Wisconsin Ag Connection - UW-Extension Makes the Case for ROPS on All Tractors

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UW-Extension Makes the Case for ROPS on All Tractors
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 03/30/2017

With tractor rollovers being the leading cause of death among all farm fatalities, the University of Wisconsin-Extension is encouraging producers to add rollover protective structure to their tractors.

Extension Bio Systems Specialist John Shutske says even in cases where accident victims do survive, those operators lose an average of 70 work days and often see property damage of at least $900,000 per incident.

"A properly designed and installed rollover protective structure used in combination with a seatbelt is almost 100 percent effective at preventing injury and death to the operator if a rollover happens," Shutske said. "Still, about half of tractors on farms do not have rollover protection."

A variety of public and private organizations have come together to provide significant rebates to assist with the costs of installing a ROPS on unprotected tractors.

One of the key partners with the National ROPS Rebate Program in Wisconsin is the National Farm Medicine Center in Marshfield. Their program offers up to a 70 percent rebate on ROPS and seatbelts that can be applied toward a ROPS kit, shipping and professional installation.

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