Roll Bar / Roll Cage

Anyone here ever thought about adding a roll bar or roll cage? I have been wondering about one.

I haven’t got an off roader to try it on but I always thought it would be cool to make one if for no other reason than a point for some lights like the kids used to have on the 4x4s back in the 80s. Something like this I guess.

In practicality they are most appreciated when you go over backwards and they save you from a broken tailbone or much worse. I have known of acquaintances who were driving tricycle full sized tractors and they were killed when it flipped over on a creek bank. A lawn tractor is a only about 6-700 lbs granted, but I wouldn’t take any chances. I think if it looks cool and it helps you in a crisis then it would likely be beneficial. Hopes this helps you.

It does help thanks. I think the hardest part would be making it strong enough while still looking cool.

A lot of utility tractors have a ROPS (roll over protection system). Basically a single roll hoop around the driver slightly behind the seat. My grandmas JD 770 has one. Idk how it would look on a lawn tractor, but it would give a nice high mounting point for a light bar or pods like @rustbucket garage said

I see what you mean with the 770, Yeah I was thinking something like the one in my picture.. I need to find a better full back seat with a seat belt too.

I thought about a “roll bar” on the hood right in front of the steering wheel just a little higher than the wheel to protect it during roll overs. But I didn’t think it would look too good so I figured it’s better to just get a new steering wheel once in awhile.

Question: are you concerned about rolling over from speed, or high angles from trail crawling?

I'd want to protect from all of those possible cases in the event of a rollover. I will not consider my project done until it runs and rides like an ATV. I just don't really want it to look ugly and I think Mr modified is right, it probably wouldn't look very good. I'm planning on finding a seat with a three-point harness, once I get a hold of one of those, it will be easier to design the roll bar.

I still wouldn’t feel safe strapping myself to a lawn tractor unless there’s a full cage, front downbars included.

Rolling sideways into a tree with nowhere to go would suck. A roll hoop behind the seat would only stop the tractor from crushing you against the ground, but won’t stop it from crushing you against anything else

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

I still wouldn’t feel safe strapping myself to a lawn tractor unless there’s a full cage, front downbars included.

Rolling sideways into a tree with nowhere to go would suck. A roll hoop behind the seat would only stop the tractor from crushing you against the ground, but won’t stop it from crushing you against anything else

I would agree, most scenarios it’s better to bail. That said a simple roll bar out the back wouldn’t look too bad and it would if nothin else keep the tractor from rolling backwards on top of you.

If you could sit low enough you might be able to make a full cage sorta like a quarter midget or sprint car. It may not look all that terrible if you had the tractor painted a bright color and the cage black. But I think you sot so high up on a tractor that might be a pain.