3033R ROPS %^*(*%$#!

[WinterDeere]

Just got a new 3033R this morning, and I'm already cursing the stupid, stupid (stupid!) design of this ROPS. Looking for advice, or at least a little commiseration, from those who've owned one awhile.

Of course it's too tall to use around any yard with trees, I'll likely kill myself when I catch on a branch that either whacks me as a result of getting caught on the ROPS, or causes the tractor to stand up if the branch doesn't yield. Then there's the issue of forgetting it's up when I back into the barn, which is almost 100% guaranteed to happen if using this machine several times per week for two decades.

Okay, no problem... fold it down and leave it down, much as I've done on past machines since the 1980's. But no... in the folded position this thing is at the perfect height to bang my head on it every time I'm working or walking behind the tractor.

Honestly... what are these guys thinking, with this design? I love Deere, but I'd like to personally kick the arse of anyone involved in the design of this horrendous ROPS system.

 

[beenthere]

Fold it and remove it at the hinge. What could be wrong with that?

 

[CADplans]

Honestly... what are these guys thinking, with this design? I love Deere, but I'd like to personally kick the arse of anyone involved in the design of this horrendous ROPS system.

What do you do?? Consider yourself lucky,, my 4105 JD ROPs does not even fold,,,

BUT,, I do have an eleven foot high garage door on my shed, so I have to partially lift the door to get the tractor in and out,,,

 

[ruffdog]

Will it fold all the way down like the on here?

https://www.marketbook.co.nz/listings/farm-equipment/auction-results/25142663/2014-john-deere-3033r

 

[WinterDeere]

Will it fold all the way down like the on here?

https://www.marketbook.co.nz/listings/farm-equipment/auction-results/25142663/2014-john-deere-3033r

Thanks for looking, ruffdog. Yes, it does fold down that far, but then interferes with all of the rear hydraulics. The tractor in that photo doesn't have any of the rear hydraulic options.

There is some good news, tho! The dealer delivered this new machine today without any operator's manual, but looking at an old manual Deere has online, I see there's actually a ROPS position that keeps the bar just above my 6'-0" head height. If I were 6'-4" I'd be screwed, but this is one of those occasions I can be happy I'm not that tall.

An angled-down ROPS position would be nicer, but I think I can deal with this. It just makes it under my 7'-0" doors, in this position, and is just about 2" above my head at the lowest point.

 

[Wagtail]

What do you do?? Consider yourself lucky,, my 4105 JD ROPs does not even fold,,,

BUT,, I do have an eleven foot high garage door on my shed, so I have to partially lift the door to get the tractor in and out,,,

Well that sucks... for you. Mine has a fold-able ROPS. Pretty sure it was an Australian condition of sale. I've never had it down.

 

[WinterDeere]

Lotsa trees with low branches scattered all over this property, so a tall ROPS doesn’t work for me, anyway. It will stay folded (or removed altogether), 100% of the time. Ironically, I’ve only had two near-rollover accidents on this property, both times caused by the ROPS on my zero turn catching low branches, and standing the mower up in a wheelie. A third time I had it catch a branch and bring it down on the back of my head and neck at high speed, almost putting me in the hospital.

My opinion is that ROPS May have their place in agricultural settings, but they are likely far more dangerous than not having one in a typical lawn care or homeowner setting.

 

[dodge man]

I have a 2025r and have the same problem. I usually leave mine in the head banging mode most of the time. I put a 5 gallon bucket in front of 5he door when I put the ROPS up. I should say most of the time since I bent stuff up the house once.

 

[Diggin It]

Trim the trees higher. Build a higher door.

 

[WinterDeere]

I have a 2025r and have the same problem. I usually leave mine in the head banging mode most of the time. I put a 5 gallon bucket in front of 5he door when I put the ROPS up. I should say most of the time since I bent stuff up the house once.

... yet one more reason to leave it down. I can’t claim I’ll always remember to get off the tractor and fold it at the end of a long hot day working outside.

Agreed zzvyb... I’m actually one of those engineers responsible for making similar safety considerations, it’s all about statistics, and limiting the company’s net liability cost. It’s not always about making the most sensible choice, it’s about making the choice that can be defended in court, or sometimes preventing a few very large but infrequently liabilities at expense of numerous smaller cases, based on how the numbers shake out.

Ironically, my shop did previously have taller doors, but since the shed where I usually keep the tractor has a low roof, I’m stuck at 7 feet there. Here’s where it’s at, now:

 

[Diggin It]

Seriously, if there is clearance below the rafters and lights, I'd be looking at modifying the door opening.

 

[WinterDeere]

Seriously, if there is clearance below the rafters and lights, I'd be looking at modifying the door opening.

I hear you, but there is not. Not even close. This ROPS is over 9 feet tall, and those rafters are only 8’-6”. Besides, I don’t normally keep the tractor in my shop, it’s normally in a shed where the roof rafter crosses the top corner of the door right at 7 feet. Besides, I have at least 50 trees in my yard with branches that would hit the ROPS in the up position, and lopping the branches off all of them is not an option. I am not really worried about rolling this machine, given what I do with it.

 

[CobyRupert]

Maybe swap the factory ROPS for a custom roll cage. Much lower height, better protection from those snapping branches. Cooler looking.
roll cage

 

[ovrszd]

... yet one more reason to leave it down. I can’t claim I’ll always remember to get off the tractor and fold it at the end of a long hot day working outside.

Agreed zzvyb... I’m actually one of those engineers responsible for making similar safety considerations, it’s all about statistics, and limiting the company’s net liability cost. It’s not always about making the most sensible choice, it’s about making the choice that can be defended in court, or sometimes preventing a few very large but infrequently liabilities at expense of numerous smaller cases, based on how the numbers shake out.

I should have read down before posting, you explained it clearer than I.

 

[ovrszd]

In regards to folding ROPS. If the operator isn't going to place it back in the upright position every time it's not hitting something, might as well unbolt it and be done. A folded ROPS isn't worth hauling around.

 

[CobyRupert]

In regards to folding ROPS. If the operator isn't going to place it back in the upright position every time it's not hitting something, might as well unbolt it and be done. A folded ROPS isn't worth hauling around.

Meh...I'd rather be doubled over under the shortened height of a folded ROPS than flattened under the weight of the tractor lying on me.

...of course the chances that anybody would be wearing their seatbelt while having the ROPS folded are slim to none.... so maybe "might as well unbolt it and be done" is right.

 

[ruffdog]

In regards to folding ROPS. If the operator isn't going to place it back in the upright position every time it's not hitting something, might as well unbolt it and be done. A folded ROPS isn't worth hauling around.

Don't remove it. A folded rops does in fact add tremendous strength to the vertical rops supports as it ties them together. During a roll over. it would have to bend many tubes VS just the one on one side. Like the OP, there is little reason to need a rops in the vertical position because the land is flat. Low limbs are a endless obstacle. Now that I have a cabbed toolcat, I HAD to cut branches. I used my work platform and had the wife drive me around to do some trimming. It was well worth it and the property looks like a park.

 

[B8FISH]

Drill a small hole in the bracket that you can put a pin in so that it will be above the hydraulics when folded (on each side). It’s a pain if you’re trying to hook up something on the 3pt because it’s more in the way, but it’s out of head banging height. Also, hang something from the garage door at eye level as a reminder to check ROPS up/down position —tennis ball on a string.