Thanks and yes you are correct; this is part of the problem - the cost is $480. That is absolutely nothing in relation to a life - I'm just so thight on money right now I can't afford that. Becuase of that I am limiting their use to completely flat terrain, which, unfortunatley I don't have much of. Being very safety conscious, I would feel much better if it was equiped with a ROPS for me as well. This is the only tractor I have and I have had it less than a week.