Rollover Protection Device Sources

[gdo2444]

Maybe I've missed it, but in all the discussions I've seen, I've read that rollover protection devices are needed, and I agree; but where do you find these for older tractors, for example, the old Farmalls? Can someone point me to some sources? Thanks.

 

[Hugh MacKay]

I doubt if these are available anywhere. Builders of such devices must accept liability should it fail. If you add that laibility cost to the cost of producing the roll over protection. The roll over device would cost twice as much as tractor. There is just not enough market for anyone to justify doing the engineering.

 

[David A. Hodson]

Hugh, there is a guy thats making replica"s of the 2 post canopies on the 06, 26, 56, and the 66 series and they an exact match other than their not ROPS certified due to liabilty just like you said so they call them SUNSHADES. I bought one for my 766D and just love it. David

 

[K.B.-826]

What model tractor? Like the other guys said, liability is a huge issue, and only a properly installed factory IH ROPS will meet those requirements. IH did offer factory ROPS for most bigger tractors built in the 1960's and up, and smaller ones in the late '70's and up. You should be able to find one of those in a salvage yard for a small fortune. If it's older than that, IH probably did not even offer a ROPS kit, as the mounting points on the tractor may not have been strong enough. I will agree that I'd rather have one of those non-certified aftermarket "sunshades" that are exact reproductions of the originals than nothing, as the ones I've seen are very well built, and just might save your life. Remember that the ROPS is worthless unless you are wearing a properly installed seatbelt.

 

[gdo2444]

In particular, older Farmalls. A,B,C,H,and Ms. Does anyone make aftermarket rollover protection devices?

 

[K.B.-826]

Not that I know of. I think you'd have seat/seatbelt issues with those tractors.

 

[GeneMO]

So maybe we could sue the various bar associations that represent attorneys. Their crooked lawyers are causing the liability issue, so we cannot have access to safety equipment that may save our lives? I say put a season on them with no limit.


Gene

 

[Hugh MacKay]

Gene: That idea is not new, however no one ever seems to take any action.

 

[Daniel H.]

Here is a link to all certified ROPS retrofits for older tractors. Click on the ROPS guide once the page opens. I saw the 100/130/140 and the Super C and several others.
ROPS sources

 

[Anonymous-0]

I needs a ROPS also. I searched several times and found they did make one for the 2500 constructal (only makes sense) however finding one has been a chore. Need a seatbelt too. Dont like the feeling driving without ROPS Im used to them on newer backhoes! Plus its a nice spot for a tarp on rainy days and extra lights on rear bar.

 

[Anonymous-0]

P.S. daniel site isnt working right. It says select tractor make and doesnt show a sinlge thing under it hahaha. I used Opera and IE 7 neither worked, being a webmaster myself Id say they have some server side issues with the .jsp

 

[gdo2444]

It's a sad state of affairs when people are discouraged from building a device that would save people's lives, for fear that the one or two lives/arms/legs that might be lost would result in a lawsuit that would put the designer/manufacturer out of business. Wouldn't the "greater good" concept - saving the majority of people's lives - outweigh the possibility that no invention is perfect?
Ah, there I go using common sense and right and wrong to answer questions again. I'm going to have to stop doing that.
It just seems that if someone designs a rollover protection device that substantially works as it should ought to be encouraged, since the alternative is to continue to use these machines without any protection at all, dramatically more dangerous than using a good, but imperfect, ROPS.
Shakespeare was only slightly over the top when he used the expression, "Kill the lawyers".

 

[John-Paul T]

I read into this a bit it isnt just hte insurance. The real reason is the have to be OSHA certified which requires static and test crashes. Now who is gonna buy a bunch of old machines just intentionally wreck them to test ROPS? THink about car crash tests thats similar. They have to prove the ROPS works or it wont pass. That, right there is the real cost. After it passes the co that makes it will be insured no fear of being sued there. :wink: