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.