ROPS??

[ncnewbie]

OK i am new to the tractor business. Should I keep the ROPS folded down or put it up then fold it down when I take it into the building??

I have read on here too many times about people forgetting and hitting stuff with ROPS and damaging their tractor or buildings.

I do not work on a lot of hilly area....coastal NC....why keep it up?????

 

[crbr]

Mine is down, period.

All of my doors are 10' or more but I work around and under trees.

Down works for me.

 

[MOPAULY]

I keep mine up all the time unless I am mowing. However it also fits in my garage without folding so that is a plus.

 

[Bob_Young]

My situation is the same as crbr's; mine are either always down or, if possible, removed.

But tractoring experience comes into play here. You, being new to tractors, might want to put yours up while using your FEL or operating on uneven ground...at least until you develop a feel for what constitutes a stable condition and what does not.

I've operated tall, row-crop style Ag tractors without ROPS on rolling ground for decades. It doesn't take long to develop a feel for when you're pushing the envelope. Still the FEL adds another dimension to the problem. Raising the FEL, especially when there's a load in the bucket, raises the CG of the entire machine making it less stable. Therefore it's necessary to develop the habit of always keeping the FEL bucket as low as safely possible. While you're developing those habits, it's probably best to keep the ROPS up....and regard tree limbs and garage doors as mortal enemies.

FWIW
Bob

 

[chrisjbell]

Still the FEL adds another dimension to the problem. Raising the FEL, especially when there's a load in the bucket, raises the CG of the entire machine making it less stable.

I'll second that. It is amazing how easy it is to quickly get a tractor to go over when using the FEL. It doesn't take much weight, the bucket doesn't have to be all that high, and the ground can seem pretty level.

Other than that, on level ground it is pretty tough to roll a tractor.

 

[JerryG]

Keep this in mind. Tractors have been turned over many times on flat ground. A soft spot that wasn't there last week or when the loader is full and a little to high and then the steering is turned too sharp will make an accident happen. There are always accidents. No one intends for them to happen, but off times they do. What ever you do be careful and take as few chances as possible.