Why keep roll over bars down?

[burzynsr]

Rops come down to get in my shop. I put it up when using, the pins make it easy. We should not forget the seat belt as it is also part of the safety system. I'll check, but I think my manual says use the belt with the Rops up and don't use the belt with the Rops down. I am not a super safety nut as I have had plenty of stiches and the like. However a machine that can crush me or grind me into small pieces get's my complete respect.

 

[oldballs]

ROPS down for routine predictable chores like mowing. ROPS up on anything unusual (for me), especially where clearance is allowed. My ROPS mounted extra lights are all beat to Helz from unexpected low limbs. It seems like there is always one lurking out there. But since they(lights) are spring mounted, they give somewhat before something gets totally trashed.

ROPS up will not clear my garage for maintenance or my shed for storage.

I've noticed that my ability to see functions at the 3 point are restricted by using the seat belt with the ROPS up. Sometimes, it is so tiring to fight the belt that I release it or work with the ROPS down.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[LD48750]

Fixed ROPS was CUT OFF my Ford because it was fixed & hit trees when I tried to mow.
"Trimming" was not an option on some (most) of the trees in question, I would have had to completely remove them.
Have mowed this same land for 25+ years without a ROPS on my 2N and other tractors without a single roll over and don't expect one now.

I don't have a cage to protect me from golf balls either.

 

[Garandman]

Thanks. Knew there had to be some legit reasons.

Sometimes not: sometimes I wheel out of the garage and forget!

 

[ovrszd]

ROPS down for routine predictable chores like mowing. ROPS up on anything unusual (for me), especially where clearance is allowed. My ROPS mounted extra lights are all beat to Helz from unexpected low limbs. It seems like there is always one lurking out there. But since they(lights) are spring mounted, they give somewhat before something gets totally trashed.

ROPS up will not clear my garage for maintenance or my shed for storage.

I've noticed that my ability to see functions at the 3 point are restricted by using the seat belt with the ROPS up. Sometimes, it is so tiring to fight the belt that I release it or work with the ROPS down.

Cheers,
Mike

I'll admit to you my friend, I never use a belt and I'm in the timber a LOT.

 

[DavesTractor]

Its all orchard country around here. ROPS are down in all orchard type activities in our area. Pretty safe in that application as the orchard floors are flat.

As has been mentioned, a lot of guys that are huge ROPS fans do not wear a seat belt. For the ROPS to be effective, we need to make sure we are not crushed by it in a roll over. I wish tractor manufacturers would all use really high quality seat belt retractors that are mounted in a handy place. If you have to fish one end of the seatbelt out that slipped under the seat and fell through an opening for a lever...you tend to not want that hassle.

 

[Argonne]

I keep watching videos and lots of people keep the roll bars down. Is there a reason this is done? Maybe simple question, just trying to learn if I am missing some performance gain. Mine are up and have never thought about lowering them.

On balance, it introduces more hazards than it than it prevents, mostly to do with striking low hanging objects. I am endangered by the ROPS on those machines that have them nearly every every time I use them.

But as we know, the government knows best. Don't get me started on gas cans...

 

[DavesTractor]

I think ROPS do save lives and I am all for them. They ought to be used as designed unless conditions require otherwise.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I leave mine up since I have tops on for the summer heat. Just have to be aware of any low branches and take care of them. My tractor garage is high enough so no concerns there.

 

[mcfarmall]

I'm ok with ROPS but manufacturers should only make them 12"-16" higher than tallest expected operator based on the butt to head height of the average human. AVERAGE human, not you skyscraper freaks of nature. (Humor intended). Folding ones are nice but how does that work out if you mount a canopy to the ROPS? Seems like folding no longer becomes an option once a canopy is installed.

I would use the ROPS as a great excuse to trim the trees up high as others have already mentioned...including the ones in the woods.