Rear LED Lights - Dealer Mounted

[Maibox]

Looking for some advice. My L3940 needed its 50 hour service and I had ordered a front blade. I had the dealer come pick up the tractor with the idea that they could hook up the blade and I could save delivery. I decided while it was there to have two LED's mounted to the ROPs. I know I could have done it myself but laziness won out.

So I went to pay the other day and they showed me the lights. They basically came off the right side of the seat and wired up to a switch. To mount the switch they drilled holes in the ROPs about 12-18 inches or so up on the inside and screwed on a 4-5 in long by 3/4 inch wide piece of metal at a 90 degree angle to the ROPS-facing forward. I can't recall if it went all the way through or if the holes are just on the inside. They mounted a switch to end of the piece of metal. I didn't get a close look to see how they waterproofed it. It basically sticks out from the ROPS about 3 inches or so with the switch in the end. I was bit surprised they didn't mount it on the fender or somewhere else. They also appear to have drilled through the top of the ROPS to attach the lights. By the way, labor on it was about $300 (I don't know the shop rate). I haven't said anything and that's why I am posting.

Is this a normal place to mount a switch? It seems strange to have it sticking out at shoulder height on a piece of metal. I also couldn't tell how they waterproofed it or the rest of the wiring. Is it normal practice to drill through the top and bottom of the ROPS to attach the mounting brackets?

If not, suggestions on how to deal with this? The holes are already there? If I have them move the switch to a better place, what do we do with the holes in the ROPS?

Looking for suggestions (other than don't ever let them work on my tractor again).

As an aside, instead of replacing the hydraulic connectors on the hoses to the blade, they replaced the Kubota third function connectors on the tractor to match the connectors on the blade. When I asked how I was going to hook up my grapple, they told me I would need to change back out the connectors. I mentioned that it sort of eliminated the "quick" in quick-attach. The said they didn't know whether I had anything that used the front remotes and they didn't have the Kubota connectors in stock--to which I replied, why would I have them and why didn't you call to ask? They are going to replace the Kubota connectors and put Kubota connectors on the blade hoses. We will see how they address this on the invoice. This issue makes me question the light mounting even more.

Thanks in advance.

 

[s219]

I am pretty sure they voided the safety specs of the ROPS by drilling on it. I think it says that's a big no-no in the owner's manual. I am sure it could be done without too much compromise, but that's not how Kubota looks at it.

 

[KennyV]

Get Kubota involved...
Have the "dealer" replace the Rops...
Have them Put everything Back as it was when you Last had it.
and then You need to put this stuff on your tractor, (you will care enough to do the job right).

 

[94BULLITT]

I can't believe they drilled into the ROPS. They could have made a simple bracket for the lights that clamped to the ROPS.

 

[Maibox]

Yeah, the more I think about this more angry I get. They also didn't use any loom so essentially just the bare wire zip tied to the ROPS.

I'm not the most handy person so I take something to the "professionals" thinking it will get done right. Now I just need to figure out next steps.

 

[sixdogs]

No winners in this situation. You could ask Kubota, without disclosing your situation if it is permissible to drill into the ROPS. Then when they say, or better still write no it's in the bag. You could also check the owner's manual or literature because I recall specific advice from Kubota not to drill.

Personally, I'm not sure it's terrible to drill a small hole in the ROPS but I would be outnumbered 100 to one in disagreement.

 

[Maibox]

I actually drilled 2 very small holes (1/8 in) to mount a trailer plug on the side below the tool "box". However, from what I remember from my quick look, they essentially drilled through the top of the ROPS clear through. I'm not sure the size of the bolt they used but I'm going to say between 1/4 - 1/2 inch.

 

[JerryK]

I drilled holes in my ROPS to mount LED worklight brackets, amber flasher for blowing snow, three grommeted holes for wires, and had a bracket with some switches on it at one time. AND I SLEEP VERY WELL AT NIGHT, thank you.... I also drive tractors that never had seatbelts or ROPS at hair raising speeds down bumpy roads.... Also, in all those years, never rolled a tractor [ where is some wood to knock on ]. In the big sceme of things, I think your worry about a few holes is worse on your health than the actual holes will ever be. Just my 2 cents....

 

[varmint]

IMHO, drilling holes in ROPS is to be discouraged, especially when there's no need to. And, $300 for a lousy installation job is insulting. For that money, they should have done is right. You can do better if you just check out some of the threads here on TBN on rear lights.

Good luck!

 

[Midniteoyl]

Holes should make no difference at all.. PLENTY of 'lightening' holes in structures with no ill effects.. Lotta roll cages too have holes drilled for things like seat belt attachment, lights, wire runs, etc, etc... I dont see the big deal - other than it prolly looks like crap the way they mounted things..

On the plus side, you now have inspection holes to check for internal rot, which is more of a concern that holes.