Thank God for ROPS

hazmat · Aug 25, 2004

glad you are OK. You got lucky - the tree fell from the right angle and the ROPS kept it off your head.

If you are doing lots of work in the woods (especially around dead trees) you may want to consider a FOPS - Falling Object Protection System - not ROPS - Roll Over Protection System.

See picture of FOPS here TBN JD 110 article

Henro · Aug 25, 2004

Wow! Glad you are OK! That was CLOSE!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Kevin, I doubt the "head guard" I built for my tractor would have stopped that tree (did not use heavy enough tubing) but it was fear of branches falling off standing dead that drove me to build it. Thought You might me interested in seeing it.

A hard hat is great, but after wearing one for decades I know it will not do much to protect one's neck if a heavy branch falls on one's head.

I ended up fabricating something using square tubing and expanded metal. I have no need to fold my rops, and it does not get in my way at all working around trees, so it is there to stay.

Here is the thread I posted a while back,..

There are some photos at the end of the thread showing it completed.

I've attached a photo to give some idea of what I am talking about.

Man that is a scary picture! I've heard trees fall on windless days in the woods when there was no reason...you just never know...

PineRidge · Aug 25, 2004

Glad that you weren't hurt. I'm sure you know that it could have been a lot worse.

I have a friend that was clearing some of his property. He had cut down a large tree and rather than cut it up in place decided to use his JD to drag it over to the cut pile to make his chore easier.

He was dragging that big tree out when the top of the tree he was dragging pulled over another large dead tree and it landed on the JD and him and he had very little warning to jump clear. It involved a few broken bones and cracked ribs not to mention serious tractor damage. But again it could have been much worse if you know what I mean.

bandit67 · Aug 25, 2004

Thanks for the post and the pics. This kind of info is always good to keep in the back of your mind - I'm always appreciative of the sharing of these types of incidents here on TBN. They help to insure that I'm a whole lot more aware of what I'm doing and what is going on around me, and I'm sure this sharing of info has kept me out of a few binds. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Glad you're ok - that was close. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

fishman · Aug 25, 2004

That is one scary picture. Glad you're ok.

I second Deerlope's suggestion for a hard hat. In fact, I'd go one step further and suggest a hard hat/face screen/earmuff combination. I wear one all the time and it has saved me a lot of grief, mainly from small limbs snapping back in my face.

About ten years ago I had a MUCH smaller limb fall on me while wood cutting. It resulted in temporary unconsciousness, a bad cut on my head, broken teeth, and a partially severed tongue. I don't know how much better I would have had it with a hard hat, but I wear one now.

cattoon · Aug 25, 2004

I don't post very often, but I visit frequently. And this post kinda struck a chord with me. After a little run in with the chainsaw this spring, Chainsaw won, needed a couple of stitches to the knee but didn't go get them, My wife insisted on chainsaw chaps and a helmet, and I listened. Thought about just lost work time if I really got hurt. I use the helmet for weedeating, using the saw, and it is amazing how many times I've got bumped while wearing it, not to mention the assorted rocks and sticks the shield catches everytime I weedeat, the hearing protection is a plus also. Guess now I'll be wearing it on the tractor with the hearing protection folded up so I can hear if something breaks or starts screaming at me. But I do highly recommend the chaps and helmet, less than $100 for both and darn good insurance. 3 or 4 missed days at work from a preventable injury would cost way more than that, and most real chainsaw injuries go way beyond 3-4 missed days. Mine are the Stihl brand but any brand will do. Had to color coordinate with the saw /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Wow fishman we must have hit the enter key at the same time.

BubbaJr · Aug 25, 2004

In addition to the hard hat, you might want to stash an extra pair of skivvies in your tool box. I know if that happened to me, I would need to change mine, and bury the old ones. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

EricL · Aug 25, 2004

First off, glad to hear you weren't hurt.

A hard hat is an idea but like was mentioned, if you will be doing a lot of work in the woods a FOPS (falling object protection system) would be the way to go. A hard hat will only work for deflecting objects.

I know if I am working in the woods I will be looking at the trees more carefully.

EastTexFrank · Aug 25, 2004

Jeez .... you were lucky. Don't think a hard hat would have helped with that sucker. You've got me re-evaluating my trips into the woods now. Thanks.

MrJoe · Aug 25, 2004

Thanks for the story, glad you are OK. I have six new quality hardhats left over from my last jobsite. If any of you are in the Southbury Ct. area, you can have one FREE. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Just post me if you are interested and stop by.
Joe