equipped PT-425. The big difference is Power Trac's adamant stance that is for "homeowner only" use.

SnowRidge

AndyM · Jun 8, 2004

For example, Power Trac sells an over 20HP machine without a ROPS that is nearly identical to their ROPS equipped PT-425. The big difference is Power Trac's adamant stance that is for "homeowner only" use. 

I don't understand why "homeowner only" use would be a factor whether it gets a ROPS or not.
"Homeowners" don't experience rollovers? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

As another interesting sidenote, I've got a New Holland TC18 with a 18hp engine. I've been in situations where I feel tippy, and I'm glad that I've got my seat belt and ROPS in those situations. On the Ford 8N with no ROPS, I've been in situations that were fives times worse, and NEVER have had a feeling that I was ever remotely close to rolling over, so size of the tractor and whether it's used by farmers or homeowners doesn't really matter.

SnowRidge · Jun 8, 2004

(I don't understand why "homeowner only" use would be a factor whether it gets a ROPS or not.) 

"Homeowner only" defines it as non-agricultural and non-commercial, so they can legally sell it without a ROPS. OSHA has no jurisdiction over homeowners. That's the bailiwick of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

("Homeowners" don't experience rollovers?) 

Sure they do, but the CPSC apparently doesn't care--and there would probably be cries of "excess regulation" if they did. So market forces dictate no ROPS because that lowers the price. They are available as an option, though.

SnowRidge