Light bar

TractorLegend · Jun 26, 2005

Is there a light bar made to go on top of a ROPS on a Kioti ck30? I want maybe two lights pointing fore and two aft.
Will make one if there isnt a decent one made.

Bob_Skurka · Jun 26, 2005

I'm not aware of an aftermarket unit, but there are several ways to mount lights. I took a piece of angle iron (rounded the corners to protect my head) and used marine epoxy to cement it to the back side of the top of my ROPS. I hung my lights under the ROPS but only because it offers some additional protection from tree branches. If knocking the lights off are not a major concern, you could just as easily put the lights on top. Drilling into the ROPS or welding onto it may void a warrenty or destroy the structural integrity of the ROPS so many advise against it. You could also clamp the lights on. Some folks have even used magnets.

My light bar. 2 55-watt front facing driving lights, plus 2 35-watt rear facing fog lights.

Switches to power front lights, 12-volt outlet, rear lights

Red_rider · Jun 27, 2005

It seems like I searched everywhere, but couldn't find an aftermarket that would fit the ROPS. My first shot I placed the lights on the outside of the ROPS, but got tired of them getting hit with limbs, etc. I made a bar this past winter which clamps to the ROPS. I have two 55-watt lights for the front and two 35-watt lights for the rear - switched independently. I ordered my switches from Quality Marine and used a waterproof box mounted next to the seat. I can't find the pics right now, but I'll post a couple in the next few days.

LBrown59 · Jun 29, 2005

( Is there a light bar made to go on top of a ROPS on a Kioti ck30? I want maybe two lights pointing fore and two aft.
Will make one if there isnt a decent one made. )
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Here are some thoughts I've been kicking around concerning lights on rops.
1. Use two lights rather than 4 lights. Mount them on a light bar that will swivel the lights up and down. I install the lights on the bar in a manner that will permit the lights to be rotated 360 degrees. The 360 degrees allows you to have light to the rear and front or both to the front or both to the rear.
Use magnets to mount the brackets for the light bar to the top rear edge of the rops instead of on top of the rops or under the top of the rops. Next bolt the ends of the light bar to the brackets with one bolt through each bracket into the bar.
Tighten the bolts just enough to hold the bar in place but loose enough to move it by hand. The swiveling light bar allows:
(A) Allows adjustment of the distance the lights shine out from the tractor.
(B) Gives more clearance above the lights and more head room under them.
(C) Lessens the chance of catching the lights on something overhead.
(D) Allows the lights to flip down if hit rather than breaking them.
(E) You can just flip the lights down to work under low hanging branches instead of having to remove them from the rops. However you still have the option of removing the bar and lights and unplugging the trailer connector.
*Advantages of the 360 degree rotation *
(A) Permits two lights instead of requiring 4 lights, thus reducing current flow.
(B) Lights can be turned both to front or both to rear. Or they can be turned one to front and one to rear. They can also be used for side lighting. Swiveling lights can provide illumination 360 degrees around the tractor.

Adjustment from one position to another is instant by hand. No wrenches or tools required.
A low profile light preferred over high profile lights.

I've been using this system of combining a rotating light bar with swivel mounted lights to install fog and driving lights on my pickups successfully for years.

More thoughts on lights.
Use a dual direction light with a clear lens on both sides that will cast light to the front and rear at the same time.

Thinking about experimenting with a hanging swing light magnetically attached to the cross member of the FEL to illuminate the bucket shadow when using the head lights.

L.B.

TractorLegend · Jun 30, 2005

any pictures of the swivelling light bar idea available??

LBrown59 · Jun 30, 2005

( any pictures of the swivelling light bar idea available?? )

Nope sorry.

JoeL4330 · Jul 14, 2005

While in the design stage, consider lights that will work whether the ROPS is folded, or not. I have four no mounted on the ROPS, two facing forward, two aft ...when the ROPS is up, but, alas, pointed skyward and dirtward when it is folded. But, a separate light bar ...ahhh... that could attach at the hinge points, say.

Bigbear · Jul 14, 2005

I've been using this system of combining a rotating light bar with swivel mounted lights to install fog and driving lights on my pickups successfully for years. 
Tell me more, I drive my Jeep and Truck off road alot, and would like to see how this works. Maybe a picture or rough drawing. Thanks, BEAR

TractorLegend · Jul 16, 2005

I'll take pictures of my completed bar this week mounted to ROPS. I so far am using a length of metal perforated electrical type mounting channel like people use to hang say gas fired heaters, big lights etc. The metal has oval perforated holes along the face of it a perfect size for my light mounting hollow bolts where the power wire also comes out.
It was free.
My father donated 1- five inch WARN brand flood light and two 6" same flood lights and I have a rectangle WARN fog light that has been sitting idle for years. I will fab a magnet or a bracket for the clear fog to go where the factory hole is on the rear of the CK30HST.
The 5 inch round light will be in the center hole of my new bar pointing back and the 6 inchers pointing forward
I cut the bar with 30 degree ends to mount under rops top with some 3" square 3/8dia U bolts I had the local spring shop bend up for 7.00. I made some 1" X 1/4 straps to go across the u bolts to secure bar to rops. I drilled a hole in the light bar for a ground wire screw and nut.
Ill secure the lights to the channel and run wires thru some of that 3/8" dia. black convoluted electrical tubing and tie straps like you see miles of under hoods of modern vehicles.
and repainted my scuffed up rops bar with Derustos Dark Grey--perfect match for the factory grey BTW
If I can only remember to fold the rops next time I put tractor away....
The lights should light up the night like Hollywood.
My tractor resides 108 miles from my workshop which is the challenge for me. I bring peices home and work on it. Then go study the tractor for where to put switches/ relays /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

TractorLegend · Jul 17, 2005

I forgot to mention if I didn't get free lights- I would have bought Hella ones from www.awdirect.com ---I see alot of folk get the ones from Wally-Mart which is fine- but if you want a step above without breaking the bank the Hella ones are well built.