Do tractors come with brake lights for highway travel?

mbu · Feb 16, 2017

I just bought a new 2016 M7060HDC12 last September and it apparently doesn't have brake lights that light up brighter when the pedal is pressed. Do I need to set a switch or something in order to get them to function? I understand why they are not needed in the field but on the highway that's a different matter!

Industrial Toys · Feb 16, 2017

I would say that your tractor probably doesn't have brake lights. Or they are defective. Maybe just a switch adjustment. I have never heard of it being a selectable function. Best to ask the dealer.

I think tractor brake lamps are of questionable use anyway. Many tractors use flashers and this makes the brake lights less effective. Or you are pulling something. I just don't think the average motorist is watching a tractors rear lights. Plus, tractors are already going slow compared to an automobile. You don't have that same loss of velocity requiring a warning.

airbiscuit · Feb 16, 2017

They don't have brake lights - they don't go that fast.

They do have a Slow Moving Vehicle sign and Emergency Flashers

Its a TRACTOR, not a Lamborghini (unless it's a Lamborghini Tractor)

cat fever · Feb 16, 2017

My Kioti has brake lights.

k0ua · Feb 16, 2017

cat fever said:
My Kioti has brake lights.

Yup, mine too. And all those flashers too.

CADplans · Feb 17, 2017

My JD has turn signals,,, well,,, for now, it has a right turn signal. :laughing:
There is a rocker switch on the dash to select right or left.
I tried it,, the right does light up when you press the switch,,,
you have to manually center it, though.

For $35,, I can get the left,,, maybe, someday,

airbiscuit · Feb 17, 2017

Why are you even worried about brake lights? You are driving a brightly colored tractor at a slow speed with flashing lights and a Slow Moving Vehicle Sign. For someone to hit you, they would have to be an inattentive driver right on your tail as you mash your brakes. It is never a good idea to mash your tractor brakes at transport speed as they are steering brakes and seldom perfectly synchronized. If you mash them, one wheel will brake harder than the other and you may end up in the ditch.

mbu · Feb 17, 2017

airbiscuit said:
Why are you even worried about brake lights? You are driving a brightly colored tractor at a slow speed with flashing lights and a Slow Moving Vehicle Sign. For someone to hit you, they would have to be an inattentive driver right on your tail as you mash your brakes. ...

Well lets see ... as we all know, drivers are ALWAYS attentive and they just love coming up on vehicles that are traveling less than 25 mph when its dark - especially when it's stopped and waiting to make a left turn.

P.S. Depending on the time of year I'm starting work before the sun comes up and coming home after it goes down, so yeah, sometimes I get worried! Hey, if you really want to know how "attentive" drivers really are, get a Harley!

cat fever · Feb 17, 2017

I second that!

David_Kb7uns · Feb 17, 2017

Think the RTV has brake lights but I can put you through the windshield just letting up on the Hydro pedal and lights will not even come on, same with the tractors, brakes are a last resort, downshift first unless you got a runaway.

David

coldsteelva · Feb 17, 2017

Throw an amber flashing light on the rops if you want to grab more attention. A simple magnet mount with a 12v pigtail should be sufficient to not get you plowed into. Notice I did say 'should'.

EDIT: You can also buy/wear a hi-vis green vest; whatever it takes to make you safe/ make you feel safe

oosik · Feb 17, 2017

My Kubota has flashers, left/right turn signals, slow vehicle sign, bright amber flashing light on the top of the canopy - no break lights. And I don't think drivers even see motorcycles. Had a Harley for fifteen years - now a BMW - - makes no difference - apparently I'm invisible while on a motorcycle.

MOST folks drive fairly carefully in this neck of the woods. There is always folks on tractors - out on the county roads - moving from one area to another, any time of the year. Those who aren't could run into something a whole lot bigger than normally expected out here in the sticks.......

s219 · Feb 17, 2017

Very rare to see them on a tractor. And think about it, the M7060HDC is hydrostatic, so you'll almost never be using the brakes in a "traffic" situation where they'd be beneficial.

My RTV has brake lights, but it's also hydrostatic. I pretty much only use the brakes when trying to hold position on a hill and/or changing gears. I have tried to use the brakes when driving in traffic just to have my brake lights come on to indicate I'm slowing down, and no dice -- it's just not practical. The HST transmission has all the braking needed and then some.

I did add orange LED strobe/flashers front and back for when I have to drive in traffic during the day. I don't want to take any chances, regardless of the color of the RTV. From behind, you don't see that much orange paint anyhow. I have been thinking about adding some of those strobes to my tractor as well, but at least it has flashers from the factory (the RTV did not).

Bobcat1957 · Feb 17, 2017

My Bobcat has all the lights on the rear of it that a car or truck does except back up lights. I don't worry about going down the highway to use the brake lights. I just look for them on when the parking brake is on. I just use flashers on the highway.

k0ua · Feb 17, 2017

I will have to admit that even though my tractor has brake lights, I don't remember ever touching the brakes when slowing down or stopping on the road. As others have pointed out, the hydro pedal does all the slowing down you need. The brakes are just for parking or for use as steering/turning brakes at slow speed when they are split.

airbiscuit · Feb 17, 2017

coldsteelva said:
Throw an amber flashing light on the rops if you want to grab more attention. A simple magnet mount with a 12v pigtail should be sufficient to not get you plowed into. Notice I did say 'should'.

EDIT: You can also buy/wear a hi-vis green vest; whatever it takes to make you safe/ make you feel safe

If you're afraid to drive it without brake lights, this is a good idea. You could also wear a helmet

PJSprog · Feb 17, 2017

My LS has brake lights. I've wondered at the necessity of this as well.

rdinatal · Feb 17, 2017

The Mahindra eMax has brake lights and turn signals. I laughed at the horn but I'm finding it useful to get someone's attention.

-R

mbu · Feb 17, 2017

s219 said:
Very rare to see them on a tractor. And think about it, the M7060HDC is hydrostatic ....

No, the M7060HDC12 has a shuttle shift (for forward and backward within the same gear) but does not have a hydrostatic transmission.

nybirdman · Feb 17, 2017

If you are concerned turn on your cab work lights(if you don't have the rears install them),they are about as high as you can go.I run in day with my caution lights,at night with all my lights on.