Rollover Protective Structures On Tractors Module One

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Rollover Protective Structures On
TractorsModule One

• The Real Reasons For ROPS

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What You Will Learn

• Rollover Protective Structures are called ROPS
• Why do tractors need ROPS?
• What happens if my tractor rolls over?
• What are some rollover prevention strategies?
• Where can I buy ROPS?

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What Are ROPS?

• ROPS are
• Rollover Protective Structures. They are a frame
  or cab that creates a protective zone around the
  operator. They virtually eliminate tractor
  rollover fatalities when used properly.

These are ROPS
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What is a Protective Zone?

• Protective Zone
• An imaginary space surrounding an operators
  body. ROPS and a seatbelt keeps the operator
  within this safe space in the event of a rollover.

This is the Protective Zone
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WARNING !!!

• If your tractor does not have ROPS
• DO
• Consult an authorized dealership or the
  manufacturer to purchase and install ROPS.
• NEVER
• Make and install ROPS yourself.

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WARNING !!!

• You should not make and install ROPS yourself
• BECAUSE
• ROPS are specifically engineered for each
  individual tractor model,
• engineered to structurally support the tractor
  weight in the event of a rollover,
• engineered to protect the life of the operator.

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Why Do Tractors Need ROPS?
According to the University of Iowa Agricultural
Center

• Tractors that roll over without ROPS 75
  chance of operator death

• With ROPS and seatbelts
• 95 chance of walking away from the
  accident

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Why Do Tractors Need ROPS?
According to the University of Iowa Agricultural
Center

• In 76 fatal rollover cases studied
• All 76 victims were operating tractors without
  ROPS and seatbelts.

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Why Do Tractors Need ROPS?

• Because you DONT want this to happen

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Basic Cause of Rollovers

• Rollovers happen when the center of gravity
  passes over the baseline of stability, either to
  the side or the rear of the machine.
• The center of gravity must be kept within the
  baseline of stability to keep the tractor right
  side up.

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How Do ROPS Work?

• With ROPS, the tractor often rolls just 90
  degrees, keeping the operator in a safe zone.
• ROPS, and a seatbelt prevents the operator from
  being thrown off the tractor and being crushed by
  the tractor, or being thrown into the ground or
  into surrounding objects.

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How Do ROPS Work?

• You must wear the seatbelt or ROPS are worthless.
  Tighten the seatbelt sufficiently, so you stay in
  the protective zone. Wear the seatbelt always,
  even on flat ground.

ROPS
Seatbelt
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How Do ROPS Work?

• The next two slides show a tractor with ROPS in a
  side rollover.
• Side rollovers account for about 75 of all
  rollovers.
• Notice how an operator could survive the roll by
  staying within the safe area.

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Tractor is heading towards depressions in the
side of the hill.
Front wheels catch the depressions and start the
roll
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Definitely past the point of no return.
With ROPS and seatbelt, operator has an excellent
chance of surviving a side rollover.
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How Side Rollovers Happen

• When the tractor is driven on a hillside that is
  too steep.
• When the tractor bucket is elevated too high for
  a given load, driven on a hillside that is too
  steep, or is turned at excessive speed.
• When the tractor is driven too close to the edge
  of the road, a ditch, or other steep slope.

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To Belt or Not?

• Just in case you think you might consider
  skipping using the seatbelt, look at the next
  slide and see what can happen.

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Operator
Even though this tractor had ROPS, the seatbelt
was not used, causing the operator to be ejected
from the protective zone.
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How Do ROPS Work?

• What about a rear rollover?

With ROPS and seatbelt, operator has an excellent
chance of being contained in the protective zone
and surviving a rear rollover.
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How Rear Rollovers Happen

• Tractors will easily tip to the rear when the
  rear wheels cannot rotate enough to move the
  tractor forward.
• As the tractor front rises, momentum and engine
  power work together to keep the tractor body
  lifting and rotating.
• The process can take less than ¾ of a second.

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How Rear Rollovers Happen

• Five situations causing rear rollovers
• Stuck in mud or snow, prevents rear wheels from
  rotating.
• Rear wheels cannot turn because chains, boards,
  or other materials are used to improve traction
  and actually prevent the wheels from turning.
• Tractor is climbing a hill that is too steep. The
  steeper the hill, the greater the risk.

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How Rear Rollovers Happen (Cont.)

• Five situations causing rear rollovers,
• - With the transmission in a lower gear and
  the engine running at high speed, the clutch
  is released too quickly.
• A load is hitched above the drawbar.

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Prevention Strategies

• To Prevent Side Rollovers
• Set wheels at widest possible setting for the
  job.
• Lock brake pedals for road travel.
• Reduce speed while turning, crossing slopes, and
  on rough, slick, or muddy terrain.
• Watch where you are going, look out for bumps,
  stumps, holes, etc.

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Prevention Strategies

• To Prevent Side Rollovers (Cont.)
• Avoid steep slopes if possible.
• Keep side mounted equipment on uphill side of
  slope.
• Pull heavy loads at slow speeds.
• Avoid driving too close to ditches, stream banks,
  and canals.

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Prevention Strategies

• To Prevent Rear Rollovers
• Hitch towed loads to the drawbar only.
• Use weight to increase stability.
• Start forward motion slowly and change speed
  gradually.
• Back up steep slopes.

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Prevention Strategies - Training

• Of the many tractor injuries and deaths that
  happen, few are caused by machinery failure.
• Most are caused, directly or indirectly, by
  carelessness and hurry.
• Every operator should be trained in safe
  operating procedures.
• See the presentation Ten Commandments of Tractor
  Safety

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Prevention Strategies - Training

• The operator must be aware of the ever-changing
  environment and be able to react accordingly.
• For examples, operators must know
• When a hillside too steep for safe travel
• When an elevated load too high for a given speed
• See Training Requirements for ROPS

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Where Do I Buy ROPS?

• If your tractor does not have a ROPS
• Check with your local dealership or contact the
  tractor manufacturer.
• Many manufacturers will sell ROPS at cost.
• Check this publication
• A Guide to Agricultural Tractor Rollover
  Protective Structures

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• Thank you for taking the time to learn about
  safety and health and how to prevent future
  injuries.
• Learn about the Rules for Rollover Protective
  Structures On Tractors in Module Two.