FOPS Level II vs. Level I Certification (Falling Object Protective Structure)

A prime objective of Marketing and Design Engineering is to find unique features that are clear benefits to our customers and give our product an advantage over the competition. FOPS Level II certification has been an exclusive standard feature in Mustang skid loaders. All other manufacturers provide Level I standard with most offering Level II as an option at additional cost. To effectively sell a feature, you must know the feature and understand the benefits. First and foremost is Greater Operator Protection. We accomplish this without affecting the height profile of the machine. FOPS certification is defined in ISO 3449. Level II must absorb 8.5 times more impact energy than Level I (11,600 J vs. 1365 J) Level I is intended for protection from falling bricks, small concrete blocks and hand

tools encountered in highway maintenance, landscaping and other construction site services. (Section 4.4a)

Level II is intended for protection from falling trees or rocks for machines involved in site clearing, overhead demolition or forestry. (Section 4.4b)

Drop objects are significantly different.

Drop test consists of 3 hits from a height of approximately 17 feet above the top of the ROPS. A DLV (Deflection Limiting Volume) is positioned in the ROPS to represent a large operator. First drop is directly over the operators head. Second drop is into the skylight area. Third drop is onto the ROPS bill. No damage can result in any contact with the operator/DLV. We have optimized the design of our structure to achieve Level II certification with minimal cost. Our Level II design is only $4.00 (approx.) more than Level I.

Level I drop object is a solid steel ball: 45 kg mass (100 lbs.) 250mm (9.84) max. diameter Level II drop object is solid steel bullet: 227 kg mass (500 lbs.) 260 mm (10.2) max diameter 585 mm (23) tall tapers to 204mm (8) striking face