Yanmar / Tractor Newbie

[RobJ]

I think LMTC's post is well intended but I can say the ROPS on my L doesn't bend very much if any. It's 2x3x1/4" square tubing working on a 2300# tractor. If you read the article, you can wsee the way they mounted the ROPS was incorrect. Support was from the top of the axle housing only. Looking at the correct drawing the bolts and brackets should have surrounded the axle housing. Things are only as strong as their weakest link.

You can also factor in inexpierence in the driver in this one IMO.

Good Luck and welcome.

 

[normde2001]

"You can also factor in inexpierence in the driver in this one IMO."

I agree, I can't help but wonder what the boy was doing that he couldn't jam in the clutch and drop the front end back down. I have, on several occasions, caught my boxblade on a root that caused the front to raise, but there was plenty of time to jam the clutch? (or is that not possible on an HST tractor)?

 

[RobJ]

I have, on several occasions, caught my boxblade on a root that caused the front to raise, but there was plenty of time to jam the clutch? (or is that not possible on an HST tractor)?

Norm I'll have to quote you on this one to. On Saturday something caught my BH and the tractor starting easing up. I never found what it was which is even more strange.

 

[Soundguy]

The one thing about comercial rops is the certification.

As long as your son has real good excess and umbrella liability insurance.. not to mention good homeowners.. and if aplacable, good comercial liability insurances..... should anyone die while riding your tractor -if- the rops failed, and -if- it was determined it was the rops.. then perhaps the financial debt might not be too overwhelming.

Just seems easier to stick with rops certified for the tractor in question... even if the home-made ones are stronger and 'better' in every way...

Soundguy

 

[PAB_OH]

What if a commerically available rops isn't available? Is it better to have nothing than a home made one? That ain't a rhetorical question, I'd like to know peoples opinions.

I have done mechanical design on some very complicated projects but nothing approaching the brutality of a tractor roll-over so I won't pretend to understand the loading and stress factors.

I will venture to say (and this is my OPINION only) that if you can't afford a ROPS but have the means to build a structure worthy of a tank then I think you are better off than with nothing at all. Will you be protected in every instance? Probably not, I don't think you would be with an OSHA approved ROPS either though.

I can completely understand the theory that it is better to have a ROPS that gives slightly than one that is ridgid beyond belief (same conept as wrinkle zones in autos) but some folks can't afford the OSHA ROPS, if it is available. If they are able to make one themselves then I think it is at least a step in the right direction.

One other poster alluded to what I think is one of the real issues here, liability. Somehow we have come to believe that everyone else is responsible for our actions. So if you build one for your tractor and you lend it to someone or allow them to ride on it, period, and they are injured, even though you attempted to make the machine safer with a homebuilt ROPS, you will likely be held over the barrel if the ROPS is found to have contributed to the injury or simply failed to do what it was intended to do. If you put a home made one on it, I suggest not letting anyone else on it, ever, until the ROPS is replaced by one "approved by OSHA", like that means something!

Good luck and post pics if/when you get it done.

 

[mark777]

After building two sets from .0250 wall 2"X3" mandrel bent tubing, welding, assembly and utilizing grade 8 hardware, we mounted the finished projects on two different models. The design incorporated controlled deformation to include a side roll over and rear end-over accidents that utilized shear and diagonal stresses at the strongest points...other than just the axle housing sandwich design.

Personally I was thrilled with the ROPs and lap belts design, and the costs were less than $200. excluding labor.

For us, it ended this way: If I sold, rented or lend the tractor we assumed all liability for operators personal and property injury and damage.
If I sold the tractor and intimated that the add-on structure was a canopy support only, and not a ROP's - BUT left the seat belts installed, all the liability would (still) be with the seller.
And finally, if I sold the tractor with the structure and removed the seat belts....well, a death wish for sure and I couldn't live with guilt of an injury or loss of life regardless of how irresponsible the new owner had been. A ROP's without seat belts is much more dangerous that a tractor with neither.

Both sets were removed and the vertical (and diagonal) supports cut off. One was given to a neighbor and used as a drag line weighted down with cinder blocks. The other is buried in the side of my shop retaining wall.

Mark

 

[RobJ]

I just want to add regarding that article, I remember when I first saw this last year I wondered how the engineers designed for this type of roll "back". Plus with a BH or BB I would think it would be harder to do. You would think that most roll overs would be to the side, completely different stresses on the axles. And in a side roll over even a so so rops would stop the tractor (especially a small CUT). they are not round and are low to the ground. I've rolled my ATV a couple times while slow moving on a hill, just one of those smow motion things. It his it's side and stopped. If I were moving faster and the hill was steeper it could have started to tumble, but a 2-3' piece of angle bolted to the rear rack would have easiely stopped it. It;s a 600#ATV.

Rob

 

[California]

Previous posters have pointed out that due to liability a noncertified ROPS can only be used by its builder and must be removed when the tractor is sold.

Here's a previous thread
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?p=839780#post839780
with technical details of the OSHA standard. I was surprised that one of the OSHA tests is a 10 mph rollover.

My post there has a dead link referencing installation of a certified ROPS from Hoye. Here's a corrected link:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75272

 

[Soundguy]

I think an untested rops might lull into a false sense of security. At least if you have no reps, and an upset starts, you KNOW you have to dive off or be killed.

With an untested rops you may think you are safe and set there and find out that the rops fails and you are crushed.. when you 'might' have been able to jump for safety. Just my opinion.. etc.

Soundguy

What if a commerically available rops isn't available? Is it better to have nothing than a home made one? That ain't a rhetorical question, I'd like to know peoples opinions.

.

 

[RobJ]

I think an untested rops might lull into a false sense of security. At least if you have no reps, and an upset starts, you KNOW you have to dive off or be killed.
Soundguy

I think I might dive either way. My head and body will want to stay level, I'll go with them!!