Metal sunshade for a Kioti DK40se??

STROKETHIS · Jan 11, 2011

So the factory ones are plastic? I did not know this. I have never really payed attention. Guess that'll save 350 on my new tractor purchase.

IslandTractor · Jan 11, 2011

STROKETHIS said:
So the factory ones are plastic? I did not know this. I have never really payed attention. Guess that'll save 350 on my new tractor purchase.

The new ones are ABS plastic which is actually a pretty good material. Same as in car bumpers etc. No doubt metal has some advantages/disadvantages. I like my plastic one just fine so long as I don't ram it into big tree branches. Any branch smaller than a baseball bat is no problem. I wedged mine under some thick branches right close to the trunk while mowing. That started the cracks and my negligence in repairing those let them extend. Biggest problem is where the rear lights attach. If I were doingnit again I'd have the lights mounted lower so they did not snag branches.

KiotiDave · Jan 12, 2011

Hey Island,
This has been a problem for a while with the Kioti Sunshades. When we have to do a repair we drill out the rivets that hold the plastic onto the frame and purchase a piece of sheetmetal to fit the flat inside area and have it bent down about 2-3 inches on the 4 sides. This way it stiffens the material when rivited to the sheetmetal along the cracks as well as several other places all around the roof. When securely fastened with the cracks closed against the metal we add some silicone to stop leaks up on top. We then fasten the whole thing back onto the steel frames. It adds about 10lbs to the roof, but makes it a lot more rigid. And we have not had to fix them a second time.
Good Luck
Dave G
KiotiDave

STROKETHIS · Jan 12, 2011

KiotiDave said:
Hey Island,
This has been a problem for a while with the Kioti Sunshades. When we have to do a repair we drill out the rivets that hold the plastic onto the frame and purchase a piece of sheetmetal to fit the flat inside area and have it bent down about 2-3 inches on the 4 sides. This way it stiffens the material when rivited to the sheetmetal along the cracks as well as several other places all around the roof. When securely fastened with the cracks closed against the metal we add some silicone to stop leaks up on top. We then fasten the whole thing back onto the steel frames. It adds about 10lbs to the roof, but makes it a lot more rigid. And we have not had to fix them a second time.
Good Luck
Dave G
KiotiDave

Yeah sounds like I may just get me a nice piece of diamond plate and make my own I have a sheetmetal brake and a few other metal Wrking tools. I really think I can pull this off and if not for the 350 I was quoted for the factory and one I'm sure I could have a local welding/fab shop fix me up for that or less. Just my 2 cents .

IslandTractor · Jan 12, 2011

KiotiDave said:
Hey Island,
This has been a problem for a while with the Kioti Sunshades. When we have to do a repair we drill out the rivets that hold the plastic onto the frame and purchase a piece of sheetmetal to fit the flat inside area and have it bent down about 2-3 inches on the 4 sides. This way it stiffens the material when rivited to the sheetmetal along the cracks as well as several other places all around the roof. When securely fastened with the cracks closed against the metal we add some silicone to stop leaks up on top. We then fasten the whole thing back onto the steel frames. It adds about 10lbs to the roof, but makes it a lot more rigid. And we have not had to fix them a second time.
Good Luck
Dave G
KiotiDave

Thanks for the advice Dave. I wonder if my sunshade is a different type though as there are no rivets involved. I simply unbolted the plastic shade from the two metal ~1x3 rectangular tubing that is clamped to the ROPS. The plastic is a single piece of molded material.

Still, your repair technique would probably work for me too. Do you have the metal inside or outside(top)?

KiotiDave · Jan 14, 2011

Hi,
The metal goes inside the plastic like a liner. You want a heavy enough gauge to be stiff but not so heavy you cant bend it. We have aguy with a brake that comes over and helps.
Normally we go with about 18 to 16 ga sheet stock.
The older tops were riveted until they started flying off during travel on a trailer. I am pretty sure the plastic material is the same.
This fix takes a little time, but you end up with a much more rigid roof when complete.
Dave G.

IslandTractor · Jan 14, 2011

Dave, what about the noise level with the metal liner?

KiotiDave · Jan 19, 2011

Hey Island,
We have not had customers complain. If you think it could be a problem, you can get some of the padded tape for camper tops and lay a couple of strips in there to take up the space between the sheet and the plastic.
I think they were more grateful they didn't have to spring for another top.
Good Luck
Dave G