never liked the ROPS now i have a reason

[DaBear3428]

doing a little grading with the box blade over a path i have graded multiple times before without issue and then a tree jumps out and grabs the rops broke off and landed on me in the tractor. I was lucky, it hit me in the back and not the head and only took out the LH turn signal.
It could have been much worse.

 

[newbury]

Was there a "beware of tree crossing sign"?

 

[DaBear3428]

Was there a "beware of tree crossing sign"?

nope, Ninja tree, stealthy

 

[Blue Mule]

We keep the ROPS down 100% of the time on our eXmark mowers because if a tree limb grabs the ROPS it'll flip you over in a split second. Extremely dangerous.

 

[seville009]

We keep the ROPS down 100% of the time on our eXmark mowers because if a tree limb grabs the ROPS it'll flip you over in a split second. Extremely dangerous.

I’ve almost done that a few times with the same tree at my own house…….wakes you up pretty darn quick

 

[CliffordK]

I'm not sure I've caught that big of a branch, but there are times I'll throw a branch around me, or more often I'm wincing when the bucket catches a branch and I know my face is next in line.

There was another discussion about FOPS (Falling Object Protection System) that might be worth looking into.

Perhaps that is the reason that CAT and Dozer operator protection systems look so much more substantial.

 

[JRH02]

I've got an idea! Put a spring release on the ROPS. There. Problem solved.

 

[CliffordK]

I've got an idea! Put a spring release on the ROPS. There. Problem solved.

Interesting concept. The ROPS may still generally function if allowed to spring back a little. One would likely want to also add either a ratchet or a shock absorber to prevent the ROPS from bouncing back in place too hard, with potentially dangerous results.

 

[JRH02]

Interesting concept. The ROPS may still generally function if allowed to spring back a little. One would likely want to also add either a ratchet or a shock absorber to prevent the ROPS from bouncing back in place too hard, with potentially dangerous results.

I was going to mention that you should still use the seat belt since the ROPS was up but to just clip the belt behind you.

 

[DaBear3428]

I was going to mention that you should still use the seat belt since the ROPS was up but to just clip the belt behind you.

sorry I do not follow why do i need to connect the seatbelt if i'm not using it?

 

[DaBear3428]

I've got an idea! Put a spring release on the ROPS. There. Problem solved.

that probably would have killed me as the limb would have hit me in the head.
needles to say i ran my cordless chainsaw out of juice after this, i knew better but just too lazy.

 

[DaBear3428]

Interesting concept. The ROPS may still generally function if allowed to spring back a little. One would likely want to also add either a ratchet or a shock absorber to prevent the ROPS from bouncing back in place too hard, with potentially dangerous results.

this is the reason i avoided a cab tractor (too many trees on my property) and this would have cost me a large pile of $s. but on second thought it would have been safer. that gives me an idea, honey see i need a cab tractor, and with a cab you know i need AC, yea her response will be pay more attention to where you are going lol.

 

[CliffordK]

Here is a thread about a home built FOPS.

JD 3005 full cage ROPS/FOPS build

I have been wanting to build a full cage ROPS since I got my tractor about 2.5 years ago. My farm is 100% hillside, and I push my tractor to the limits regularly. I've added wheel spacers to add a total of 9" width in the rear, which made a huge difference in stability, but I want the protection...

www.tractorbynet.com

It is possible you would have had less tree in the driver's seat.

 

[Midniteoyl]

doing a little grading with the box blade over a path i have graded multiple times before without issue and then a tree jumps out and grabs the rops broke off and landed on me in the tractor. I was lucky, it hit me in the back and not the head and only took out the LH turn signal.
It could have been much worse.

Had the ROPS up 'cause I was traveling on a public road. Got home and drove straight into my barn with a 7.5' high opening completely forgetting about the ROPS. Took the header completely out, splitting one of the 2x10x16's in half and nearly flipping the tractor backwards..

 

[DaBear3428]

Here is a thread about a home built FOPS.

JD 3005 full cage ROPS/FOPS build

I have been wanting to build a full cage ROPS since I got my tractor about 2.5 years ago. My farm is 100% hillside, and I push my tractor to the limits regularly. I've added wheel spacers to add a total of 9" width in the rear, which made a huge difference in stability, but I want the protection...

www.tractorbynet.com

It is possible you would have had less tree in the driver's seat.

shhh! still trying to talk the CFO into an AC cab.

 

[DaBear3428]

Had the ROPS up 'cause I was traveling on a public road. Got home and drove straight into my barn with a 7.5' high opening completely forgetting about the ROPS. Took the header completely out, splitting one of the 2x10x16's in half and nearly flipping the tractor backwards..

time for a wheely bar?

 

[ultrarunner]

D3 tops saved my life...

Just in transport mode and a large tree on a high bank decides now is the time to fall...

The base at least 30' from me with full trunk landing square on the right rear corner... almost splitting but left a deep dent in the tree.

Had to cut my way out to move the dozer

 

[Jrasband]

What would have happened if you didn't have the rops would it have slammed you instead and broke something?

 

[Midniteoyl]

time for a wheely bar?

Probably not a bad idea in my case..

 

[Locoweed]

I don't remember Orange Grove as being very hilly. Is there a need for the rops?