You should think about the ROPS because you can flip on flat ground very easy, and about half of all rollovers happen on flat land. below are some very good statistics. I know it is a huge expense, but its kind of like going on a roller coaster without a safety bar. You may never fall out, but when you do, you can't stop it, and you may not survive it. Sorry to preach about this, but I have always felt strongly about this safety feature. I had two very close calls on flat terrain, and I was very lucky to walk away. I could not have jumped off, or done anything to stop it. Anyways, hopefully the links I posted will help you a bit with restoring the tractor inexpensively if you want to. It is amazing what a little can of paint will do.
Mitch
Very good Video:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkddGepbKr8]Tractor Rollovers - YouTube[/ame]
Rollover Facts
Each year 4 out of every 100,000 American workers die on the job.
The fatality rate for farmers is 800% higher than all American workers.
The tractor is the leading cause of death on a farm.
The most frequent cause of tractor related deaths are side and rear overturns.
Farmers in the Northeast experience the highest rates of overturn death.
80% of deaths caused by rollovers happen to experienced farmers.
1 in 7 farmers involved in tractor overturns are permanently disabled.
7 out of 10 farms will go out of business within a year of a tractor overturn fatality.
ROPS are 99% effective in preventing injury or death in the event of an overturn when used with a seatbelt.
ROPS remain 70% effective without the use of a seatbelt.
