Seat Belts & ROPS, again

Tdog · Jun 14, 2003

OK, I've done some reading in older threads about use of seat belts & rops. I am a new owner & can't keep the rops in place [upright] due to storage clearance as well as numerous low branches on trees. It is a pain to put up & remember to take down. That worried me, so I did some searches & seemed to come up with the rule that if your rops is not upright, then do not wear a seatbelt - - but if it is in place, you should wear the belt.

Here's my question - - I live on relatively flat land [SE La]. Are there any tasks or projects for which the rops & seatbelts must be used? Backhoe? FEL?

Thanks

MikePA · Jun 14, 2003

I live on relatively flat land [SE La]. Are there any tasks or projects for which the rops & seatbelts must be used? Backhoe? FEL? 

No offense, Tdog, but unless you can predict when you're going to have an accident, there's no way to forecast when to have the ROPS up and the seatbelt on. I have the same situation, i.e., can't fit the tractor in to the garage with the ROPS up and low hanging trees. At least twice I have tried backing into the garage with the ROPS up. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Even on flat ground, traveling along, minding your own business, hit a rut or something that upsets the equilibrium of the tractor and over you go. I was mowing along, at a slight angle to my left, everything was fine. The left wheel hit a slight depression, and the ground was soft. I'd been on this area 100s of times on my garden tractor. Problem was my TC25D weighs 4 times what the garden tractor weighs. The tractor suddenly tilted more to the left. Not enough to go over, but more than enough to get my attention! Add weight in the FEL, an implement on the back and, well... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I'll be honest, I do not always wear the seatbelt and have the ROPS up. However, any time I will be in the seat for a long time (> 15 minutes) such as cutting grass, mowing the field, FEL work, I have the ROPS up and the seat belt on.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 14, 2003

( Here's my question - - I live on relatively flat land [SE La]. Are there any tasks or projects for which the rops & seatbelts must be used? Backhoe? FEL? )

If you dig through the threads on TBN, you will find several instances of tractor operators getting into trouble with their FELs because of bucket overloading and/or inadequate weight on the rear of the machine. IIRC, some of these instances were initiated by something a simple as driving into a chuckhole while carrying a load. The operators were not always aware they were in or approaching an overload condition.

Personally, after reading these stories, I became a believer and always use ROPS and seat belt when operating the FEL (and doing just about anything else), flat ground or not.

Then there are the stories about someone who was mowing, hit a hole or something, and was thrown off the tractor only to be run over, or worse--go under the mower.

Frankly, I suspect the postings on this board have saved at least a few of us from damaging our machines and ourselves, which makes TBN and its habitues something I really appreciate.

SnowRidge

RoyJackson · Jun 14, 2003

My ROPS doesn't fold, so I strap my belt as soon as I start the engine. Reckon that gives it enough time for the oil to circulate.

I always use my belt with the occasional exception when I'm backing the tractor out of the garage. I know I'll be getting off for a few minutes while the machine warms up a bit. As stated...ocasional. I even belt then for the most part...ingrained behavoir, I suppose.

Any other time I'm on the tractor, the belt is secured.

MossRoad · Jun 16, 2003

Are there any tasks or projects for which the rops & seatbelts must be used? 

Yes. All of them /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Use it, use it, use it. Just my opinion. Be careful.

Phred · Jun 16, 2003

Hate to pile on but.....

This also most important if you have a loader. Not enough balast or to heavy a load and you can go over on even flat ground. Raise the bucket up to high even with a medium load and you can be on your side before you know it.

How heavy? How much ballast? How steep or level? Well thats the problem is it not? You can answer all of the above conclusively when you tip it over.

Take the time to use both the rops and the belt. Is the extra 5-10 minutes worth your life?

Fred

PondKeeper · Jun 16, 2003

I haven't been on my tractor that many hours yet but it only took a flash of a second when I felt unstable while at a crawl over some fill soil I laid while clearing a path to a compost area I made.

I miss clearing my garage by just one inch with the ROPS up so I was not putting them up that often either. NOT after that little pucker incident. Now the ROPS go up and the belt is clicked.

I went out and bought one of those dayglo styro noodles that kids use in the pool, they're about five foot long and three inches in diameter. I made a rope sling with an S hook in the middle. I drive the tractor out of the garage, park it while it warms up and I hang that offensive pink noodle from the door handle about eye high across my garage opening. It's a can't miss reminder for me to CHECK the ROPS.

Mike

markie61 · Jun 16, 2003

( Hate to pile on but..... )

By all means, pile on! It means we CARE!

( Is the extra 5-10 minutes worth your life? )

Also, I think you meant 5-10 seconds .

And, yes, it is worth it: ROPS up, seatbelt on! Like Nike says: Just do it!

Mark

Trev · Jun 16, 2003

I just close the garage door behind me when I take the tractor out. Then when I go to back in with the ROPS up, obviously I have to stop, get off, and that's enough to remind me to put the ROPS down. I plan to hang a sign which is at the right level to smack me in the head unless I duck.. then I can leave the door open. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

19th_VA · Jun 16, 2003

I have very hilly land--the only time I ever got into trouble was on a pretty flat part when dragging a big rock with my fel. As I turned, the cog was changed enough to bring her up on three wheels. Not too close a call but it illustrates that it does not take a hill or dip or bad ground to cause the tractor to become unstable.

Fix your garage, rig your rops, do whatever you have to but keep the darn thing on, along with your seat belt!