Low garage door, tall ROPS

[hillbilly rick]

I like the idea, but $169 is pretty steep. If it was under $100, I probably would have bought one. And this is from someone who has had to replace a garage door because I forgot to put the ROPS down. I do like the rag idea.

 

[karlsowa]

Karl:

Thanks for taking an interest in a possible "off label" (pharmaceutical term) use of your company's product.

Please forgive me if you know these terms. ROPS = Roll Over Protection Structure. A folding (tilting) ROPS is just that, a ROPS with a hinged joint in the middle to allow folding the ROPS down in cases where clearance is an issue (e.g. garage doors, low branches in forests, etc).

In the photo at this link https://picasaweb.google.com/110106108324823291002/BambiThumper#5082045505164391986 you can make out the hinge points just above the flashing lights mounted on the ROPS. With my canopy, folding the ROPS is no longer an option.

ha, I didn't know what ROPS was until we saw the initial posting, but I figured it out thanks to a wiki article. It's interesting that tractor drivers have the same forget-it's-up-there issue as car drivers carrying gear on the roof. I guess the damage could be as pricey for tractors/garages as it is when serious cyclists trash their $5-10K bikes. Do you think the tractor market is big enough to justify us creating a gear tag version with a tilt switch that would work for tilting ROPS, or if farmers would see it as worth ~$170 to avoid the issue?

 

[rsewill]

Most would not buy one because they would think it too expensive, until right after they pay to replace a door, etc.

 

[Redneck in training]

ha, I didn't know what ROPS was until we saw the initial posting, but I figured it out thanks to a wiki article. It's interesting that tractor drivers have the same forget-it's-up-there issue as car drivers carrying gear on the roof. I guess the damage could be as pricey for tractors/garages as it is when serious cyclists trash their $5-10K bikes. Do you think the tractor market is big enough to justify us creating a gear tag version with a tilt switch that would work for tilting ROPS, or if farmers would see it as worth ~$170 to avoid the issue?

The real farmers have no issues with the ROPs. It is the hobby farmers, acreage dwellers etc. who own smaller tractors that are just few inches too tall to fit in the garage with the ROPs up. The tag would have to have internal position switch to deactivate it when the ROPs are folded. Another thing to consider is the tag placement for protection against in ex. branches that can rub on the ROPs in woods.

I got lucky in that regard. When my garage was built the contractor made the opening 5" taller by measuring it from wrong elevation. Instead of redoing it I told them to leave it as is and added 6" extension on the top leaf. My tractor can squeeze in with about 2" left.

 

[karlsowa]

good to know, thanks guys.

 

[Combustix]

Painted on orange strip on the side of the door where the tractor clears with the rops up. Everytime I go to use the tractor I make sure the door is above the line. figured this out after I hit the door the first time.

 

[mjncad]

It's interesting that tractor drivers have the same forget-it's-up-there issue as car drivers carrying gear on the roof. I guess the damage could be as pricey for tractors/garages as it is when serious cyclists trash their $5-10K bikes. Do you think the tractor market is big enough to justify us creating a gear tag version with a tilt switch that would work for tilting ROPS, or if farmers would see it as worth ~$170 to avoid the issue?

Whether the market is large enough for you to justify making a tag specific to folding ROPS equipped tractors is something I have no idea about.

However; the typical CUT (Compact Utility Tractor) owner ranges the gamut from very frugal using tape, string, signs, etc to remind them to fold the ROPS to the kind that likes high tech stuff on their rigs. Personally I lean towards the latter.

In my case, before I got my canopy, I had a couple of close calls when putting Bambi to bed as that is when I was tired and more prone to mistakes. Once I got my canopy, I raised my garage doors 18" by adding an extra panel to the doors and the clearance issue became a moot point for me.

 

[relmeks]

I knew I would eventually do it...tonight was the night. Don't normally have the ROPS up ob my tractor, but I had it up today to help move my kids portable basketball hoop. Luckily I was driving slow and heard crunching and popping sounds before any permanent damage was done. I was (still am a little) pissed. Luckily, nothing seems to be damaged.

I really do need some type of reminder to check the ROPS before I pull into the garage...or I need a new pole barn with taller doors ;-)

SK