Hayter take the initiative on ROPS

With immediate effect all Hayter ride-on machines will be supplied as standard with ROPS. The legal situation currently is that mounting points for ROPS must be made available on all new ride-on grass cutting machinery but in practice most companies will also supply the ROPS as well. There is however, no legal requirement for the end user to fit ROPS. Hayter have continually lobbied the industry to fit ROPS as standard and have now taken the initiative. The decision has been taken purely on the grounds of safety.

The problem of grass cutting machinery rolling over and causing serious injuries or death to the operator has always been around. No matter how experienced and skilled the operator is and how well he knows the area, an undulation or hollow can dramatically change the angle of the machine in a split second with potentially disastrous consequences. The only certain way of minimising injuries and fatalities to the operator is to ensure that, in the unlikely event that a machine does roll over, the operator is held securely in position on the seat by a safety harness and protected from injury by a ROPS frame or cab.

Commenting on the decision David Sturges, Sales and Marketing Director for Hayter said. "Many end users already specify ROPS as standard and their use is steadily increasing. What we are doing is a logical progression and underlines our continuing commitment to operator safety. It is important to note that not all ROPS frames and cabs are tested to the same standards. All ROPS fitted to Hayter manufactured products are tested to stringent European standards."

The photo shows a Hayter LT324 fitted with ROPS.

For more information regarding Hayter, their products and services please visit www.hayter.co.uk or telephone 01279 723444.