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Massey Harris & Massey Ferguson Tractors Discussion Forum
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MF135 ROPS plans available.

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Cobble Hill Far

08-10-2005 11:45:54




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Last year I looked into fitting a MF ROPS kit to my 135. Very expensive ($1200) and very long wait for kit. (3+ months.) I found an old MF brochure that showed a tractor with their ROPS on it. I copied it faithfully with the exception of using heavier steel for $350 plus 2 evenings fabricating. I used new steel, a good scrounger could reduce the cost significantly.

I will make a package available for the asking consisting of the drwgs, photos of my installation, and a copy of the original MF brochure photo. Use at your own risk and remember that if you install a ROPS you MUST install a seatbelt. Safe farming, Cheers Kevin . [email protected]

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krue

09-08-2006 12:45:08




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 Re: MF135 ROPS plans available. in reply to Cobble Hill Farm, 08-10-2005 11:45:54  
While the concerns may be valid, I'll never believe that no protection is better than too much protection. If my MF-135 isn't strong enough to stay in one piece when rolled over, then I'll be a dead man, but if it rolls over w/o any bar, I'm a dead man. I'll take my chances on the tractors strength and a home made rops.



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Thomas

08-10-2005 14:19:35




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 Re: MF135 ROPS plans available. in reply to Cobble Hill Farm, 08-10-2005 11:45:54  
Be VERY careful with ROPS's, they need to be tested to the necessary ISO standard, which is a destructive test, to be certified. This is why they are expensive to buy, it costs around 3000 GBP to carry out a test in UK. If you make up a ROPS yourself and it is not certified, it is not legal and you would get the book thrown at you if there was an accident. You need to provide drawings with the material spec's, welding information etc and demonstrate that these are being followed in manufacture. I don't know the US law on ROPS but here in UK it is required for all working tractors and must be fitted retrospectively to older tractors. We do not however require a seatbelt on agricultural applications, but do for construction equipment. I think that to make your own for your own use is fine but to provide drawings to others, even at their own risk, would leave you very vulnerable.

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Cobble Hill Farm

08-10-2005 23:08:42




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 Re: MF135 ROPS plans available. in reply to Thomas, 08-10-2005 14:19:35  
Thomas...Alas, most of what you say is true, certainly in the UK. In Canada, "approved" ROPS are required for tractors manufactured after 1976 and operated by an employee. Thankfully, personal responsability and initiative are still respected and the authorities appreciate any effort made to improve the safety of an operation. They are much happier with a well built ROPS, machine guard, or what have you instead of none at all-even though none may be permissable under the letter of the law.

I am puzzled why your ISO gung ho authorities would allow an ag tractor to operate without a seatbelt? What is the point of fitting a fancy certified and tested ROPS if you end up pinned underneath it? Thanks for your info on life accross the pond, Kevin.

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IMKCMAC

08-19-2005 22:19:18




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 Re: MF135 ROPS plans available. in reply to Cobble Hill Farm, 08-10-2005 23:08:42  
Kevin,
I recieved the pics and sketch today.Wow!colored pictures even.Hey guys,if you are wanting to put a rops on you tractor,this is the way to go,Kevin has done all the work!It looks very good on your tractor.Even if you can't weld,you could cut the material up and take it to a welding shop.I will definately start on one for my tractor this winter. Thanks alot for the sketch, materials list and colored pics Kevin.Jerry

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DavidP, South Wales

08-11-2005 11:41:46




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 Re: MF135 ROPS plans available. in reply to Cobble Hill Farm, 08-10-2005 23:08:42  
Hello,
I would totally agree with Thomas. You are making yourself very vulnerable to suggest to others that they might fabricate a ROPS strong enough to withstand an accident. Does your have a basic 'hoop' around the driver, or is it a four leg safety frame? My understanding of the UK law is that any tractor operated by an employee must have an approved device. Classic and older tractors need not have a device if only driven by the owner and used for display purposes. They don't mind you killing yourself, but don't kill your employees!!!!
Agreed, that a device is better than none. Perhaps there is a market there somewhere. 'Roll-bars' for MF 135's and similar normally reach a secondhand price of around �100-200 ($140-240) in the UK. They would not be approved for use in Canada, but they would be safe.
Would like to know more about how yours is constructed.
Regards
DavidP

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Cobble Hill Farm

08-13-2005 13:53:21




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 Re: MF135 ROPS plans available. in reply to DavidP, South Wales, 08-11-2005 11:41:46  
David...email me your address and I will mail you the package. (Original photo of MF ROPS on MF tractor from sales brochure, photos of my installation, and set of dwgs. to fabricate frame.)I would be interested in your thoughts on it. I have copied the MF installation and frame exactly with the exception of using heavier steel. (I could not obtain 3"X6"X 3/16" wall stock so went to 1/4" wall) The disadvantage of using the heavier steel is that it would raise the center of gravity of the tractor and make it slightly more prone to tipping over in the first place. Obviously, to safely fabricate this you must be capable of making sound welds in heavy steel.The whole assembly weighs about 250 lbs including roof. Cheers Kevin.

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Thomas

08-14-2005 15:15:19




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 Re: MF135 ROPS plans available. in reply to Cobble Hill Farm, 08-13-2005 13:53:21  
Just thought I'd add this as an asside. The ROPS structure needs to deform in order to absorb the energy of an impact, like the crumple zone of a car. Therefore although a heavier frame may be stronger in itself it may fail a test which a lighter one would pass. For example it may fail the mountings, bolts or even trumpet housings first, a catastrophic failure of which would be far more damaging than a deformed ROPS.

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