ROPS Bar for CK25

[KKempen]

I'm thinking of buying a used CK25, and the original owner removed the ROPS bar.

Do any flat-landers out there have a ROPS bar lying around that you're not using that you'd be interested in selling?

(Much of my work will be on a slope, so I don't really want to use this tractor without a ROPS installed.)

Thanks,
Kirk

 

[LaVoie Equipment]

If you can supply us with a serial number a dealer may have one sitting around at a discounted price.

Tony

 

[KKempen]

The tractor Serial Number is: D70200089

Thanks,
Kirk

 

[KKempen]

Sorry for the length of this post, but I just thought I'd give you guys an update on my frustration in finding a replacement ROPS bar for my CK25.

I contacted Kioti about 2 months ago, and after supplying them my serial number as well as a description of the bar (the original style), they said they could supply a replacement for about $575. So for safety's sake, I swallowed hard and ordered it.

A few weeks later the bar came in. When I went to pick it up (an hour drive), I was sorry to discover that Kioti had shipped the newer style bar, which was frustrating since I had clearly described it as the original style, and supplied them my tractor serial number as well.

So, back home I went, sans bar. The dealer promised to talk to Kioti the next day to determine the cause of the mix-up. Kioti then requested pictures of the bar mounts on my tractor, which I supplied along with a photo of the serial number tag.

A few days later, the dealer calls back to tell me Kioti says the original style bar is no longer available, and my only choice is to buy the new style bar plus the new style bar mounts. (roughly > $1000)

This is more than a bit frustrating considering this tractor was built in 2005. Because Kioti chooses to make a part unavailable for a 5 year old tractor, I get to buy some very expensive parts that I don't need to make the only available replacement part fit my tractor???

I hope Kioti fully understands the thin line they're walking here from a liability standpoint. If I decide to forgo the bar, because I feel the prices are exorbitant, and then I'm later injured because the bar is not installed, this could open a very interesting lawsuit!

I suspect that the original ROPS bar was found to be lacking in some way, either in strength (read poor protection) or other; otherwise Kioti would not have re-designed it in the first place. (Yet they did not offer the new bar as part of a safety recall to existing customers.) Maybe it was redesigned just for the fun of it? Yea that's probably it!

Anyway, I needed to vent, and thought you guys might like to know that some parts for your 5 year old Kiotis are no longer available. You might want to keep this in mind when you're shopping for your next tractor.

I welcome all comments. Thanks for listening!

Kirk

 

[mrutkaus]

Interesting point about something might have been deficient in those 2005 bars...mine on my 2005 CK30 worked fine once for me in a fall to the left prone position!!

Mike

 

[VictorW]

I thought the main reason for the change in the bar was to make it easier to change positions and make it more serviceable. Mine, on my 2005 CK30hst, is probably the same as what you need. It pivots close to the bottom and is pretty heavy when adjusting. It can come down to a 45' angle or horizontal. Actually, it can go a little farther down but just hangs there without being pinned. The later ones pivoted about halfway up making them easier to move and the top part would just fold over the bottom and hang down vertically and out of the way if needed. The lower section, that is still upright, is still low enough to clear just about all you want.

It's hard to believe that the top section was $500 plus and the newer style complete unit is a grand. I guess they don't keep the old style in stock because if it needed replaced due to a rollover, then I assume both sections would be damaged and the new style is a bolt on replacement.

Maybe take a good look at the old style on a dealer's lot and see if a weld shop could make you that piece. Michigan Iron does fabrication. They might be able to help you.