Adding ROPS to older tractors?

[Elkins45]

I'm looking at some 70's model tractors and most of them don't have a ROPS. I would feel pretty uncomfortable mowing on my hills knowing a rollover would probably kill me. Is it a common practice to add a ROPS to tractors like a Massey 135 or 165, or maybe an Allis 175? Are their aftermarket kits or would I need custom welding work?

TIA for any replies.

 

[Kernopelli]

I know that Hercules makes ROPS for a lot of the old MF tractors. I don't recall ever seeing any aftermarket ROPS for anything but some of the small AC crossover compacts. I think the later models 174's might have had factory ROPS so there might be some Factor ROPS available for some of the late '80's ACs?

 

[Gedfish]

I fitted an after market ROPS to my Ford 4110 a year or so ago. The unit cost around the $800 mark. I'm in Australia, and there are lots of aftermarket kits available for older tractors. I assume it would be no different in the U.S. You almost certainly will not need custom welding work. And be very careful about anyone who claims they can knock a ROPS up for you. There are lots of cases of homemade type systems killing their owners on rollover. They either snap off or bend too much on rollover. The structure of a properly designed ROPS will yeild enough on impact to absorb the energy of the roll over without completely failing. All I had to do to fit mine was to move the mud guards out a bit and then fit the braces & tighten the huge nuts onto the huge bolts! Another way around the problem might be to look at buying a machine that already has a legal ROPS attached. It's almost always cheaper to buy a tractor with these sorts of things included. Best, Ged

 

[Don87]

I'm looking at some 70's model tractors and most of them don't have a ROPS. I would feel pretty uncomfortable mowing on my hills knowing a rollover would probably kill me. Is it a common practice to add a ROPS to tractors like a Massey 135 or 165, or maybe an Allis 175? Are their aftermarket kits or would I need custom welding work?

TIA for any replies.

The rollover will most likely only kill if you decide to stay on the tractor.
Usually, without rops, if one is going into a rollover situation..........you jump to the 'uphill' side of the tractor(but ya gotta have the 'mindset' for this).

Rops will only save you if you use the 'seat belt' religiously, but you still may lose an extremity(arm or leg).

 

[jenkinsph]

I added a canopy and rops to my Deere 820, makes me feel a little safer. The shade is a real plus too.

 

[JC-jetro]

I'm looking at some 70's model tractors and most of them don't have a ROPS. I would feel pretty uncomfortable mowing on my hills knowing a rollover would probably kill me. Is it a common practice to add a ROPS to tractors like a Massey 135 or 165, or maybe an Allis 175? Are their aftermarket kits or would I need custom welding work?

TIA for any replies.

I have looked at Hercules and not at all impressed by it. It is not OSHA compliant for whatever it is worth. I made one for my Ford 1700. You might look at the thread below. That might give you some ideas. Just FYI.

JC,

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/new-holland-owning-operating/211308-my-f-1700-home-made.html

 

[Soundguy]

keep your eye out on auctions and craigs list.

I've added rops to a few of my antiques over the last couple years. just find a set rated for your machine.

a 135mf takes the same set (aftermarket) that an 8n, 600/800/2000/3000 ford will take.

figure on paying 250-400$ for a used one with the correct lower brackets that sandwich the axle.

remember to use good bolts.. no grade 2 stuff..

then.. you need a seat with seatbelts... no seatbealt.. no rops...

soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

There was a factory ROPS listed for sale over on YT's photo classifieds yesterday. (in parts section). Needed paint and a tractor to install it on. $400.... Will fit most Ford and Massey Ferguson utilities....


Here's a link...


http://www.tractorshed.com/cgi-bin/...lay_db_button=on&db_id=438434&query=retrieval

 

[Soundguy]

whoever wants that rops that farmwithjunk just posted the link to better step up and claim it. I'm giving it a week and if no one here pm's me saying they intend to get it.. I'm buying it. I have plenty of tractors needing rops, and the local truck freight terminal knows me by now!

if someone pm's me saying they want it, that's cool.. i WON'T buy it out from under another member here.

soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

whoever wants that rops that farmwithjunk just posted the link to better step up and claim it. I'm giving it a week and if no one here pm's me saying they intend to get it.. I'm buying it. I have plenty of tractors needing rops, and the local truck freight terminal knows me by now!

if someone pm's me saying they want it, that's cool.. i WON'T buy it out from under another member here.

soundguy

That's about an hour north of me. If you need any help getting it shipped, let me know.

 

[Soundguy]

will do.

So far I've had good luck with these things. I have about 3 different 'flavor' freight terminals right one or two interstate exits up from me, and freight 'dock to dock' has been very affordable. I think the last rops I got cost me 75$ shipping.

no fancy packaging either.. just metal strapping to a pallate.. and the dock even did that for the seller

soundguy

 

[kebo]

Just as a reference, my first tractor was an '81 JD 750 that didn't have a ROPS on it. Being new to tractors, I was uneasy not having a ROPS on it so I bought one from a local JD dealer and installed it myself. That thing was a pain to get bolted on, but well worth the $300, and the extra security it provided. Of course, that one might be a bit smaller and not as strong as one for a heavier tractor. Plus, that was about 15 years ago so it might cost more now??

 

[Soundguy]

more size = more metal=more capacity = more $$

soundguy

 

[kco]

The rollover will most likely only kill if you decide to stay on the tractor.
Usually, without rops, if one is going into a rollover situation..........you jump to the 'uphill' side of the tractor(but ya gotta have the 'mindset' for this).

Rops will only save you if you use the 'seat belt' religiously, but you still may lose an extremity(arm or leg).

My attitude to a ROPS is similar to Don87's. I'm not arguing for or against ROPS, but decided it is not for me. I spent the first 6 or so hours on the new DK35 HST thoroughly testing it with the ROPS on every part of my acreage. It is much more stable than my previous tractor which did not have a ROPS.

I left the ROPS on for the first few weeks and then removed it because:

1. it needed to be lowered to fit in the garage. It was a matter of time before I would forget and tear off the door. My method of not forgetting was to partially close the door so I'd remember the ROPS when I returned.

2. the ROPS was a hazard on my winding trails and while gathering wood. It snagged a couple of small branches but the possibility was there that it would snag a larger one.

3. I would have never used the seat belt. I am on and off the tractor a lot, moving tree branches, rocks, and cutting wood. As I write this I realise how silly I was with my ROPS testing as I did not have the seat belt on.

It's a personal choice. For me, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and I hope I can continue to exercise prudent judgement to safely operate the machine with no danger of a rollover. I know I'm not agile enough to rely on Don87's method of jumping off on the uphill side. Others will make a different choice.

I think some of the safety stuff is overdone. I actually feel guilty removing the ROPS, but have never once felt like I needed one.

Another example: I'm a former lineman and still have my old belt and spurs from the 1970's. I use them to climb trees while felling or topping, and for climbing the odd pole while helping my local wireless internet provider. On two separate occasions he told me my belt is illegal because the Govt Saftey regulations call for a 3 point harness. Totally ridiculous! A more reasonable regulation (which I'd also ignore) would be to ban old crocks like me from climbing poles and trees.

I'm not arguing for or against ROPS. But we can probably all agree to operate safely and have fun.:thumbsup:

 

[kenmac]

When I purchased my yanmar . ROPS were not available .. When they were I purchased 1. I use it in the up position all the time with seat belt. The ROPS for my tractor was around $ 800.00. If you purchase used.. As sound guy mentioned . Use the correct hardware

 

[Gedfish]

Hey KCO - Each to their own, but I wouldn't be one for taking off a ROPS. Most roll overs happen to experienced operators on relatively flat terrain. Isn't the idea to put safety first even if it means doing and undoing a seat belt or folding & unfloding a ROPS. It's a bit like 'Air Crash Investigator' - eventually the math catches up with you. And I forgot to mention in my last post on this thread that I also fitted a seat belt on my 4110 when I fitted the ROPS. $25 from the wrecker. Works a charm. Best, Ged

 

[Elkins45]

There was a factory ROPS listed for sale over on YT's photo classifieds yesterday. (in parts section). Needed paint and a tractor to install it on. $400.... Will fit most Ford and Massey Ferguson utilities....


Here's a link...


Yesterday's Tractor - View Antique Tractor Photo Ads

Would that fit a Massey 135 or 150? Those are the tractors I'm looking at. That ROPS isn't very far from where I live, so you may have just solved my problem! The 'homestead safety officer' (also occasionally referred to as the 'war department') isn't comfortable buying a tractor without one, but picking this one up would free me to investigate some good older tractors.

Soundguy, can you please hold off until I find out if this will work for me?

 

[Soundguy]

Hey KCO - Each to their own, but I wouldn't be one for taking off a ROPS. Most roll overs happen to experienced operators on relatively flat terrain. Isn't the idea to put safety first even if it means doing and undoing a seat belt or folding & unfloding a ROPS. It's a bit like 'Air Crash Investigator' - eventually the math catches up with you. And I forgot to mention in my last post on this thread that I also fitted a seat belt on my 4110 when I fitted the ROPS. $25 from the wrecker. Works a charm. Best, Ged

yep.. most of the tractor deaths I see locally are from guys that have been driving their machine for 30-40 years, know it inside and out, and get caught in a bad spot.. like trailering. In fact.. I was loading my 850 with loader 2 days ago.. luckilly it was on my flat bed. as I was crawling up, one front tire was riding the edge of a ramp, while the other tire was centered ont he other ramp. well.. there was a soft spot in the dirt on the ramp that I was riding the edge and it rolled, I stomped at the clutch and brake in panic mode, missed the clutch the first time, but hit the left brake which actually scootched me left, and prevented the ramp from going completely over and wedged the tire an inch more onto it.. it was still rolled up.. 2nd stab at the clutch stopped me and I rolled back down and reset that ramp. had that been on my deckover and not my lowboy.. where the ramp rolled near the top.. that could have been much different.

wow.. removing rops and seatbelt from a machine with one. maybee if the worst happens and the machine isn't messed up, someone else can buy it from the estate and put the rops back on it


soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Would that fit a Massey 135 or 150? Those are the tractors I'm looking at. That ROPS isn't very far from where I live, so you may have just solved my problem! The 'homestead safety officer' (also occasionally referred to as the 'war department') isn't comfortable buying a tractor without one, but picking this one up would free me to investigate some good older tractors.

Soundguy, can you please hold off until I find out if this will work for me?

When I bought my 150 new, it came with a ROPS included in the deal. It was not mounted on the tractor. Shortly after that, I bought a Ford 3000 w/loader. My hired help used the 3000, so I put the MF ROPS on the Ford. It fit like it was made for it!. Same bolt pattern, same width, no modifications needed.

When I sold the Ford, I pulled the ROPS off and kept it. ONE OF THESE DAYS....I'll put it on the 150. Once I build a new garage with 10' doors....I keep the 150 in the garage nearest to the house. Wifey says that's so I can get up in the middle of the night and visit with my REAL girlfriend (the 150...:O )

There's a used equipment dealer/farmer/tractor boneyard about 10 minutes from the house. At one time, maybe a year ago, he had about a dozen Ford ROPS stacked in his barn. They were removed from scrapped out Ford LCG mowing tractors he'd bought at state surplus equipment auctions. They are IDENTICAL to the one pictured in the add, other than having black or yellow paint on them. If anyone is interested, I'll check to see if he still has any left. At that time, they were $250 each. Times change, and so do prices of anything steel, so I'm not sure about TODAYS price.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. 9n thru 3000 3 cyl all use the same rops. afaik, fergy t020/30/35 and mf 35/135 50/150 use the same one too