ROPS adjustment

[will721]

To the topic of whether shortening effects protection, it does technically. The height of the ROPS isn't just a random number, and no it isn't that tall to accommodate Shaq borrowing your kubota. It's a calculated height designed to prevent a continuous roll should the tractor tip. Like if you were dumb enough to roll it on a steep hill it would just fall on its side and not continue ideally. Shortening the rops equates to increasing the chance of multiple roll overs.

That said most guys probably aren't even wearing their seat belt (including me) which would not only negate the protection of the ROPS it actually makes it more dangerous because at that point it could trap you since at that point the safest strategy would be to get away from the tractor like an atv and now the ROPS is an obstacle. Older machines never had either. Infact the only safety feature on any of my old tractors is the 3ph that made Ferguson so famous, which was originally designed to keep tractors from flipping aswell.

Modifications to safety equipment is something that no one should ever recommend, and for good reason. However its your property, your life, and therefore your choice. It would be in your best interest not to modify it, but rather store the top hoop and either fabricate yourself or have a shorter top hoop fabricated for you just for purposes of potential resale.

Lack of personal accountability is one of the major contributors of why this country is going to hell afterall.

 

[trial and error]

@willthat last sentence 100% agree. All good points but the last sentence gexplains all the other reasoning in a nutshell

 

[Bearcatrp]

Dam, can’t spell ROPS either. Batting a thousand these days. I don’t wear seat belt either as I want to bail if I think it’s going over. Seat belt will slow down jumping. Did consider turning the ROPS around. Looks like 4 bolts. With shoulder surgery coming up soon, think I’ll put this on hold until next spring. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[NCL4701]

Modifying will hurt trade in value if you ever want to trade in at a dealership. If you don’t care; not a factor.

If you have employees running it and one gets hurt on it in a rollover or backflip after you've modified the ROPs, even if the modification wasn’t truly a factor, gird your loins for a financial butt reaming.

If neither of those apply, it’s your machine and you can modify to suit your needs or your preferences or both.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Think I found a solution without cutting the bar. With the ROPS folded this way and using the pins, it won't fold down. Put my light bar on and tested going into the garage. Made it by 2 inches. Will try this for winter and see how it goes.

 

[jyoutz]

Tractors are supposed to live in barns or sheds with proper sized doors, not garages. Garages are for cars and junk.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Tractors are supposed to live in barns or sheds with proper sized doors, not garages. Garages are for cars and junk.

Feel free to donate to my shed fund.

 

[whitetiger]

Does Kubota or anyone else make a little shorter ROPES, top part? I need 3 inches shorter to get in the garage without folding it down. Thought about finding a machine shop to cut it down but not sure I want to go this route. Or is this a bad idea? Thanks

If you modify the ROPS, you are financially liable for any injury caused by a failure of the ROPS. If you trade the tractor in, the dealer will deduct the cost of replacing the ROPS with a new one as it is no longer certified and they can not sell the tractor. If they sold it with a modified ROPS, they also would be liable for any injury caused by a failure.

Suppose a family member or friend gets on the tractor, rolls it, and is injured or killed.

It's your tractor, do what you want, but remember actions often have unexpected consequences.

 

[Bearcatrp]

No modifications done. Just folded out and used the pins to keep it from dropping down.

 

[fried1765]

The first thing I did when I got my B2601 home was to fold the ROPS.

My property is flat, and the odds of needing my ROPS is about .00001%

If I ever move to a hilly area, I can raise it back up.

But for now, it's going to stay down.

Similar terrain conditions, but different ROPS reason.
I have many low hanging branches
My ROPS does not fold, but is neatly stored in my barn.
I have been "tractoring" for 50+ years,.... so, with not many years likely remaining anyway, I'll just continue taking my .00001% chances.

I have not been struck by lightening yet either!
I love red meat too!

 

[fried1765]

Tractors are supposed to live in barns or sheds with proper sized doors, not garages. Garages are for cars and junk.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I'm under the impression that a folded down ROPS is NOT a 'ROPS' anymore....????

 

[jyoutz]

The first thing I did when I got my B2601 home was to fold the ROPS.

My property is flat, and the odds of needing my ROPS is about .00001%

If I ever move to a hilly area, I can raise it back up.

But for now, it's going to stay down.

Don’t be lulled into the security of flat ground. Things like driving into a hole or loader work are also roll over hazards.

 

[fried1765]

Don’t be lulled into the security of flat ground. Things like driving into a hole or loader work are also roll over hazards.

The absolute safest way to use any machinery, is to not use any machinery at all!
Same with highway driving.....
Don't do it at all....
Same with bath tubs....
Don't get in 'em!

 

[fried1765]

I'm under the impression that a folded down ROPS is NOT a 'ROPS' anymore....????

True!

 

[jyoutz]

The absolute safest way to use any machinery, is to not use any machinery at all!
Same with highway driving.....
Don't do it at all....
Same with bath tubs....
Don't get in 'em!

Don’t be dramatic. Use your equipment to do work. Also use your seat belt and ROPS. Just like most of us wear seatbelts when highway driving.

 

[fried1765]

Don’t be dramatic. Use your equipment to do work. Also use your seat belt and ROPS. Just like most of us wear seatbelts when highway driving.

Thank you for your guidance!
Luckily for me,....... over my 83 years, I have made it through a Vietnam mortar attack, cancer treatment, an automobile accident, aircraft carrier landings, 30,000 hours of pilot time, and other perceived dangers....... ALL.......WITHOUT your counsel.

 

[Trimley]

Thank you for your guidance!
Luckily for me,....... over my 83 years, I have made it through a Vietnam mortar attack, cancer treatment, an automobile accident, aircraft carrier landings, 30,000 hours of pilot time, and other perceived dangers....... ALL.......WITHOUT your counsel.

From one Vet to another, thanks for your service.

 

[jyoutz]

Thank you for your guidance!
Luckily for me,....... over my 83 years, I have made it through a Vietnam mortar attack, cancer treatment, an automobile accident, aircraft carrier landings, 30,000 hours of pilot time, and other perceived dangers....... ALL.......WITHOUT your counsel.

To each their own. What I said was standard safety advice, maybe for some of the younger folks who aren’t quite as lucky as you.

 

[whitetiger]

I'm under the impression that a folded down ROPS is NOT a 'ROPS' anymore....????

That is correct. The tractor should not be operated with the ROPS folded down, it is primarily for getting into low-overhead structures for storage or transport.