Add homemade RPOS to old tractor.

[DPForumDog]

Before I buy an old trailer without a roll over bar, I am wanting to know if I can weld/fabricate a roll over bar (RPOS) to an old tractor.
Are there any drawings or plans for a homemade RPOS?

Any and all discussion appreciated.

Granny DP

 

[MossRoad]

Very few people would want to share plans for a homemade safety device for fear of liability in a lawsuit.

There are aftermarket ROPS makers out there, or so I've been told, so you may want to search for that based on the models of tractors you are interested in.

 

[Dave M7040]

Do not forget a ROPS is of little value if you dont have a seat belt.
Dave M7040

 

[cmyoung2]

There is a university that helps design and build ROPS for older tractors, Can't remember if it is TN, KY or WV. If my old memory is correct, they fab the unit, you bolt it together. Most dealers can also get ROPS for most tractors made since 1986, with new seats and seat belts. Check with your state Farm Bureau, In NC they will cost share up to $550 for a ROPS.

 

[Btown]

My ford 1700 had the ROPS removed. Called a tractor junkyard. They would not sell one. Had one made, it was probably 2 times stronger than the original. Liability.

 

[Teachu2]

I had a Mitsubishi MT210D that was 30 years old. I made my own ROP. There were mounting pads cast on the axle housing, just had to find a metric tap to clean up the threads and bolts to match. Bolted some 3/8 plate to the axle housing, then welded 2x3 .180 wall rectangular tubing to it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I had a Mitsubishi MT210D that was 30 years old. I made my own ROP. There were mounting pads cast on the axle housing, just had to find a metric tap to clean up the threads and bolts to match. Bolted some 3/8 plate to the axle housing, then welded 2x3 .180 wall rectangular tubing to it.

Be very cautious about mounting an ROPS onto "mounting pads". These are usually made to mount fenders not ROPS systems. Every ROPS I have ever seen have bolts that go around the whole axle either using U shaped bolts OR long bolts with a thick plate underneath connecting across the axle.

I did see a an accident report from a similar situation as yours where the owner bolted the ROPS to the top of the axle. The tractor flipped backward, the ROPS broke off the top portion of the axle where the ROPS was bolted and then the ROPS folder over pinning and killing the driver.

 

[Teachu2]

Be very cautious about mounting an ROPS onto "mounting pads". These are usually made to mount fenders not ROPS systems. Every ROPS I have ever seen have bolts that go around the whole axle either using U shaped bolts OR long bolts with a thick plate underneath connecting across the axle.

I did see a an accident report from a similar situation as yours where the owner bolted the ROPS to the top of the axle. The tractor flipped backward, the ROPS broke off the top portion of the axle where the ROPS was bolted and then the ROPS folder over pinning and killing the driver.

These pads were factory drilled and tapped M12x1.5, four bolts each side, ~3/4" deep. Must have been pretty substantial fenders, especially on a 21hp CUT. My ROPS was designed to stop the roll-over and allow escape. Flipping the tractor over backwards would have been quite an accomplishment, as the only tine it was on steep slopes was when using a 5' rotary brush cutter.

 

[Teachu2]

 

[Turbys_1700]

I was able to purchase a factory ROPS for my 1983 Ford 4610. Some used units are out there if you are patient and take time looking. I would suggest looking at buying a more popular tractor that had factory ROPS available from the factory. Going to be much easier to get a tractor with a ROPS than a vintage older unit. JMHO.