ROPS anyone?

[Pullstart 62,812]

I have this ROPS bar.  I’ve stuck a loader on it’s side before, it’s not the most fun.  There’s a fine line between being safe riding out an accident and being able to escape if need be.

 

I have plenty of extra 2x2x3/16” square tubing.

 

THOUGHTS?

 

I’m obviously not the tallest person in the world… at about 5’6”.  Ideas on how far over my head would be reasonable?

[Pullstart 62,812]

Well.  Easy solution to where I should mount it.  Reference the mower it came from.  I essentially need the bar to be right behind the fender by about 1/4”.  The bottom of the bar should be at the bottom of the fender.  It only mounted to one 1/4” plate on each side, no double shear.  The tubing I would use to build the mount is 1/16” thicker than the ROPS itself.
 

 

[Snoopy11 5,714]

9 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

THOUGHTS?

Gosh, the problem I see with welding on more tubing is... that becomes your weak point...

 

Maybe... if you have some overlap of the tubing, either inside or outside the existing tubing, that would reinforce the tubing for safety purposes and extend it, then weld together.

 

 

Don

[Snoopy11 5,714]

13 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

how far over my head would be reasonable

When I had the SCAG... the roll bar was around 6-8 inches over my head...

 

Don

[The Freightliner Guy 1,327]

I was thinking a bit less than a foot over your head that’s what most seem to have and you could add a roof to that’d be nice to have 

Edited October 27, 2022 by The Freightliner Guy

[Handy Don 12,177]

Here's the requirements and testing standards. Enjoy

[Pullstart 62,812]

8 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Here's the requirements and testing standards. Enjoy

osha?  @SylvanLakeWH brought me some curds from there one time!

[Pullstart 62,812]

@Handy Don you do bring up a great point, in a 50 page way.  The ROPS I have is likely built for a machine that might weigh half of my intended use.  

[Handy Don 12,177]

Just now, Pullstart said:

@Handy Don you do bring up a great point, in a 50 page way.  The ROPS I have is likely built for a machine that might weigh half of my intended use.  

I'd have liked to work for the guvment and get paid by the word!

 

Yes, for what you're doing I think a heavier tube frame is called for. And I'd wonder if the subframe could be torqued away from the tractor on a rollover.

The way I read that "spec" is:

1) you have to test it with a real example of the machine, and

2) it passes if the machine doesn't bend or break in a way the impinges on the operator

 

However, lawyers and clever engineers need details like this to keep them in bounds, right?

[Pullstart 62,812]

I do have a pretty good supply of tubing.  I might put off the ROPS for now, and end up building my own.  Possibly even a double loop, or a cage that ties into the front of the machine.  That would surely warrant needing a seat belt to hold me in when I’m tumbling.

 

 

 

 

I also see that my subframe is mounted below the axle.  In a roll over the subframe could tear front the axle and the tractor crush me anyway.

 

 

 

[Pullstart 62,812]

1 minute ago, Handy Don said:

I'd wonder if the subframe could be torqued away from the tractor on a rollover.

 

you posted as I was finalizing picture uploads.  Exactly.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,503]

43 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

osha?  @SylvanLakeWH brought me some curds from there one time!

 

[pfrederi 17,685]

My weekender neighbor has a Kubota with ROPs  was mowing forgot about a tree branch..stopped it dead but lifted the front end way up disconnecting the deck PTO drive then slammed it down.  did something to the deck makes a big banging sound now...

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

17 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

neighbor

 

Mine thinks his ZT is a chipper / shredder.  What an id10t !

 

 

[sjoemie himself 3,068]

@Pullstart how about mounting the ROPS to the FEL frame in front of you/in front of the drivers position?

Seems to me to be a sturdier attachment point than on the backside?

If you go that route ány height above your head would be enough to keep you safe.

[Pullstart 62,812]

4 minutes ago, sjoemie himself said:

@Pullstart how about mounting the ROPS to the FEL frame in front of you/in front of the drivers position?

Seems to me to be a sturdier attachment point than on the backside?

If you go that route ány height above your head would be enough to keep you safe.

I thought about that… or both.  I believe that would be called a 4 point roll bar, like a race requirement at the drag strip after such and such race time.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,503]

9 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

I thought about that… or both.  I believe that would be called a 4 point roll bar, like a race requirement at the drag strip after such and such race time.

4 point would be good for you given your propensity to injure, maim, mutilate or otherwise damage yourself... 

 

  

[sjoemie himself 3,068]

30 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

4 point roll bar

..or.. rollcage for tractor pulling. Simply transfer $1200 to the seller and you're done 

 

Edited October 27, 2022 by sjoemie himself
Typo, thanks to lovely auto-correct

[squonk 41,040]

3 minutes ago, sjoemie himself said:

..or.. rollcage for tractor pulling. Simply transfer $1200 to the seller and you're done 

 

Now yer talkin. Since this is for Kevin, anything less than a full cage is a waste of time! 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,297]

You guys are forgetting the many cases of bubble wrap that will be needed for @Pullstart body . He does have a history of ER visits.

[ebinmaine 67,330]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

BOTH.  I believe that would be called a 4 point roll bar,

BOTH. Is the answer.  

[ebinmaine 67,330]

Tomorrow is your reward for being safe today.  

 

 

Safety is a mission, not an intermission.  

 

 

 

[Pullstart 62,812]

5 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Tomorrow is your reward for being safe today.  

 

 

Safety is a mission, not an intermission.  

 

 

 

That’s all philosophical and what not!

[clueless 2,976]

Kevin, ROPS are pretty much roll bars for small tractors, garden tractors and Z- turns. They are like the cage on a fork lift if you don't have a seat belt or you don't use one it's kind of a moot point .

Edited October 29, 2022 by clueless

[wh500special 2,163]

It might be a long shot, but since Toro sold a ROPS for the 5xi maybe you can find one.  I’m sure it was value priced.   I think it mounted underneath similarly to what you’re considering. 
 

Height wise I wonder if there is a line you’d draw from the top of the roll bar to the leading edge of the hood.  You’d probably not want that line to intersect your head.  
 

If I got paid by the word I could have retired years ago…

 

Steve

Edited October 27, 2022 by wh500special