ROPS Designs for Tractors

Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) are needed on tractors to prevent crushing the driver in case of a rollover. When used with a seatbelt, ROPS are 99% effective at preventing death or serious injury in the the event of a rollover. A current need in the United States is to retrofit older tractors with ROPS. The overall goal of this project was to develop and evaluate a computer-based ROPS design program (CRDP). This program produces a ROPS design for tractors manufactured to have a ROPS but for which actual designs are lacking.

The ROPS design process is not a simple straight-forward procedure and requires experience and engineering analysis to develop a feasible ROPS design. This project developed a prog​ram to provide ROPS retrofit designs (based on SAE J2194) for tractors that were engineered to receive a ROPS but for which ROPS designs are lacking. Without requiring specialized/expensive software, the program provides a design (and associated mechanical drawings) that is easy to construct and install by ROPS manufacturers. For each design, the program also provides an inventory parts list and associated material costs. This eases material acquisition and feasibility.

After user feedback, a tablet app was developed that integrates with the computer-based ROPS design program. The app displays photos of the tractor components to be measured and allows the user to input these dimensions directly into the app.

The program is available to ROPS manufacturers. For questions or for access to the program, contact Paul Ayers.

Funded By: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Funding Period: 2011-2016

PUBLICATIONS

Development and Evaluation of a Computer-Based ROPS Design Program.
PD Ayers, F Khorsandi, Y John, G Whitaker. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health 2016. 22(4): 247-260.