Anyone written to OSHA about your ROPS?

[RalphVa]

I'd like to write OSHA a note about their ROPS requirements. Anyone have a snail mail addy or email for them?

My wife insisted I put mine up on this new JD 2025R because it doesn't go above my head like the folded one on the 1025R did. Well, I did and then promptly decided to back it up into the garage where the floor is flatter to adjust my bush hog cutting height. Bashed the eave in front of the door.

I promptly lowered it and left it down while bush hogging like I always did on the 1025.

Didn't have this problem on the JD 4010. It had non-folding ROPS and fit nicely underneath the garage doorways it needed to go into.

Now, OSHA has a requirement that the ROPS protect a normal man's head while drawing a line from the top of the ROPS to the top of the hood of the tractor (which may collapse on a rollover anyway).

If OSHA wants us to use these things, they should make the folding erected height to fit underneath a normal doorway.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do on the 2025 yet. If you get it cut down and rewelded, it'd have to be a precise job to get it to fit back in place. Thinking maybe I'll cut it off so the top of the stubs will just fit underneath the garage doorways. Think the stubs will be above my head and give some protection.

What's anyone else done?

Ralph

 

[bcp]

Measured it. If too tall, don't go there.



Bruce

 

[smstonypoint]

A couple of things that you could use to remind yourself.

1. Suspend a tennis ball or something similar in the entryway. Seeing the ball or having it bump your head should remind you to check the ROPS.

2. Attach a fiberglass rod (e.g., a fishing rod) to the front of your tractor, setting its height so that it will bend when you enter your garage.

Steve

 

[RalphVa]

The accident happened while backing in today. None of your reminders would work.

Ralph

 

[arlen4720]

The accident happened while backing in today. None of your reminders would work.

Ralph

You probably won't forget again. If you do, then build a bigger shed:thumbsup: The simple solutions are the most elegant and effective.

 

[NoTrespassing]

As far as OSHA is concerned, Vote for people that won't make stupid laws to protect us from ourselves. That's what I try to do whenever possible. It's next to impossible at times as most people don't want to take any responsibility for themselves.

The machining center we purchased a couple years ago was impossible to run with all the safety switches on it. We had to bypass them in order to make parts at a reasonable pace. The techs that service it know that ALL customers bypass the safety switches and turn a blind eye to it.

Kevin

 

[MHarryE]

The ROPS standard came from the manufacturers who wanted an escape clause from people suing when injured, or family members suing when operator killed. You, being a user, can modify it any way you want - or remove it. There is no agency that will come after you - unless you hire an employee to use it. Having investigated many fatal accidents, first thing I always documented was ROPS modifications and seat belt usage. Come to think of it I never needed to investigate an accident where the ROPS was not modified and was in place, and the driver was using his seat belt.

 

[williaty]

Didn't have this problem on the JD 4010.

That's because your 4010 was longer. Longer tractors can have shorter ROPS. My 1023e has a skyscraper ROPS because the thing is so stubby.

If OSHA wants us to use these things, they should make the folding erected height to fit underneath a normal doorway.

Your wording is very confusing but I think you're saying the upright (unfolded height) should be lower? If so, you're missing the point. The height of a folding or non-folding ROPS is determined by the length of the tractor and the seating position. It can't do its job if you make it shorter.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do on the 2025 yet. If you get it cut down and rewelded, it'd have to be a precise job to get it to fit back in place. Thinking maybe I'll cut it off so the top of the stubs will just fit underneath the garage doorways. Think the stubs will be above my head and give some protection.

Given the huge number of people killed by rollovers in the pre-ROPS era, and the number of people still killed today when they remove or modify the ROPS, you should think again about how much you're giving up vs how little you're gaining.

Having investigated many fatal accidents, first thing I always documented was ROPS modifications and seat belt usage. Come to think of it I never needed to investigate an accident where the ROPS was not modified and was in place, and the driver was using his seat belt.

This bears emphasis. The safety system of the ROPS and seatbelt, unlike so many other stupid safety things that are forced on us today, actually works extremely well with little to no downside other than having to drop the ROPS before you can park it in the barn.

 

[newbury]

Measured it. If too tall, don't go there.



Bruce

Yup

The accident happened while backing in today. None of your reminders would work.

Ralph

Do you drive a motor vehicle on public roads? If so please tell us where so we can be on the lookout.
This thread reads like someone who drives into their garage forgetting they have a cargo box on top of their car and complains because it crashes.

Take the darn thing off, maybe you'll get nominated for a Darwin award.

 

[oldballs]

I was going to Sue Kubota because there is no warning sticker on the ROPS that says it will knock you in the head when the folded top comes down. But that thread went no where because most of the TBN ers thought the Thread was a Pin-Up of "Sue Kubota". Much disappointed they were.