ROPS Program for Bolens Iseki

[NHmitch]

Hi,

I just thought that I would share a program if you were not aware of it with you guys. I just got a grant for ROPS, and I purchased them, and installed them on my G154. I know that this is a smaller tractor, but I was hauling firewood, out of my woods because we heat our farm 100% with wood here in New Hampshire, and I hit a rut, and my front wheels lifted in the air, even thought I had suitcase weights, and loaded tires on the front, and I almost flipped over backwards. It happened so fast that I could not get off if I tried. If it had landed on top of me, the tractor still weights over 1200 lbs, and it would have crushed me. The program is only available in PA, NY, VT, and NH but if you check with you states agriculture dept, a lot of states offer a similar program. I didn't think that I would ever need them on this tractor, and I have driven much larger tractors without ROPS installed, but now its like going on a roller coaster with the bar down. I feel much better. We use are tractor everyday on our farm, and even on a flat surface you can overturn. The link is Rollover Protective Structure ROPS Retrofit Program. If anyone wants a photo of the tractor with the ROPS installed, let me know and I will send you one. They allowed me to purchase the folding ROPS so I can drive under the barn, or in the under trees if I have to with the ROPS down.

Andrew

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

What percentage discount did you get?

 

[NHmitch]

They are actually paying for the entire cost and I had to pay about $100 for the shipping. I really was a great deal.

 

[Yandaddy1110]

Wow, just pay the shipping!

Im gonna check to see if there is a ROPS program here in Mn. I know an Iseki H1502 thats needs a rops.

 

[NHmitch]

The program says 70% of the ROPS, but that was how much they payed for mine. They try to cover as much as they can, usually the entire or most of the cost. I have been looking to see is there is a program in MN, and other states. You could try to call the ROPS program that I used. I know that they help you. The number is
Phone: (607) 547-6023 x231 or (877) 767-7748 x231

or http://ropsr4u.com/

If I can find a program for you, I will let you know. There is great information on memebrs LMTC's website, Little Miami Trading Company - Compact Tractors
He has the best prices I have seen so far.

 

[Yandaddy1110]

Hey thanks for the info Mitch, Ill dig into it it a little further.

Im a big fan of having a rops on these tractors, the guy with the H1504 iseki tipped his over the 1st day he owned it. I just recently bought a used rops from a john Deere commercial mower so that I can retro-fit it to my Yanmar 1110d.

ROPS is the only tool I know of you need only use once to pay for itself.

 

[NHmitch]

They really are a great piece of equipment as long as you use a seatbelt with them, if not they are actually more dangerous. I thought that it was really interesting that the rate of fatalities was almost none with tractor roll overs where a ROPS was installed, and the operator was belted in. That is a great statement about the ROPS being the only piece of equipment that pays for itself on the first use. I couldn't agree more. I hate seeing people driving their tractor with the ROPS half way down, or after they have taken the top part of of the ROPS because its easier to drive in their barn, or under trees. The ROPS I have fold in half, but I actually found that I don't have to fold them down when I park the tractor. I really like a quote that I found while I was looking for my ROPS, "Even with the smallest tractor sitting on your chest, your first breath will almost certainly be your last". - F.A. Ford. Below I also found some very interesting statics that inspired me to retrofit my tractor, and a close call. I am very glad to hear that you are putting ROPS on your Yanmar, and if I can help, I will keep looking.




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.

 

[JoeBuyer]

Where did you actually get the ROPS from? And where did it mount to? Thanks.

 

[NHmitch]

Hi,

I ordered the ROPS from justtractorparts. They are the main dealer for Hercules ROPS. That is the only brand that is currently still manufactured, and ISO certified in the US. I am extremely impressed with the ROPS and they really are built very well. To install them, you have to remove the top link bracket that is attached behind the seat. You then have to remove the PTO cover that fold down. The ROPS bolts on in the two holes behind the top link bracket, and in the 4 holes around the PTO. There is still plenty of room for the PTO. The top link then attaches to a bracket that is built into the ROPS. It is actually a very strong set up, and the ROPs fold down if you have to drive under trees, into a barn or garage. I actually don't have to fold mine down when I drive into my garage or under our barn. They come with a seat belt that attaches to the ROPS, and I was able to install the entire unit in about two hours by myself. I really do feel much safer driving the tractor with the ROPS installed. If you want more photos of the ROPS, or how they mount, I would be glad to send them to you. These are photos of my tractor with the ROPS mounted. I will take a picture of the mounting location and post it. I posted the link below.

Mitch

Roll Over Protection Structures / ROPS for Iseki & Bolens

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

Nice setup! :thumbsup: As much as I don't want to fork out nearly a grand for a ROPS (no rebate program here yet), it really is silly not to have one. Not only do I need to look out for myself, I have two sons coming up that I cannot even think of taking risks with when they begin driving them.

Keep taking good care of the tractor and treat it well, as it well return the favor to you for many years to come.

 

[NHmitch]

Thanks! I am working on re painting the tractor, and I just ordered new decals for it. It had been sitting outside for awhile when I bought it, so I have been restoring it, and it is about the most useful piece of equipment we have on our small farm. Below are some photos of how the ROPS mounts on the tractor. Excuse the grime, it needs a good cleaning. The underside is the last part that I am re-painting/restoring. I probably should gave done this part first. The ROPS were the most important piece of equipment I could have bought, and even if I did not have the ROPS program, I would have purchased them. It is a huge expense but you may be able to write it at the end of the year, and possible get reimbursed when they do get a ROPS program, or we ay still be able to find one that you qualify for. I kind of look at like my daughters child seat in the car, I wouldn't let her ride in the car with out it. We have a lot of hills in New Hampshire, but even on flat terrain, you can overturn, especially backwards, if you are towing or dragging something. I am glad to hear that you are interested in outfitting yours with ROPS. The main reason to go with the certified ROPS is that they have stress points, and they are designed to have some give in them when you roll over. I saw a bunch of articles, and photos of homemade ROPS that failed, and the operator was crushed, one case was a 14 year old. Anyways, I hope that this helps a bit! Take care,

Mitch

 

[JoeBuyer]

Very, very nice. I would never have guessed anyone would have made a ROPS for a tractor of this age. This and a wider stance are my top priorities for the Bolens. There isn't a grant package where I live but better safe than sorry. Besides, I really like this little tractor. It will take me a while to save up the money, but it will be worth it. The first time I nearly rolled it, it was on a simple ant hill under the right rear wheel that I didn't see while I was flail mowing in tall grass. The ants build them up to about 18" in height where I live and with this narrow and powerful of a tractor, you are at a tremendous angle in no time. Not to mention if I get too close to the slope near our creek, etc. Thanks for posting these pictures.

 

[creekbend]

I posted this info in another thread relating to ROPS. I thought that it might be useful here also. NCFB -

 

[NHmitch]

Joebuyer:

I hope that you can get the ROPS for your tractor, and I will keep looking for a program to help offset the cost. We had save for a while, and it was hard on on spending the money but I feel so much better now, and I even though I have been promised my check, I have not received anything yet. Still, even if I never get the money back, seeing my daughter grow up, will pay for it self over, and over again.It is very generous of the organizations who fund this, but why can't this be available everywhere? They started testing ROPS in the 60's. Has it not been long enough yet? We bail out the auto industry, and spend millions overseas, but helping keep people safe in a bad economy? Its really just a drop in the hat for the government. Anyways, I will continue to look for you guys, and I think that I am going to write congress, even though it may not do a whole lot, I will feel better than doing nothing in return. Anything I can do to help, please let me know. Take care!

Mitch

 

[Sideways]

NH, did you ever receive your check?
What is the part number for your Hercules ROP?

 

[NHmitch]

I did receive it quite some time ago. They actually usually get the funds right back to you if you do it at the right time of the year. I had done mine over the winter, when the funds were slower to arrive at NYCAMP. This is the link to the ROPS from the company that they had steered me towards. Roll Over Protection Structures / ROPS for Iseki & Bolens There are only two distributors in the US, and they were the less expensive option. Hope this helps a bit..are you thinking about making the purchase? I know that it has made me feel much safer, and I almost rolled the tractor a few weeks ago, and I was very thankful that I had installed the ROPS, because if I had, I know the outcome would have been very bad.

 

[Sideways]

Thanks NH!
Yes, I am seriously thinking about getting one and appreciate the link and info, we will be moving to PA in the near future so the ROPS program might be an alternative.

 

[freedomlives]

They really are a great piece of equipment as long as you use a seatbelt with them, if not they are actually more dangerous.

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.

I don't see how they can be more dangerous without a seatbelt. It is a seatbelt without a ROPS that is more dangerous as there's no chance then of jumping out or getting lucky thrown off the right way.