AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

[kiotiken]

Not as bad as I thought it would be, but I know it another unplanned expense and task for the oversize to do list. I broke the radio antenna off the roof myself. For a few months it was just duck taped to the side of the roof. Since I primarily listen to CDs I just tossed the antenna under the cab roof when I open it to fix the heater and epoxy the small broken roof piece back into place. I have to remind myself it's a tractor, it going get war wounds. I just hope those wounds always stay minor!

Ya, I tore the antenna off months ago! It went to one side of the shelter post and the tractor was on the other. Thankfully, it just snapped the antenna and didn't damage the roof. The radio also works just as well, so it's almost a bonus in my opinion. Sorry to hear about your roof, I'll let you know how mine works out.

 

[mpham]

Glad to see it looks like an easy fix. If it makes you feel better, I backed my 3 day old pickup into a dumpster. Just a small dent and broken paint but still irritated.

 

[CJONE]

Add me to the list of broken antennas mine broke out of the roof unfortunatly. Used black wire sealing tape and taped it too the outside of the roof. Nobody notices it and the stereo still works so quess what it is going to stay that way until I break something else. CJ

 

[kiotiken]

Well, I guess I wasn't as lucky as I thought with the antenna. When I took a closer look, it broke the roof there as well. I took the roof off today and carted it into the plastic supplier. They looked at it and told me it was made from ABS and that they could weld it. They warned me it may not be that pretty when it's done, but that shouldn't matter as it's mostly covered by the light. They're fixing the antenna hole as well. I took a few more pictures with the top off and I'll post them in the next couple days when I get the fixed roof back. They figure it's going to take a couple of hours so it should be about $160 - $185 with supplies. I thought the $40 they quoted over the phone was a little too optimistic, but it's still better than $1400 for a new one.

I have to say, Kioti wasn't very kind in the bolt placement to get the roof off. The two front bolts are difficult to access and may be lots of fun to try and put back. They obviously assemble the roof panel before they install the windshield. I was also surprised that the roof is multi layered and bonded together, you can't separate the orange roof from the dark plastic under layer which also runs electrical and ducting and has some foam insulation. That's making it very difficult for them to repair since they have no access to the back and must weld it from the front.

 

[MotorSeven]

I exploded my sunshade a few years ago. Now it's diamond plate steel and I go looking for branches to smack them around:laughing:

 

[coobie]

I exploded my sunshade a few years ago. Now it's diamond plate steel and I go looking for branches to smack them around:laughing:

Thats why I bought a metal wells ag sunshade for my tractor verses plastic.coobie

 

[k0ua]

Thats why I bought a metal wells ag sunshade for my tractor verses plastic.coobie

I have the same thing... I have broken several small branches Of course a big one would fold it up. but it holds its own with smaller branches.:thumbsup:

James K0UA

 

[rd_macgregor]

You guys that have broken the antenna at least found it; mine disappeared during a trip to the woods and I've never seen it since. I also managed to bend the SMV bracket down over the fender (I backed over a sapling) and have taken that off...the SMV sign is in the back window now. I always take off both outside mirrors for the summer, otherwise they get seriously whacked (like my bent front cab light brackets). Now I can't get the mirrors back on for the winter because the tightening knobs don't tighten; they just rotate the whole shaft!
Tractoring is great, but these little setbacks can sure be frustrating (and expensive!).
BOB

 

[CJONE]

You guys that have broken the antenna at least found it; mine disappeared during a trip to the woods and I've never seen it since. I also managed to bend the SMV bracket down over the fender (I backed over a sapling) and have taken that off...the SMV sign is in the back window now. I always take off both outside mirrors for the summer, otherwise they get seriously whacked (like my bent front cab light brackets). Now I can't get the mirrors back on for the winter because the tightening knobs don't tighten; they just rotate the whole shaft!
Tractoring is great, but these little setbacks can sure be frustrating (and expensive!).
BOB

Put your SMV sign behind the windshield washer tank it fit sideways and actually lines up with the bracket holes. CJ

 

[kattywumpus]

I exploded my sunshade a few years ago. Now it's diamond plate steel and I go looking for branches to smack them around:laughing:

So I wonder what you call a skid plate for the roof?

 

[Coyote machine]

You guys that have broken the antenna at least found it; mine disappeared during a trip to the woods and I've never seen it since. I also managed to bend the SMV bracket down over the fender (I backed over a sapling) and have taken that off...the SMV sign is in the back window now. I always take off both outside mirrors for the summer, otherwise they get seriously whacked (like my bent front cab light brackets). Now I can't get the mirrors back on for the winter because the tightening knobs don't tighten; they just rotate the whole shaft!


Tractoring is great, but these little setbacks can sure be frustrating (and expensive!).
BOB

FWIW, if the knobs look like I imagine they do you may be able to get replacements at your local building supply/hardware store.... I've seen the type that have a knurled black knob with a threaded stud protruding out of their center?

 

[Scooby074]

Here's a pic of the damage. I'll update with before and after once it's fixed.View attachment 295774

That sucks!

Makes me having to deal with an intermittent fuel problem seem not so bad

 

[kiotiken]

OK, I picked it back up this afternoon and stuck it back on top of the tractor. Here's some pics of the results. I really do resent the way Kioti designed the lid, you have to remove 8 bolts to take the grey trim piece that holds the front work lights off in order to access the 2 bolts that allow the roof to open on the back hinges. There must have been a better way.

Here's another picture of the damage, this time with the roof removed.



Here's what's up there in case anybodies interested.



So, I'm generally pleased with the repair of the back light. I knew there would be a patch required to give it the strength needed. Also a few little pieces shattered off and where missing, so there had to be something to cover the hole.



I was a little disappointed when I saw the repair for the antenna, especially since it's in such a visible location. They told me they could easily weld that area and the break was almost completely covered by the antenna housing (which is why I never even noticed it before). They instead decided to add a patch for strength. I guess that's OK if it really needed the strength (I don't think it does since I'll never replace the antenna, I prefer it broken), but it sure would have been nice if they at least used black to blend in a little more.

 

[kiotiken]

OH ya, here's the underside of the lid. It's a double walled lid with ducting, insulation and wiring inside. It's also the reason they want $1400 for a new one and why it's so difficult to repair. I had no idea I'd this is what I'd find so I though I'd post a quick pic of it for others to see.

 

[o2batsea]

I did a similar repair although the damage on mine was was far worse. The thread for that is here

 

[kiotiken]

I did a similar repair although the damage on mine was was far worse. The thread for that is here

Very interesting, they've changed the roof up completely, you can no longer access a crack from the inside. They are now made from ABS (according to the plastics guys I used) instead of fiberglass. You should go back and post a pic of your finished work, it might be useful to others in the future.

 

[Dingo Man]

Well now you don't have to worry about that first scratch, dent, or ding, you took care of all three in one swoop, good work.

 

[grsthegreat]

time to buy a can of Kioti orange paint......then youll forget its even there.

I pulled off my lid after i first got my tractor, as i was going to try and mount an emergency light up there/....after looking under the cap. i changed my mind completely.

made a bracket for light instead.

 

[MotorSeven]

Ken get a can of Krylon Fusion paint in orange, it's designed to bond with plastic. Clean heavily with Windex, then apply a real light coat followed by a few light coats. It holds up very well. Regular paint will not stick to ABS or whatever plastic it is made of very well.

 

[kiotiken]

Wow, thanks, I'll definitely look into that.