Is the ROPS really needed?

[k0ua]

Well everyone has an opinion. Here is mine.. Prune the stupid trees, keep the ROPS on. I have never turned over a tractor yet, I am on my 5th one in over 20 years. BUT, I have come close a couple of times. Yes this was with a loader and not mowing on flat ground. I have turned over a lawn tractor on my self (flipped over backward, uphill and hit a rock).. It happens almost instantly. I just threw the little tractor off of me. You can throw a lot off of you when you are full of adrenalin. But I don't think you are going to throw a BX off of you. I think you are going to be squished. Good luck in your decision, but again I say prune the trees, and keep the ROPS, stuff happens.

James K0UA

 

[Scooby074]

............ but with a rear-view mirror in France ......

:thumbsup:

 

[Ken45101]

Does that mean the ROPS does not save lives?

No, I meant it the other way: those who have been killed without ROPS can't raise their hands.

I have a friend who was an asst. fire chief in a semi rural area. He has responded to too many rollover fatalities.

The best safety 'equipment' is using one's equipment in a way that doesn't ever put you in a situation that any form of ROPS is necessary.

How will we ever know that for sure? Keep the tractor in the barn and never start it? How much of a hill is too much? Kubota doesn't put safe operating slopes in the manuals. Not all of us have farms that are table top flat. As mentioned, a hidden rut on the downhill side or a clump of dirt on the uphill side can make a sudden, critical difference.

The first year here, my neck was stiff for two weeks after I bushhogged about 8 acres by backing down the steeper hills. Now I feel more confident but I never know if there will be a hidden rut or clump of dirt.

Even slightly low air pressure in a tire can make the difference.

Ken

 

[tractchores]

I personally would get a folding rops. Even folded it offers some protection. The problem isn't mowing, but when you do something else without putting it back on because it's too much work. Roll overs can happen in an instant in the safest looking circumstances. I've had a few close calls with wheels off the ground and would never take off my rops. It's just not worth it.

 

[ccsial]

You really can't ask anyone to advise you on this issue since they don't know the lay of your land and what your mowing.

I would say that since you will be using only as a riding mower you may not need the ROPS, but that depends on if you have hills or dangerous areas to mow.

I have a JD X748SE that I use for mowing my smaller yard, about 2 acres. It did not come with a ROPS. I guess JD does not consider a ROPS necessary for riding mowers. I'm sure they have a large staff of lawyers and really deep pockets so if they don't think a ROPS is required for a mower.....

 

[Ken45101]

You really can't ask anyone to advise you on this issue since they don't know the lay of your land and what your mowing.

You are right about that.

I would say that since you will be using only as a riding mower you may not need the ROPS, but that depends on if you have hills or dangerous areas to mow.

^^^ What he said. In OUR yard, I want ROPS for mowing. I used to use a B2710. Now a ZD23 zero turn. Both have a ROPS and I wouldn't do otherwise in our yard.

OTOH, at our previous place, 10 acres of table top flat land, a ROPS probably wasn't needed.

Ken

 

[BroBro]

Just remember :
You can skydive without a parachute ONCE !!!!!!

 

[soulasphil]

Trees and rops really don't get on well. Repairing granite arches over my barn doors costs a fortune. So my ROPS stays folded most of the time, except when it interferes with some implements or when I seek protection from falling limbs.

 

[Big Wave D]

How will we ever know that for sure? Keep the tractor in the barn and never start it? How much of a hill is too much? Kubota doesn't put safe operating slopes in the manuals. Not all of us have farms that are table top flat. As mentioned, a hidden rut on the downhill side or a clump of dirt on the uphill side can make a sudden, critical difference.Ken

You are correct. To be TOTALLY safe, park it, and never venture forth, and yes, we cannot foresee all possible scenarios.

What's the say, "Bad things happen to good people."

What I am talking about is when you are doing something that is sounding that alarm in the back of your head that says "maybe this isn't the brightest/smartest/safest way to try and do this". All the while, you are experiencing some pucker factor while attempting to do whatever. Continually ignoring that inner preservation system and you will get to see how well your ROPS and seat-belt work.

When your time is up, it's up. No amount of safety equipment is going to save you. If the 'perfect storm' strikes, those doing the investigation will say that they've never seen anything like it ever before.

 

[Scooby074]

That picture of the Deere illustrates a HUGE problem with the BX folding Rops.... It Doesnt fold down flat behind the tractor!!! The darn thing sticks out like 3' behind the tractor.. Its a huge PITA I'm thinking about modifying the hinge to make it fold flat like it should.