ROPS Modification and Lights

[escavader]

I wondered how they determined how high to build a rops,THANKS BOB.Gomer,I hate to be the one who says ,If you ever sell your tractor,lend your tractor,or let someone else operate your tractor[even on your property],and something happens,I would think you opened yourself up to a large law suit.They will overcome any argument you have,you did modify a safety device.In my opinion ,I think that lawyers might have a field day,with an accident,in which there was a modifyed safety device.That is why alot of us will not even weld light bracketts on,you have opened yourself up to LAWYERS,even if you dont own it no more.PARANOID?You can call me that,ive worked too hard ,to lose it all,because i had to put my rops up and down to get it inside.Of course now its done,it would be hard to convince you to replace it im sure.Im not a safety cop,i do things all the time,just had an opinion of what you could be up against here.
ALAN

 

[BlacknTan]

If it were not for the legal profession. ROPS and many other items could be modified safely without putting anyone at risk. Unfortunately, no one knows the lever of workmanship or the skill level involved in such modifications, so, everyone gets painted with the same brush, as an amateur.

I know welders that are probably superior to the guys or robots welding the ROPS together in the first place, but, it would count for nothing in a court of law. For that reason alone, I won't touch mine. In spite of the fact that I'm sure it could be modified safely.

BTW, my Kubota dealer informed me that the ROPS is good for three rolls. After that, all bets are off!

Blame it on our litigous society!

 

[Gomer]

All great points to be taken and I appreciate the feedback. Just supplying my humble opinion and solution to the problem. That is why I only modified the top piece as this can be purchased new as a replacement part if ever desired. Hey lawyers have to eat too!

 

[Casco1]

If it were not for the legal profession. ROPS and many other items could be modified safely without putting anyone at risk.
Blame it on our litigous society!

On the other hand if it wasn't for the legal proffession we might not have ROPS as well as many other safety items that save lives to begin with. It's all how you look at it.



I have a background in mechanical engineering and I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle of the lawsuit and the and the risk taker. The most important item in safety is COMMON SENSE. All designers can do is to build for the average user while acquiescing to the beancounters who insist on keeping the cost down. All we can do to stay safe is think before we act, work as intelligently as possible, stay focused and hope that when we do something dumb we survive with nothing more than a scare and a lesson. Just my two cents.

 

[Glowplug]

Hey lawyers have to eat too!

I always thought they ate their young.

 

[BlacknTan]

Casco,
You're right. We do need lawyers also. And the way things are today are as much the publics desire to make a fast buck as the lawyers they deal with. We all bear some blame.

BTW, a full roll cage would solve the problem. The rear part of the ROPS could be lower and the occupant would be MUCH safer. Depending on the welder's talents of course..

 

[escavader]

Im glad to see that we are all pretty much in agreement here on what could take place.That said black and tans COMMENT on a full roll cage might be something to consider.Since your such a good fabricator,GOMER, why not build a front roll bar the same height.Tie the two togeather, and possibly,turn it into a cab,or at least with a roof to keep you out of the weather?You would be safe,still fits in the garage,and even could keep you out of the rain and sun.Every one would be happy,and more importantly we wont be reading any BAD newspaper article on you,just your posts here on TBN
ALAN

 

[MikeD74T]

Gomer, Great looking modification, am planning to do the same on my DK45S. I also plan on keeping my tractor upright and to still own it when I die. Lawyers be damned !!! They'll have one hard time proving my family knows about any mods. MikeD74T

 

[radair]

...BTW, my Kubota dealer informed me that the ROPS is good for three rolls. After that, all bets are off!

As a structural engineer, I feel that the dealer's statement is a bunch of bull. The ROPS might be significantly damaged after one roll or undamaged after 10.

If one rolls their tractor over, they should thoroughly inspect the ROPS (or have it done for them). If they're rolling their tractor 3 times, they might want to reconsider their operating technique!

 

[LBrown59]

Hey lawyers have to eat too!

But not my lunch.