Tractor Safety Advice

matthew123

Inspiration before caution, I bought a Ford 4000 at auction at a couldn't miss price. A good tractor, but no cab or ROPS. Now I start to think of the dangers in just wanting to top my field and not be in the hands of contractors that don't appear. Is there any solution to making the tractor safe? I got a quote for a cab at about twice the cost of the tractor. Is there anyone that makes simple Rollbars that will attach and give a good safety factor?

JohnBoy

you should be able to pick up a roll frame second hand.

I got a fine sturdy one for my 20 earlier in the year, paid around 200 for it, big heavy yoke, but worth having in my opinion.

I do wonder how all these lads going on vintage runs in their old tractors get away with it.

it'd be great when restoring cars if you could just whip off the hard/ugly parts and not have to put them back on.

matthew123

Ireland ahead in laws but behind in implementation. Searching for "rollbars ireland" or "ROPS ireland" brings up legislation but not a flicker of anyone making or selling. Starting to think that insurance laws don't allow people to manufacture these. I am anticipating getting the welder out and lashing up one, like I see on American Ford 4000 where they obviously don't have the legislation.

powerfarmer

Don't know about roll frames but these guys make neat cabs to fit various tractors, http://www.candgengineering.com/ met them at the ploughing they said the cabs are fully ROPS approved and tested.

kevkeegan

i was talking to the cab makers at the ploughing too,the cheapest they'd do it for was around 2700,and that was from their yard with wiring on cab as an extra, to be honest i thought they were very pricey as most of the tractors those cabs would be going on would only be worth around that

Casinoking

It's illegal to use a tractor in Ireland without some kind of ROPS, and has been for the best part of 40 years. Never heard of anyone being prosecuted for it though, and you still see a lot of 35s and the like without them, but the way all these inspections are going it would be a good idea to sort one out. I'd imagine nobody is making them commercially anymore because there's simply no demand, any good engineering workshop should throw one together for you cheap enough. Just make sure it's bolted to the tractor and not welded. Alternatively try an ad in the local papers for a second hand cab, a lot of the guys restoring vintage tractors take the cabs off because it's too hard to get replacement doors etc

DanFindy

Lad i have a cab for a Ford 4000 ere its in reasonable nick needs a couple a panes a glass and a roof but an excellent frame and the doors are v good too only needing a clean down and repaint if its any good to ya it will be far away pricewise from 2700. The top of the cab is flat too so if u dont want t go for an original roof a sheet a flat tin a few self tappers and a bit of windscreen bonding to make a seal and hey presto perfect roof for about well 20 quid;)

And a lot warmer than a roll bar:rolleyes:

DanFindy

powerfarmer wrote: »

Don't know about roll frames but these guys make neat cabs to fit various tractors, http://www.candgengineering.com/ met them at the ploughing they said the cabs are fully ROPS approved and tested.

Them lads are off there heads price wise, v basic cab little or no soundproofing, small wee doors, average quality material used....and now i hear someone say wiring and lights are extra ffs:eek:

JohnBoy

No they're not.

Look at the amount of component parts that make up one of those cabs, their's a lot of fabrication in them, plus the costs of design and equipment. I dont think the C&G cabs are particularly nice, but they're not massively expensive for a low volume product made in this country.

DanFindy

Sorry but i cant agree with you there lad almost 3k for a cab then fit it wire it etc, steel prices have plumetted and flat glass was never that expensive. I know a fella near me that makes replica super duncan cabs to order and doesnt charge that. Once you have a jig set up all you have to do is clamp all pieces in place then weld em up, this lad has a jig for the mudguard sections the frame itslf and the doors. Weld it up bolt the sections together paint er up stick in the glass wire er up and away ya go, for anywhere like an engineering works that has access to equipment and personnel its not rocket science they are after all a very 'square' piece of kit, its all about supply and competition as for competition they dont have any so they can charge what they like...

powerfarmer

Regarding the price of the cabs, I work for a company that builds electrical test machines.
The frames for the machines are a similar size to a tractor cab and involve a similar level of fabrication. Box section steel frame, clad in folded panels, toughened glass windows in the doors, various locks hinges etc ,rubber seals on doors, powder coat painted and they are all assembled on various jigs and assembly fixtures and use CNC cutting and folding.

The frames and associated metalwork are supplied by various large engineering companies but the current supplier, are one of the most competitive in the country on price at the moment .
Price: €4k. for one unit or €3400 each if a quantity of 5 are ordered together. and that is at €940 cheaper than they were 18 months ago.
Thats the price of low volume metal fabrication here at the moment.
Now dont shoot me! , thats just the way it is here.