She Said Yes to Tractor Safety
A ROPS Engagement Story
When planning his engagement to his girlfriend, Logan wasn’t waiting for a “yes.” Instead, Breanna was waiting for a ROPS.
After dating for five years, Logan knew he had found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Breanna wanted the same, but when thinking about her future as a farmer’s wife, she knew Logan would face some unique risks throughout their life together. So, she made a plan of her own.
Agriculture has long been one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S. Historically, the most common cause of on-farm fatalities and severe injuries has been tractor rollovers. As many as 80% of deaths due to a rollover happen to experienced farmers. In non-fatal incidents, one out of seven overturns results in a permanent disability.
Breanna’s plan was simple: she wouldn’t say yes unless Logan had his International 1066 retrofitted with a ROPS first. “This tractor is his life,” she said, “and now its mine.”
Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) are 99% effective (when used with a seatbelt) in saving lives and preventing severe injuries in the event of a tractor rollover. This simple safety measure would give Breanna enough peace of mind to say yes, knowing her future husband would be protected on his vintage tractor.
Because ROPS (also known as rollbars) weren’t considered standard equipment until 1985, roughly half of tractors in operation in the U.S. today still do not have rollover protection. The National ROPS Rebate Program (NRRP) is an evidence-based program working to reduce that percentage by making retrofitting easy and affordable.
The NRRP provides support along every step of the retrofit process, starting with finding the right ROPS for each tractor. (The program website, www.ROPSr4u.org, even has a library of before and after photos for most models.) Participants in New York will receive a rebate for up to 70% of the purchase plus installation, with a maximum out-of-pocket cost of $500. (Rebate rates vary by state.)
Since its foundation, the NRRP has made life-saving retrofits possible on more than 3,700 tractors around the country, including Logan’s.
Once his retrofit was complete, Logan was able to propose with both the ROPS and a ring, thanks to the National ROPS Rebate Program.
“I told her in the beginning that farming was a huge part of me,” he said. “Even with me buying a lot for my tractor and making it look nice, she still wanted to stay and said yes!”
Congratulations to the happy couple!
To learn more about the National ROPS Rebate Program, visit www.ROPSr4u.org, email info@ROPSr4u.org, or call 877-767-7748. To learn more about NYCAMH, visit www.nycamh.org, email info@nycamh.org, or call 607-547-6023.
