ROPS Modification and Lights

[WayneB]

Interesting stuff! I take it that she would be much safer on the Kubota as the ROPS is much higher.............think Orange

 

[ozzie tractor]

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

i have seen a 90hp fiat with the rops flattened to the top of the loader uprights. 3 rolls? not quiet, one big one, end first. they are not indestructable and depending on how things come down may not survive one roll. the best solution is to keep the machine rubber side down

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I take it that she would be much safer on the Kubota as the ROPS is much higher

Wayne, the height of the ROPS is a function of several factors. Even the placement and angle of ROPS can determine the height of the ROPS bar that is needed. It would probably be a mistake to assume that a higher ROPS bar automatically makes the tractor safer.

Consider the width of the ROPS bar . . . a wider ROPS bar, or a ROPS bar with a hard corner like a JD 790, might make a full roll over less likely than a ROPS bar with curved corners.

In the case of a ROPS bar that was cut down by 10", consider that if the tractor tips the shortened ROPS bar will not break momentium so a full inverted rollover may be more likely than if the ROPS bar was longer and able to stop the roll at a simple tip over.

I also plan on keeping my tractor upright

I think everyone PLANS to do that. The thing that has amazed me over the years is that I've gone up on 2 wheels more often on flat ground than on my slopes. When using something that engages the ground, it is amazing how fast the tractor can begin to tip. We are all aware of safety when working on slopes, near ditches, etc. but a tractor can be tipped over in the middle of a flat field, or on a flat driveway.

 

[Glowplug]

. . . the best solution is to keep the machine rubber side down

Thank you very much Professor Obvious!

I also plan on keeping my tractor upright and to still own it when I die.

You can own it and still be under it!

I wonder if the original poster knew he would get smacked so hard by the safety police. Should have put it in the safety forum.

Sorry, just had to join in on the "fun".

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I wonder if the original poster knew he would get smacked so hard by the safety police.

Just for the record, I'm not trying to be a safety cop. I'm just trying to discuss the concept of the ROPS bar as part of a larger system and how the whole thing works, why it works, and what the effects of a change may be. Further, just trying to inject a little objective discussion about the facts that accidents do happen, despite our intentions and precautions.

It si one thing to have an opinion on if something is safe, but when you have the facts on how a ROPS system is designed it becomes obvious that some things are simply not safe in a rollover. So all that leaves is the question of IF there will ever be a roll. Frankly, the odds are against it. But if it happens, it is likely to be fatal, let's not kid ourselves about that.

 

[Gomer]

Oh yea, gave everone something to do for a couple of days.

 

[WayneB]

Bob, I must say my first posting was done mainly joking, and I did not read all of the earlier postings regarding the subject. Sorry for that.

I do take ROPS systems as important issues and from time to time have found myself with one rear tire off the ground and wondering if it will go over on me. So far I can say I have always been back on all four with no problem.

With me it was a case of living in the country with very poor outside lighting and knowing that when we have a heavy snow storm I am forced to go out and do some plowing during the storm even if it is at night. The standard lights on the tractor are not good enough for working at night.

I have added lights that shine above the FEL and work great! Right or wrong the lights are there and will stay there. It certainly has made driving at night safer.

Regards,

Wayne

 

[Glowplug]

So all that leaves is the question of IF there will ever be a roll. Frankly, the odds are against it. But if it happens, it is likely to be fatal, let's not kid ourselves about that.

ROPS are like insurance policies. Chances are we won't need them. But if we do we're glad we had them.

I am a firm believer in ROPS. In my days on trauma surgery I saw too many probably preventable rollover deaths. In almost all cases it was an older farmer with an older tractor without a ROPS. And most of the time he wasn't doing anything drastic; just minding his business and tractoring as he had for decades.

 

[Glowplug]

the best solution is to keep the machine rubber side down

I'll bet that's what each of the 250 Americans who die in tractor roll-overs each year were thinking too.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

The most important item in safety is COMMON SENSE.

Casco, I'm not picking on your statement but I think that most people would belive a few things about tractors. First and foremost is that if they follow common sense then they will likely be safe. Second is that accidents happen to "other people."

While I freely admit that rolling a tractor is not common, it is far more common than most people think.

• National data suggests that 1 of every 10 tractor operators overturns a tractor in his or her lifetime.
• Tractors in the Northeast states have the highest rate of overturn deaths and the lowest percentage of tractors with ROPS.
• The use of ROPS and a seat belt is estimated to be 99% effective in preventing death or serious injury in the event of a tractor rollover.