ROPS + No Seat Belt = Fatality

TMcD_in_MI · Dec 10, 2005

A 19 year old was killed at a local golf course last summer when the mower he was operating rolled over and trapped him under the ROPS. If he'd been wearing a seat belt, he might have walked away, but apparently the mower had no seat belt. It was not included by the manufacturer.

The local paper just announced that the victim's parents are suing the manufacturer, and extremely well known company who may end up paying DEARLY for their decision to not include a belt.

Tom

RoyJackson · Dec 10, 2005

I'm not big on lawsuits, but in this case, it seems quite justified.

I cannot believe the manufacturer installed a ROPS with no seat belt!

KAB · Dec 10, 2005

Here is the article.

And the article for the accident.

Kurt

Farmwithjunk · Dec 10, 2005

As is usually the case, the opinions stated in the article reflect one side of the story. I'm interested in knowing John Deere's side. I haven't seen ANY OEM ROPS-equipped tractors or mowers from them WITHOUT a saftey belt. Sometimes seat belts are removed by mechanics or operators. On some occasions, ROPS structures are added by owners to satisfy insurance companies. There's a possibility that is the case.

IF the belt was left off by Deere, they have a big pay-out coming their way. If it WAS there at one point, someone else is going to be the target.

RoyJackson · Dec 10, 2005

"I'm interested in knowing John Deere's side. I haven't seen ANY OEM ROPS-equipped tractors or mowers from them WITHOUT a safety belt."

I'm also interested in reading Deere's side.
However, i just read through the mower manual...although it discusses tipping hazards and shows the roll over bar, there's not a word about seat belts, and the pictures of the machine show no seat belt on the operator.

yellowsocks93 · Dec 27, 2005

I worked at a golf course over the summer and the Toro Workman utility vehicles we had used daily ( like a JD pro gator), had a ROPS with no seat belt only hand guards to hang onto in case of roll over. The golf course did not modifiy them in anyway came standard with no belt. I thought it was weird when I was lookin for a belt and could not find one only instruction on how to hold the grab bar.