Frequently Asked Questions about ROPS
My land is flat, why do I need a ROPS?
Why can't I just make my own ROPS?
Why should my ROPS be certified?
How do I know if my ROPS is certified?
Q. My land is flat, why do I need a ROPS?
A. Every tractor should be fitted with a ROPS. Contrary to popular belief, there doesn't need to be a steep slope for a rollover to occur. 60% of tractor roll overs occur on slopes of 5 degrees or less!
An experienced farmer died in this roll over, which occurred on flat land. It is highly likely that a ROPS would have saved him.
Most experienced tractor operators will tell you, if pressed, that they have had a close shave with a roll over. Unfortunately, some of these operators will still say they don't need a ROPS. However, research studies have shown that for every work-related death, there are 600 near misses!
Q. Why can't I just make my own ROPS?
A. ROPS design and functionality is counter-intuitive or in other words, not what people expect. This is why most people, even Agricultural dealers, do not understand the safety principles of a ROPS. They think that a super-strong, rigid structure will afford greater protection.
When the tractor above flipped backwards, this homemade ROPS tore away at the axle housing, instantly crushing the 14-year-old operator to death. The ROPS was undamaged.
A ROPS is not meant to be rigid and must be able to absorb energy, similar to the crumple zone of a car or a crash helmet. In the event of a roll over, this ability to absorb a discrete amount of energy, while maintaining a zone of clearance or protection, helps to prevent the tractor from pole-vaulting downhill. It also helps to prevent the energy generated from the roll over, from being transferred to the tractor itself. Not only does this lessen the likelihood of major damage to the tractor, more importantly, it reduces the likelihood of serious injury or death, as a consequence of the tractor's being torn apart. Many countries have stringent guidelines for the provision of ROPS, usually called a Standard.
Q. Why should my ROPS be certified?
A. A certified ROPS is one that displays a written declaration that states the ROPS complies with a (SAFETY) Standard.
It is the manufacturer or a qualified ROPS engineer that certifies a ROPS, not a regulatory body such as OSHA or Workcover, whose role is to enforce compliance with a relevant standard or regulation.
The only way that a manufacturer knows that a ROPS is compliant with the Standard, is to test it in accordance with the Standard. There is no guess work involved and a test always yields discrete, measurable data that is collated within a Test Report. This report is proof that the ROPS has either satisifed or failed the requirements of the Standard.
Hercules ROPS employs full destructive testing on every model of ROPS, FOPS and seatbelt that it supplies, to ensure compliance with relevant Standards. We never rely on computer simulations or estimation.
The ability or inability of a ROPS to meet the requirements of an appropriate Standard, may be the difference between life and death in a roll over incident.
Q. How do I know if my ROPS is certified?
A. A certified ROPS will have a certification plate that displays:
- Manufacturer's name and address
- The Standard/s to which the ROPS complies
- Test No. (that corresponds to a test report)
- Test Date
- ROPS Serial No.
- A maximum weight that is certified and/or the specific tractor models that are covered by the certification.
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