Roll-Over Protective Structures for Farm and Construction Tractors - A 50-Year Review

Over the past 50 years, an estimated 30,000 tractor operators have been accidentally crushed under their overturned vehicles. During that time, stability, preventive devices, and education have been tried to reduce the number of such accidents. Within the past 15 years, worldwide activity has been concentrated on developing adequate roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for operator protection. In order to measure the adequacy of the structures, various worldwide performance standards have been created. The latest include those of the SAE, which recognizes the need for a ROPS to absorb energy in order to minimize injury to the operator.