Adding good Area/Work Lights - What do you use/suggest?

[Mtsoxfan]

When I first bought my tractor, I went down the rabbit hole of creating a solution for a problem that doesn't exist for me. Retired, If I can't do it during the day, it waits until the next day.
Although I've always loved mountain biking and snowmobiling at night, with lights. Whole new dimension of fun.

 

[Oaktree]

I've always loved mountain biking and snowmobiling at night, with lights. Whole new dimension of fun.

I typically don't snowmobile at night unless I have to for some reason. I have a hard time seeing where the edges of the trails are...just not enough contrast, and where I mostly ride they're quite winding. Have to ride so slow it's not really much fun.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I get that. I have found though that on weekends, when I used to ride up there, daytime was downright dangerous in a lot of areas, due to speeding/reckless driving. The troopers doing radar were kept busy. Once I was with a group of friends, one had his 18year oldish son with him. Loud exhaust, led running lights, and full of teenage courage. He was warned by Dad that they do radar, 30 minutes later, he passes us old folk and gets bagged for speeding. At least he pulled right up to trooper to take responsibility for it. Trooper told Dad he appreciated that.
I'm lucky that my eyesight is good enough to see details at night.

 

[FlyFishn]

Whatever ROPS lights you choose, I suggest you mount them on the underside of the ROPS cross tube. Mounting them on top makes them a target for branches, overhead doors, etc. It's a necessity if you use the tractor in the woods. Ask me how I know.

If top mounting is necessary, do what I wound up doing and use strong magnets to hold them in place. That way, they're "breakaway" and won't sustain serious damage if you hit something. This also avoids drilling the ROPS, which could weaken it structurally.

This is good sound info. I had a similar conversation with my dealer on the "knocking lights off the ROPS" issue. I am definitely keeping this in mind.

However, I need to identify the type of lights. I fabricate here so I am confident I can make anything work - as far as light style and how to protect it.

As you state - modifying the ROPS isnt a good idea. My intent would be to either use magnets or a clamp system.

Personally, I am not really a fan of magnets and the lights coming off, but it is an option. The issue there is the wiring. I just re-wired a GPS receiver on my neighbors Deere 4450 this fall. He turned around at a tree line and a limb swiped it off the cab roof. CAN wires were ripped out, just the power and ground were holding on.

I suppose the other issue with the wiring is branches just snagging the wiring. As I did with the other set up - the wire would all be bundled in split loom. This would help. The bigger issue would be strong boxes and cages to protect the housings from the swiping like what happened to the GPS receiver.

Going back to what I said about the rear lights and mowing backwards a lot - thats because I can get the brush hog in to clear under brush around our woodsy areas as the tractor wont clear. Thats just one example of a use case of the lighting and the requirement of it to be stout.

 

[D&D]

Then the picture of the L4240 with LED's looks a lot more uniformly lit while viewed from the cab.

View attachment 4868240

I like that side light location bet it does work pretty good. You could tuck the light right in to the loader frame (blue area) or use a light bar on the whole frame

 

[nyone]

I use the cheapest led pod lights found on amazon. I have 3 pairs and haven't paid more than $20 per pair. None have failed due to to there own problems. All my own...physical damage.

 

[bdhsfz6]

This is good sound info. I had a similar conversation with my dealer on the "knocking lights off the ROPS" issue. I am definitely keeping this in mind.

However, I need to identify the type of lights. I fabricate here so I am confident I can make anything work - as far as light style and how to protect it.

As you state - modifying the ROPS isnt a good idea. My intent would be to either use magnets or a clamp system.

Personally, I am not really a fan of magnets and the lights coming off, but it is an option. The issue there is the wiring. I just re-wired a GPS receiver on my neighbors Deere 4450 this fall. He turned around at a tree line and a limb swiped it off the cab roof. CAN wires were ripped out, just the power and ground were holding on.

I suppose the other issue with the wiring is branches just snagging the wiring. As I did with the other set up - the wire would all be bundled in split loom. This would help. The bigger issue would be strong boxes and cages to protect the housings from the swiping like what happened to the GPS receiver.

Going back to what I said about the rear lights and mowing backwards a lot - thats because I can get the brush hog in to clear under brush around our woodsy areas as the tractor wont clear. Thats just one example of a use case of the lighting and the requirement of it to be stout.

In addition to mounting the lights with magnets, I also hold the wiring neatly in place with magnetic wire holders:

They keep the wiring organized, and it pulls away before it gets torn up. If I snag something and don't react fast enough, the connector pulls out with little or no damage.

The other advantage with using magnets is, the lights can be easily repositioned if necessary. They can also be moved to other machines with little effort.

 

[RjCorazza]

Not for white lights, but I use several types of magnetic mounts for strobes and tools. My winter setup includes a strobe light bar and (2) magnetic mounted straps for shovels.
Never seen the magnetic wire holders... I may try some on my camera wiring, particularly around the grill area.

 

[FlyFishn]

In addition to mounting the lights with magnets, I also hold the wiring neatly in place with magnetic wire holders:

View attachment 4886587 View attachment 4886588

They keep the wiring organized, and it pulls away before it gets torn up. If I snag something and don't react fast enough, the connector pulls out with little or no damage.

The other advantage with using magnets is, the lights can be easily repositioned if necessary. They can also be moved to other machines with little effort.

So how do you secure the magnet to the wire so as to not loose the magnet in the woods when the wire gets stripped off with the lights when you hit something?

 

[bdhsfz6]

So how do you secure the magnet to the wire so as to not loose the magnet in the woods when the wire gets stripped off with the lights when you hit something?

Small Zip Tie

 

[FlyFishn]

Well this is interesting and Im quite curious. Ill do some digging when I get a chance. The OEM lights, for comparison, appear to each be 3x surface mount LED's. That amazes me - and they put out some nice light.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Yes, the newer LED lights do put out more light, but unfortunately, much of it is blocked by the FEL

 

[chim]

Yes, the newer LED lights do put out more light, but unfortunately, much of it is blocked by the FEL

Increased light output PLUS better distribution would be great. The three Kubotas owned only had the standard headlights. They were all quite poor. None of my grille guards had added brush guard panels. I can't imagine how much worse they'd have been.

 

[sdef]

Combination of spots and floods. I do not recall the wattages. Each pair on different switches. I do not recall where I purchased the mounting bar for this Kioti DK45. Lights from Amazon and/ebay.

 

[warrendeere]

All,
I need to add lights to my tractor - Kubota LX2620, ROPS. My intent is to get 360deg of lighting so I can see well around be when I'm working. The OEM headlights are blocked by the loader and loads so they don't help much, but they do offer good lighting when they are able to shine through.

Thoughts?

My intent is to have many lights wired in sets - front, rear, sides - so I can turn them on and off as needed/as work conditions require.

I would 100% recommend JW speaker. They are generally your OEM supplier, they last forever, and are made in america! I have had a set sitting in my toolbox forever. I don't know exactly why I haven't installed them. One of these days....

 

[D&D]

I would 100% recommend JW speaker. They are generally your OEM supplier, they last forever, and are made in america! I have had a set sitting in my toolbox forever. I don't know exactly why I haven't installed them. One of these days....

Stuff I never use lasts a really long time at my shop too

 

[I Piddle]

I spent a grand total of about $40.00 for 3 Amazon work lights, wiring, & switch. Are they good? Sure, work lights just need decent lumens and a wide spread since you're not trying to see something 300 yards away as you approach it at 80mph. I tucked them under the roll bar to keep them out of harms way and mounted the switch into a corner of one of my utility boxes.

Awesome difference being able to actually see all around the tractor and the cab work area at night! View attachment 4867937View attachment 4867938View attachment 4867939View attachment 4867940I need to add some lights to my tractor and I need a lesson on installation. These lights seem to be fairly high wattage. What guage wiring are you using? Is there any reason to use a relay if I don't run it though the ignition switch?

 

[stevenlmas]

I have a 12v Socket on my Massey, so I bought one of these. from Amazon. You could probably rig up a 1 > 4 adapter and add a couple where you need them (or hardwire). The magnet's super strong and never and an issue with it sliding or moving. I put mine on the inside of the ROPS and point it where I need it.

Amazon.com

 

[warrendeere]

Stuff I never use lasts a really long time at my shop too

LOL GOT ME THERE

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I have some in a box that I will install one of these days. I can't remember if they are floods or hybrids. But I am quite sure they will be ample for my needs. Need to figure out a method to mount them to the ROPS. But I could see how you boys that do snow removal with your tractor would really need them.