ROPS and my apple trees

[artf]

There is a Kubota BX model in the series that has a folding ROPS. I believe it's the model with the backhoe. If this is a huge problem, then I'd acquire the folding ROPS and install them.

The model BX22 TLB had the folding ROPS. The backhoe is detachable.

Under no circumstances would I modify the ROPs or remove them. I have added lights to the ROPS without drilling them.

The attached file depicts a BX25 with folding ROPS

 

[xunit13]

Get a cheap used zero turn mower to do under the trees. Don't chop up good fruit trees.

 

[arto98607]

This can get under most of my fruit trees pretty easy.

 

[CobyRupert]

This threads reminds me of picking up my lawn mower tractor from the dealer two days ago after getting some service work.
He gave me the lecture about how I shouldn’t have bypass the seat switch, that doing so is VERY DANGEROUS, and that they plugged it back in.
They then left me to load it on my (tall) trailer that requires driving it up some steep loading ramps.
According to them, it’s somehow much safer that I’m forced to sit on the tractor while driving up the steep ramp instead of what I did: I immediately unplugged the switch in the dealer’s yard and reinstalled my jumper. I then operated the tractor by hand controls standing to the side (and gently pushing from back when the wheels spun). It was MUCH SAFER with the safety switch removed.

If I had sat in the seat as required by the switch (and TBN’s Safety Police) :

1) It gives the rear wheels more traction and makes the tractor WAY more likely to flip over backwards instead of tires spinning.

2) If the tractor had flip backwards, now it falls down on the driver (who is bent over in a backwards roll) after falling back off the seat and snaps his neck.

Could my family then sue them for reinstalling the seat switch and creating a dangerous condition? It’s exactly what they did.

Seat switches are dangerous! ......sometimes.
Not having a seat switch is dangerous! ......sometimes.

Contradictions, yet both are true.
Same with ROPS.
Use your brain.

 

[aczlan]

Perhaps you need to try backing up the ramp, finding a better place to load where you're backed up to a slope/curb, investing in better ramps so that you're not going up as steep of a slope, or use a hitch with more rise to bring the tongue of the trailer up (probably the easiest if it's a single axle trailer).
It sounds like it's a lawn mower so it's not likely you to kill you if it runs over you (as long as the mower is off), but that is a common occurrence with bigger tractors if they are started from the ground.

As for your family suing them for creating a dangerous condition, I don't think that they're going to be able to win a suit for the dealer returning the machine to factory condition.
They might be able to win one if the dealer left it alone, you fell off and got run over.
What you are calling a dangerous condition for driving up the ramps would likely be argued as a case of inadequate equipment on your trailer.


Aaron Z

 

[CobyRupert]

Nope, no need to to find better ramps, invest in a different trailer, or try to find sloped ground (there wasn’t any).
Why would I do that? Everything works fine.
IT WAS MUCH MORE SAFER, and simple, to move the hand lever and have the unoccupied tractor drive itself up as I stand safely to the side. As simple and as safe as a walk behind mower would.

Requiring that a person to be in the seat made for a much more dangerous situation.
I made it much more safe by disabling the switch (period).
MY safety doesn’t give a **** what the factory did (or didn’t) include.
It was my neck on the line and someone’s stupid blind conformity to “factory conditions” or “you’ll void your warranty” created a more dangerous condition.

 

[aczlan]

You're going to do what you're going to do.
They likely have requirements from the equipment manufacturer and their liability insurance carrier.
The whole reason for the safety switch is from people falling off of the mower and getting run over (or getting some part of their body run over by the mower) and then suing the manufacturer.
If they restore it back to the original condition and warn you about it, they have no liability if you change it back and then run over your foot with the mower deck on.

If they fail to restore it back the original condition (or at least make a note on your bill that the seat switch was bypassed and the owner declined to have it repaired) in theory they could be sued for negligence if you were to fall off the mower and remove your foot with the mower deck.

They are correct in that if they could prove that a failure was caused by your having bypassed the seat safety switch they could deny warranty coverage for that.

Aaron Z

 

[CobyRupert]

Oh, I don’t disagree with you, I’m just pointing out how idiotic it is that they are required to be a nanny, blindly conforming to a one-size-fits-all mandate, away from MY specific safety requirements. They made unapproved and unrequested safety modifications to MY equipment (doesn’t that open them to liability?), while giving me a lecture on “this is for your own safety”; and the reality was they made it LESS SAFE for me.
Kind of ironic don’t ya think?

 

[MossRoad]

Oh, I don’t disagree with you, I’m just pointing out how idiotic it is that they are required to be a nanny, blindly conforming to a one-size-fits-all mandate, away from MY specific safety requirements. They made unapproved and unrequested safety modifications to MY equipment (doesn’t that open them to liability?), while giving me a lecture on “this is for your own safety”; and the reality was they made it LESS SAFE for me.
Kind of ironic don’t ya think?

On that note, when you dropped it off did you tell them you disabled a safety switch?

 

[CobyRupert]

On that note, when you dropped it off did you tell them you disabled a safety switch?

No, it was of no concern to them. They didn’t drive my tractor, they unloaded it and moved it into the shop with a forklift.
If they had to drive it, I’m sure their “insurance requirements” would require them to inspect it beforehand. If they had any concerns they could ask me before making unsolicited and unapproved changes to safety devices on MY equipment.

My point is: Rules are so people don’t have to think. Or, perhaps they do think and come to the wrong conclusion. (that is, if everybody came to the correct conclusion, rules would never be invented). Same with ROPS or safety switches. Most of time they benefit mankind because there are so many people that don’t act correctly (often myself included).
....but often rules (and safety restrictions) aren’t nuanced; they don’t account for exceptions or situations where they shouldn’t be applied or make the situation worse. ....also like ROPS and seat switches.
That is what your brain is for.