The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

I did a search here on ROPS but only found a few threads dealing with the necessity for them.

I have some hilly acreage and want one for the inevitable unforeseen event. I've tried Hercules in Australia because their web site said they had one. However, they now tell me that the one they have doesn't work/fit. They said that the one they had for the major evidently did not work on one built in England for some reason. Does anyone know of a manufacturer who sells a ROPS for the Major?

That sounds strange as all Majors were built in England! The rear axle where the frame bolts is the same.

I know!!!! The sales guy I talked to told me it had something to do with the width and it didn't make any sense to me either. Anyway if they don't want to sell me a ROPS I'm going to try to find someone who will ... any suggestions??

Sorry no, there used to be many here in the 1970's but most have fallen by the wayside. Do you have Lawrence Edwards over there? They made them at one time.

Try Flatford Engineering, York Rd, Elvington, York, sales@flatford.co.uk
They certainly make approved ROPS for Dexta and I expect major too.
But shipping from UK to Oz could be expensive.

Thanks but you are right, shipping would surely cost almost as much as the ROPS itself. I'm actually farther away than OZ ... Hawaii.

whirly wrote:Thanks but you are right, shipping would surely cost almost as much as the ROPS itself. I'm actually farther away than OZ ... Hawaii.

My Dexta ROPS from them was surprisingly cheap £120 a couple of years ago.

Thanks for the info. I sent off an inquiry just now.

Brian wrote:That sounds strange as all Majors were built in England! The rear axle where the frame bolts is the same.

I just found this from an Australian brochure for the "Farm Major" in the wiki section:



Is there any chance that the back end on the "Farm Major" is different than the Power Major OR that the Farm Major was a Dexta with a New Major engine

Farm Major is a Fordson Major Diesel built at the same time as the Power Major using the older, less powerful engine. The tractor is exactly the same as a Major.

All Majors from 1952 to 1964 used the same basic castings with very few differences. The only difference that might affect the ROP is the footplate position but this would only need tin work re-modelling.

Really sorry to hijack your thread, but what is a ROPS?

Nick wrote:Really sorry to hijack your thread, but what is a ROPS?

Roll Over Protection System... or in otherwords a roof ,and seat belt, that will support the tractor and keep the operator from being ejected and crushed in a roll over accident. Dandy Dave!

A picture is worth 1000 words:

Hi All, to further explain ROPS (OROPS open air roll over protection structure, EROPS enclosed roll over protection structure)
Cheers

Aha, i see. I need to get one really, i would feel a bit safer

Perhaps you or someone near by could fabricate a decent roll bar. They do come up for sale over here when the purists take them off but I would guess shipping prohibitive. In europe a home made effort would not be legal, at least if used by an employee.

essex pete wrote:Perhaps you or someone near by could fabricate a decent roll bar. They do come up for sale over here when the purists take them off but I would guess shipping prohibitive. In europe a home made effort would not be legal, at least if used by an employee.

Great Idea I found a picture of what I want to make on eBay UK:

Well gusseted and made from 3" square stock ... should work. I'll add a couple extra gussets bottom & top just for grins & giggles.

Might be worth incorporating hinges like this, if you need to go into buildings or under trees: