Workable Headlights

[lakngulf]

I can see that I will be using my tractor a lot at night, especially this time of the year. I have read some threads about adding work lights that are not totally blocked by the FEL. I would like to know a good "1, 2, 3, ..." process for doing that on a Kioti CK30. I am pretty sure I could do it myself but need to know what to look out for, where exactly to plug in the light wire, where best to install a switch (or have them work off existing switch).

I understand the controversy over drilling in the roll bar. Are there lights that attach with U bolts, or C Clamps? I think I would like two lights forward and one facing the 3pt attachment. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[MichiganIron]

We have a Bolt-On work light system for the CK series tractors. (2) forward and (1) rear work light, complete with switches and harnesses. You can contact us through our website, or send a PM. We would be happy to answer any questions you have.

 

[Reg]

My first reaction of course is to just ask you to ALWAYS carry the loader low enough to see over it and for your headlights to shine over it.
NEVER UNDER IT !!!
Most tractors are designed to work quite well this way, it encourages the discipline of ALWAYS CARRY LOW.

OK, since work habits wasn't what you asked about the ROPS question is probably best solved with simple bracketry and square U-bolts.

 

[ToadHill]

Reg: your suggestion makes complete sense, however Kioti buckets are designed such that if you carry them that low, they will hit every high spot on the ground between you and where ever you are going.

Even with them sitting on the ground, the headlights hit the rear of the bucket. Not the best design in the world.

 

[lakngulf]

Add to that, much of my night work could be WITH the bucket. I have used it a little bit at night, and, as I had read on this forum, the existing lights offer little help. Loading and unloading on trailer was my first night experience. In order to see, the bucket had to be higher than I wanted it to be.

 

[Reg]

Add to that, much of my night work could be WITH the bucket. I have used it a little bit at night, and, as I had read on this forum, the existing lights offer little help. Loading and unloading on trailer was my first night experience. In order to see, the bucket had to be higher than I wanted it to be.

Sorry 'bout that; I didn't know that the specific make/model has it's headlights at exactly the WRONG height.
I would probably have same/similar problems with pallet forks, IF there was a night need for me to use them (-:

Since my last post I have thought it through a bit more and if I were to add work lights to mine I would probably get square U-bolts to go OVER the top of the ROPS and a length of perforated angle iron to run between them, then hang the lights UNDER that at or close to the corners;
a) Keeps them under the ROPS so branches and other low clearance things don't decapitate them.
b) At the corners means away from my head.
c) perforated angle offers so many choices.

I would probably "cross the beams" to get a wider angle of coverage, which matters more than range at tractor speeds.

 

[Gittyup]

MI,

How long have you been offering this? I made mine, and I think I committed on here that Kioti should sell a roll bar light kit as an option. Guess you thought the same thing and took it upon yourself to create it? I probably would have bought it rather than make it, if you had this (and I knew about it) when I put mine on. Can you post a photo?

Yes the OEM headlights are almost worthless with the bucket on.

I mounted two front, one back on a piece of unistrut ubolted to the roll bar. Wired directly to the customer fuse through a marine grade toggle switch mounted on the rear of the 3ph lift lever plastic cover. Much like some others have done. The type of light you choose can make the job easier. Make sure you use lights that already have adjustable pivots. I used trapezoidal, rectangular lights that had little to no adjustment out of the box. So I had to fabricate my own pivots and weld them to the unistrut.

Buy the kit from MI. It'll save you a lot of time and trouble.

 

[malk315]

Hey MichiganIron-

Looked at your website quickly and couldn't find pictures of the work light kit.
Can you post some (the kit parts laid out on a table and installed perhaps?)

When (not if) I'm ready to add lights to my CK-20 I'll be giving you a call.
I'd much rather get a kit than make my own stuff.

I'm planning on adding a rear snowblower now that my driveway is 2.5 times longer than my old house and a couple rear lights plus a front light would be really handy on those nights of snow blowing etc...

Thanks.

 

[MichiganIron]

We appologize for not having pictures. The idea for the worklight kit came from a TBN Member. We have been doing them for customers on a "by request" basis, the good TBN'er suggested we put it together in a kit and offer it for others to install.

We now do offer as a kit, depending on the tractor model. Kits are made up by order. The price is the same for any model. Kits are complete with light bar, lights (2 forward/1 rear), harnesses and switches.

 

[PA hayseed]

Michigan iron -

My last attempt at lights did not go so well, I couldn't figure out the grounding problem became agitated and smashed em. They were el cheapos, so no real meaningful loss. Are the lights movable, and how much for shipping (PA)? Do they come with instructions for the easily annoyed by minor problems?