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Roll over protection for H or M---or any non ROP e

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zooeyhall

12-31-2003 20:26:19

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I have been reading some of the posts about rollover accidents with non-ROPS protected tractors.

I have a question---is there a company somewhere that maybe sells a kit or something that can add ROP to these older tractors? Is it even possible to build a ROP as an add-on to older tractors? If something like this doesn't exist, I think that making something like a bolt-on ROP kit for tractors would be a good idea for some company to look into. With all the older tractors still around, I think there could be a real market for something like this.

Besides the concern for personal or family member protection, if you have employees who drive older tractors, it could help with liability insurance requirements (?) With all the safety consciousness in our society today, as well as fears of liability, I am kinda surprised there isn't anything like this available.

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zooeyhall

01-01-2004 20:22:24

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Re: Roll over protection for H or M---or any non R in reply to zooeyhall, 12-31-2003 20:26:19

Thanks everyone, for the informative comments on ROP for my older tractor.

Fortunately, the land I farm is quite flat. I have some pasture with gullies, but I seldom go into it with my H or M except to spray once in awhile and then I am always carefull to give the gullies a wide berth.

I have to say that in the 40 years I have had my IH tractors, doing ordinary field and yard work, I have never come even close to flipping it over. Maybe it is just luck, but I have always tried to err on the side of safety if I was doing something.

I have ridden a motorcycle a couple of times in my life, and I felt more exposed to danger and more scared going down the highway with that than anything I ever felt driving my H and M!

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KJR980

01-01-2004 13:14:19

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Re: Roll over protection for H or M---or any non R in reply to zooeyhall, 12-31-2003 20:26:19

It is my understanding that these are not able to handle a ROP kit. If one is added, it would probably be worse then not having one. We had an older one and my son wanted to ride/drive. We installed seatbelts on it. Everyone we talked to adiised against any sort of ROP added to it.

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ny bill o

01-01-2004 09:59:34

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Re: Roll over protection for H or M---or any non R in reply to zooeyhall, 12-31-2003 20:26:19

i have to agree with bermuda ken. safety people told me that i needed to add rops to my older tractors- m and super c-200, etc. when i checked with ih dealer, he said that the older tractors weren't designed to carry rops, and if a rops were added and tractor tipped over, an axle would likely break off and cause even more problems.

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Stan(VA).

01-01-2004 08:52:32

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Re: Roll over protection for H or M---or any non R in reply to zooeyhall, 12-31-2003 20:26:19

Try

www.marshfieldclinic.org/nfmc/rops/dropdown.htm

to locate rops manufacturers for a brand of tractor. Some list retail prices, most seem to sell only through the dealers. Saf-t-cab seems to be a major supplier. This is just results of a web search, I'm not connected to any of the sites or companies.
Stan(VA).

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Rusty Jones

01-01-2004 07:57:40

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Re: Roll over protection for H or M---or any non R in reply to zooeyhall, 12-31-2003 20:26:19

I've been reading the pro's & cons about ROPS, and what i've read so far seems to be good advice. But, like one person said, a fellow can get himself hurt or killed, right quick, by doing foolish stuff! We had a local fellow who farmed a large piece of ground, probably 150 acres, mostly flat, only a few gullies, rolling farm land. He farmed the place for quite a long time, but when a developer offered him big bucks for it, he sold, and bought a much smaller farm, rather hilly, and some woods, and a bit of open ground. Now, he always ran his tractors around with a log chain wrapped around the rear axle housing, with the hooks hanging down, inboard of the rear wheels. This didn't seem to be a problem on his old farm. But the new place, being more hilly, instantly became more dangerous to him. One day, while traversing a hillside, the dangling hook caught on the spokes of the back wheel, and when it tightened up---over it went! After several hours his wife went looking for him, and found him on his back with the tractor steering wheel crushing his chest! Didn't even have time to jump off--that quick, he was dead! So maybe ROPS would have saved him--i tend to think it would have, but then again, with the older tractors not viable for ROPS--i say, be extra careful! Happy New Year!! Rusty Jones

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Doc

01-01-2004 09:29:20

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Re: Re: Roll over protection for H or M---or any n in reply to Rusty Jones, 01-01-2004 07:57:40

Rusty I know exactly what you are saying.I was one of those guys.Having farmed for 20yrs.in the flat
parkland of Sask.then taking a job in the Rocky Mnts.of British Columbia.We bought a small acerage
and leased more mountain land to run some cattle
on.One day I was going up this mountain road to
drag fire wood with my Super M.Well the road was
covered in fist sized rocks and about a 10% grade.
With the "M" in second gear going up hill with no
load the rear wheels started to spin out alternatly and the front wheels bounced to the edge of the road and the r/h front wheel hanging out over the bank.I coudn't go ahead or back then
on trying to inch the tractor back with the l/h brake applied the rocks rolled under the rear wheels and the tractor started to go over the bank
on the r/h side I rode it till the l/h raer wheel
was 12" off the road then jumped off over that tire on to the road.Before leaving I killed the
ignition switch.The tractor rolled 4 tmes down the
50'bank.I wasn't hurt but if I would have had a RPOS on the tractor I would have less to repair.

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Dave H (MI)

01-01-2004 07:38:01

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Re: Roll over protection for H or M---or any non R in reply to zooeyhall, 12-31-2003 20:26:19

When I first got the Farmall I was pretty crazed about roll-over. The more I used it the more I felt it was unlikely as long as I did not push the limits with speed, turns, incline, and stumps. One advantage of the old tractors is that we already know most of the ways they can get you. Pay attention to what the experienced ones tell you and study the manual. Then apply it using a great deal of conservatism and you have something stronger than any ROPS.

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bermuda ken

01-01-2004 07:18:58

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Re: Roll over protection for H or M---or any non R in reply to zooeyhall, 12-31-2003 20:26:19

The Farmall Letter series tractors are NOT designed to have a ROPS device added to them. IF one were installed and the tractor rolled, another part of the tractor may break (axle frame,ect)causing more harm than good.

A ROPS alone won't save you either. You need to add a seat belt(and wear it!!!). Without some major reworking of the seat mounting this can't be done safely either.

If one has a phobia about rolling a tractor, buy a newer made tractor that was designed to have a ROPS installed. These tractors have power brakes and power steering too!

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paul

01-01-2004 05:03:36

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Re: Roll over protection for H or M---or any non R in reply to zooeyhall, 12-31-2003 20:26:19

There is no such thing as idot proofing a tractor just as soon as you do someone builds a better idot.My family has been farming for 4 generations and there were more accidents on the farm when they were using horse drawn machinery.They every man has his limitations.So does your tractor so use your head for something besides a hat rack."Grandfathers saying"Paul.

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Hugh MacKay

01-01-2004 03:27:08

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Re: Roll over protection for H or M---or any non R in reply to zooeyhall, 12-31-2003 20:26:19

I think Dave has probably hit the nail on the head, cost would be far more than the tractor is worth. If you compare the factory ROPS on most newer tractors where you mount and dismount ahead of the rear wheel, and take good look at the structure, you will see a great number of problems with putting a functional ROPS on any older tractor. First there is the rear mounting feature. You would have to crawl over the rear tire to get on the tractor. The structure would be so close to operator that his elbos would be black and blue most of his life. If you extend it back to compensate for this the use of most drawbar and all mounted equipment would have to be curtailed. So if you have curtailed most uses of the tractor, you really wouldn't need a ROPS for a tractor you just look at.

I really see only three uses left for a Farmall H or M with a ROPS rollover protection, one being tractor pulling and most of those guys are trying to get rid of weight, front end loader work and if loader work is all you are going to do there are far more functional vehicles than a tractor for this and last there are much better dune buggies on the market for less money.

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Nebraska Cowman

01-01-2004 02:53:50

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Re: Roll over protection for H or M---or any non R in reply to zooeyhall, 12-31-2003 20:26:19

Some people are afraid of lightning and sure don't want to be horseback in a thunder storm. Myself thinks that the old horse has been out in the rain and the storm all his life and he ain't been hit yet! when my time is up it realy don't matter how I go. in the meantime just use a little caution. Most of these tractors have lived 50+ years right side up and they ain't no sense falling over now.

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Dave560

12-31-2003 21:23:59

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Re: Roll over protection for H or M---or any non R in reply to zooeyhall, 12-31-2003 20:26:19

I agree that a ROPS for older tractors is a good idea. Unfortunately I think the cost of a commercially manufactured one would exceed the price of a new compact tractor. The liability insurance cost for a manufacturer to manufacture a ROPS for an older tractor would be exhorbitant. Each rops would have to be designed structurally and physically to fit each tractor, and would probably have to be installed by the manufacturer or a competent shop, to insure it was installed properly. Also in addition to the ROPS, you would need to have a decent and well attached seat, and seat belts. Personally I wouldn't want the liability to install one for anyone, considering how "lawsuit happy" everyone is these days. An interesting thought comes to mind considering some of the modifications and "repairs" I've seen people make to tractors: I wouldn't be suprised to see someone install a commercially manufactured ROPS with baling wire and sue the manufacturer when the tractor flips and the ROPS falls off.

The realistic question that comes to mind here is how much would you be willing to pay for a ROPS that was made and installed properly? I am a strong promoter of tractor safety, so a ROPS does make sense. The idea of a commercially produced ROPS may never be a reality.

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