Removing ROPS for dedicated mowing BX

[r0GuE]

So as I've decided to sell my FEL and purpose my BX for mowing only, I have been considering dispatching with the ROPS. It is in the way quite often around trees. I have used this machine on my lot for nearly 10 years and aside from the times when I've used the FEL, I have never come close to needing the ROPs. When mowing, it is just not even close to top heavy, and my yard is pretty level (some hill, but not much).

Has anyone removed the ROPs when they were confident that no roll over protection is needed? I would keep it for the day when I sell it, or if I were to get a FEL again someday I suppose.

Thoughts?

 

[Ductape]

Well, I wouldn't remove it if it were mine.......... but I have seen a couple that have had the ROPS removed. I'm guessing you don't have the folding ROPS? Save everything, every nut and bolt so that you can reinstall it when the time comes to sell or trade. And never let anyone else operate the tractor...... no family, friends, neighbors. You will be responsible should anything ever happen. If you are willing to accept the responsibility for any consequences, and don't let anyone operate it....... go for it. I've operated plenty of tractors that never came with any ROPS, but I'd always wished they had.

 

[bp fick]

No matter that I grew up driving tractors without ROPS, no matter that my property is level, (except for a nasty bank out front that I have allowed to return to nature) and no matter that I will not trim up my trees to point of silliness just so my 'Bota can pass under them, and no matter that on no occasion have I ever felt the need for the ROPS, still.....

If you do decide to remove them, you'd probably want to store them in the loft for a future date. Re-selling a tractor without them would be akin to trying to re-sell a car today, sans the seat belts and air bags.

 

[LD1]

Remove them and dont think twice. I removed mine when I first got it, and I still uses the loader a lot. Only hitch was I had to make some brackets as the turnbuckle anti-sway bars were connected to the bottom of the rops.

I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure you couldn't be held liable even if someone else operated it and somethhing bad happened. If I were to loan out the 8n, and someone flipped it, could I be held liable??? Or the JD 2040 with loader that also has no ROPS????

Seatbelts in cars are required by law. ROPS are not. It is a saftey feature yes, but required no, there fore you can do what you want and I dont think anyone can hold you responsible. And police arent going to pull you over and give you a ticket for not having ROPS.

Threads like this are always entertaining to read. I am old school, and don't need/want all this saftey garbage, and seat switches, etc. But the saftey police always try to make you think you are a bad person if you arent 100% by the book. I know the risks, you probabally do too. It always remindes me of that Buckey Covington song "different world"

 

[aczlan]

Seatbelts in cars are required by law. ROPS are not. It is a saftey feature yes, but required no, there fore you can do what you want and I dont think anyone can hold you responsible. And police arent going to pull you over and give you a ticket for not having ROPS.

AFAIK, ROPS is required on new tractors unless the purchaser has an exemption (like those that work in orchards).

OSHA also might disagree with you for tractors used commercially.

Aaron Z

 

[8x56mn]

Now that's refreshing finaly someone with some practical common sense:thumbsup: OK you weekend warriors let the games begin:laughing:

 

[radioman]

I had my folding rops top half removed for a short time due to the trees around my lot and getting in to my low garage door. When I needed to install lights for snowtime plowing, I just put it back on and cut all offending branches that is in the way so I can mow underneath and built a new garage for the tractor. IMHO, the trees looks better with space underneath.

So do what you want, there are going to be rops police here saying you can't, I suspect you might want to put it back some day for the functionality of rops.

 

[TripleR]

I personally don't feel safe without a ROPS, but ATV's don't have them nor do most dedicated lawn tractor mowers, so it doesn't appear removing one from a BX would be that big of issue.

 

[LD1]

AFAIK, ROPS is required on new tractors unless the purchaser has an exemption (like those that work in orchards).

OSHA also might disagree with you for tractors used commercially.

Aaron Z

They might require the MFG to install them on new tractors, but there is no law that says you have to use it, like there is for seatbelts.

to the OP: When you do remove it, follow these 10 simple steps

1. Make sure tractor is parked on level ground, PTO disengaged, tractor off, keys in your pocket, brake set, and wheels chocked.

2. have someone there to help you, ROPS are heavy. Bend at the knees and not the back.

3. better yet, use a chainhoist, but make sure it has a saftey factor of about 100x's. This would require at least a 5-ton.

4. Make sure the beam that said chainhoist is hooked to is about the size used on bridges that clear span 100+ft.

5. Wear heavily padded gloves, that way when the bolts break loose, you save your knuckles. No sense in getting a recordable insident or lost time accident removing the ROPS.

6. Have a phone handy to call for help incase of injury

7. Once it is removed, lay it flat. Don't stand it up or it might fall over.

8. Put up barriers or cones around it so someone doesn't trip over it.

9. Put warning lables all over stating the dangers and that you removed the rops.

10. Call befor you DIG.



If I forgot anything, feel free to chime in.

 

[stupakmike]

They might require the MFG to install them on new tractors, but there is no law that says you have to use it, like there is for seatbelts.

to the OP: When you do remove it, follow these 10 simple steps

1. Make sure tractor is parked on level ground, PTO disengaged, tractor off, keys in your pocket, brake set, and wheels chocked.

2. have someone there to help you, ROPS are heavy. Bend at the knees and not the back.

3. better yet, use a chainhoist, but make sure it has a saftey factor of about 100x's. This would require at least a 5-ton.

4. Make sure the beam that said chainhoist is hooked to is about the size used on bridges that clear span 100+ft.

5. Wear heavily padded gloves, that way when the bolts break loose, you save your knuckles. No sense in getting a recordable insident or lost time accident removing the ROPS.

6. Have a phone handy to call for help incase of injury

7. Once it is removed, lay it flat. Don't stand it up or it might fall over.

8. Put up barriers or cones around it so someone doesn't trip over it.

9. Put warning lables all over stating the dangers and that you removed the rops.

10. Call befor you DIG.



If I forgot anything, feel free to chime in.

Well Prepaired, Funny !:thumbsup: