Stanley Appleton introduces ROPS for pickups

Stanley Appleton Manufacturing has introduced a roll over protection structure (ROPS) that affixes to the cab of a pickup truck.

“We were already manufacturing ROPS and FOPS (fall on protection structures) for bulldozers and underground utility vehicles when we received a call asking us about pickup trucks,” said Sahil Bhardwaj, assistant manager for Stanley Appleton. “It has been in the works for two years but we decided to really pursue it this year.”

Sudbury-based Stanley Appleton is a general fabricating company with a wide variety of experience and skills in both design and manufacturing. The company is known for its custom work, as well as multiple runs for items such as ductwork, mine cars, mine personnel carriers, mining doors and cyclones.

The roll over protection assembly is an aluminum structure designed to protect drivers and passengers in the event of a rollover. Fall on protection structures protect the occupants from falling objects such as rocks. The structures can also be made of steel depending on the weight of the vehicle.

Interest in ROPS for pickup trucks comes primarily from mining companies in the far northern areas of Canada such as Yellowknife in the North West Territories.  Exploration companies are also interested because they are driving trucks through the bush.

“In countries like South Africa and Chile, it is a legal requirement to have a canopy on the roof and, because many Canadian mining companies operate internationally, the safety measure is being extended across company locations,” said Bhardwaj.

The structure can be installed on Ford, Dodge Ram, GMC, Toyota and Nissan trucks.

Stanley Appleton is able to build the structures, as well as test and install them in-house.

Dan Rigby, a Stanley Appleton engineer who worked with Bhardwaj to develop the structures, said they are still in the final production stage.  “We have made a prototype and continue to test.  Once the paperwork is done to back up the safety requirements, we will begin marketing.”

Bhardwaj points out that the company performs its testing in accordance with ISO standards and that each structure will have a safety certification tag. “We put the ROPS on the jig and test for strength.  We also roll the truck down a cliff. That’s the fun test,” said Rigby. “We make sure it stands up to the documentation.”

The ROPS is easily installed with bolts and the plan is to ship the structures in one or two pieces that customers can easily install themselves. ROPS can also be easily transferred to another vehicle.  A back rack or toolbox can also be supplied.