Headlights with a loader?

[ritcheyvs]

My DK45S has the 451 loader and the brush guard, which I believe is standard with a loader. This loader is awesome except the headlights are useless because the brush guard is so bright it's the only thing I can see. Of course, the bucket blocks a lot of the light too. I don't plan to work a lot at night but sometimes it gets dark before I get done.

Question: What solutions have others tried to improve lighting with a loader and how did they work out? I figure that this group will know the best solutions.

Scott

 

[moored4]

:welcome: to TBN!

Go to search and do a word search for what your looking for (lights) and there are a lot of info on that topic! :thumbsup:

 

[VictorW]

You're in the same boat as many doing night work with the loader. Some of the members have put lights on the rops bar. Two facing forward and one backwards. A couple of 55 watt halogens sure does help. Michigan Iron and Equipment have this item for sale or it may give you some ideas. Michigan Iron & Equipment: Kioti Dealer

 

[RoyJackson]

You're in the same boat as many doing night work with the loader. Some of the members have put lights on the rops bar. Two facing forward and one backwards. A couple of 55 watt halogens sure does help. Michigan Iron and Equipment have this item for sale or it may give you some ideas. Michigan Iron & Equipment: Kioti Dealer

That's a nice light bar...

 

[mpham]

I went to Walmart and picked up a set of 55 watt driving lights for around 20 bucks. They are only 1 inch thick by 2 inches long and put out as much light as the headlights. Comes in a nice easy to use kit. The kit has the switch and all wires needed. You just need a drill and bits and a few hand tools. I will post a couple pics later if interested.

Walmart.com: Optronics 55w Pair Driving Light Kit: Automotive
Here is a link if it works.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I went to Walmart and picked up a set of 55 watt driving lights for around 20 bucks. They are only 1 inch thick by 2 inches long and put out as much light as the headlights. Comes in a nice easy to use kit. The kit has the switch and all wires needed. You just need a drill and bits and a few hand tools. I will post a couple pics later if interested.

Walmart.com: Optronics 55w Pair Driving Light Kit: Automotive
Here is a link if it works.

mpham,

Where did you mount them? Where did you put the switch?

Yes Please on the pix sir!

David

 

[mpham]

mpham,

Where did you mount them? Where did you put the switch?

Yes Please on the pix sir!

David

I mounted mine on the factory sunshade. Mine has a cab also for winter use.
I put the switch( I upgrade to a heavier unit) into the plastic panel under the steering wheel. Ran the wire with the included fuse direct to the battery.

 

[pacerron]

A couple thoughts on location.
20 year ago I mounted a pair high on the outside of the ROP's. This works great except for 2 potential problems. If you get too close to low hanging tree limbs you might bust them. Second, I have a canopy attached to the ROP's and mounted a rear view mirror out near the front of it to use primarily in the daytime when rolling hay etc. At night the lights being behind it cause a glare in the mirror. Of course turning the mirror fixes that but is a frustration.
On my newer CNH 4020 which also has a canopy, I mounted the lights under the front support bar of the canopy using the already in perfect place bolts that hold the aluminum treadplate top to it. This is much better, if you have a canopy, as it protects the lights more, doesn't cause any glare in the mirrors, and doesn't
cast light on the lighted instrument panel.
Rather than fishing a wire all the way to the battery, which is clear at the front of the tractor, I wired into a 40 amp rear accessory plug that was standard on the tractor for rear mounted equipment, using a Relay and fuse to protect the added switch and wiring .
Pictures are posted on this site.

 

[MF 1532]

I mounted 2 tractor work lights (4411 bulbs) on underside of rops , and 1 behind seat . Fabricated switch plate with pilot lights , that burn when swich is on .

 

[DK35vince]

I mounted my lights under the conopy.

 

[Mousefield]

Had the dealer put on one facing the back before I got it. Found the same problem, bucket full of snow and it blocks the headlights. So put on 3 more, 1 more facing back, and 2 forward. I did not drill into the ROPS, used a bracket with bolts to mount the lights. Put in 2 toggle switches behind the seat, so one toggle does the front lights and the other the back.

 

[TRR]

I thought about putting the lights on the loader arms. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Combustix]

I thought about putting the lights on the loader arms. Any thoughts on this?

Your electrical lines will need enough slack for the full range of motion for the bucket so at some point you will have the wires hanging there ready to be snagged. I put mine on the underside of the rops so they don't get knocked off and put the switch in the hazard light as it did not work so I hinged it and now it protects the switch

 

[JB4310]

I put one very bright one up on the canopy frame, way better than the factory lights. Helps tremendously for snow plowing.

The kicker is I found 2 of these in a dumpster

JB

 

[Andrewnewy]

I thought about putting the lights on the loader arms. Any thoughts on this?

I have tried this, but it failed, it worked well for light directly on the bucket, but I always found they were not pointing at what I wanted to see, ultimately they ended up getting knocked off by some branch's

What I have done since is mount a couple off the front/side of the cab, level with the loader arms, this works well for night loader work, then I've got another couple at the top of the cab for distance/driving lights then another 4 on the back for whatever implement is on, works well

 

[IslandTractor]

I mounted my lights under the conopy.

Do I see sound deadening material on the underside of your canopy? What did you use?

 

[DK35vince]

Do I see sound deadening material on the underside of your canopy? What did you use?

Yes. It is heat and sound insulation from LMC Truck parts.
Adding the canopy made the tractor noticeably louder. The noise would echo down off the canopy. Adding some insulation helped reduced some of the noise.
I also added an AM/FM stereo with headphones to the canopy so I can listen to the radio while mowing instead of tractor/mower noise.

 

[90cummins]

I mounted 2 55 watt driving lights on top of the loader arms which work great.
I angled them down slightly so I can do bucket work but when I'm traveling with the bucket in the carry position they shine down the road.
I installed a separate switch for them because my alternator only has a 30 amp rating and will discharge if operated below 1200 rpm.
The only drawback is if you are working under trees with low branches they are prone to damage but a sturdy guard will fix that which is next on my list.

 

[JB4310]

Yes. It is heat and sound insulation from LMC Truck parts.
Adding the canopy made the tractor noticeably louder. The noise would echo down off the canopy. Adding some insulation helped reduced some of the noise.
I also added an AM/FM stereo with headphones to the canopy so I can listen to the radio while mowing instead of tractor/mower noise.

I'm gonna have to try that, I love the canopy but the increased sound is a nagative.

JB

 

[SPYDERLK]

My DK45S has the 451 loader and the brush guard, which I believe is standard with a loader. This loader is awesome except the headlights are useless because the brush guard is so bright it's the only thing I can see. Of course, the bucket blocks a lot of the light too. I don't plan to work a lot at night but sometimes it gets dark before I get done.

Question: What solutions have others tried to improve lighting with a loader and how did they work out? I figure that this group will know the best solutions.

Scott

I have not yet made a material move but have concluded that anything increasing the tractor envelope is not acceptable. I have experimented with LED flashlites held at various locations just under the canopy. I find this to be the best place and will put it into effect when/if I really need to.
larry