Added rear work lights to the CK20

[Dmace]

Since I decided to sell my money pit Ford dump truck / plow truck, I will need to go back to using the snowblower on the tractor to clear the driveway. It worked great for the years I used it before getting the plow truck but always got tough towards the end of the day or early morning with little light to see behind me. So before the snow falls, I picked up a cheap ($18) pair of 55W Halogen (H3) driving lights with the wiring kit and switch and mounted them this morning. (click all thumbnails for larger images)

Since I have the Sims cab, mounting them was as easy as drilling a few small holes and bolting them on:

I just noticed I took a picture of the wires on the "driver" side rear of the tractor and not the wires on the "passenger" side which is the ones I used. There is a pair of wires with "Bullet" style connectors with one Red wire and one Black wire (Red=12V Black=Ground), these wires are only powered when the Key is in the On position. Since the lights have a switch, this is the way I wanted them so I did not have to have the tractor lights on to use the rear work lights. I did not try it but I do believe these wires are connected to the 15-amp "customer use" fuse on the tractor. Either way, the lights have their own 15-amp inline fuse as well.
Here's some pics of the lights installed and on:


I tried to get some night pics but my camera phone doesn't like pics at night. You can see the brightness in the picture of the lights but the other picture looks like the light pattern is dim with a small center spot. In realty, the entire area is lit very well and you can't see the center bright spots without the camera.


BRING ON THE SNOW!

 

[jimmyj]

Nice. How do I find the "customer fuse" if I want to wire in some similar lights?

Do you have to have a license plate for a tractor in your State?

 

[Dmace]

Nice. How do I find the "customer fuse" if I want to wire in some similar lights?

Do you have to have a license plate for a tractor in your State?

On the CK20, the fuse panel is under the hood on the "firewall" on the "passenger" side of the tractor and the fuse is #6 which is a 15-amp spot and labeled on the fuse box cover as "customer use". The fuse was already in there and in place so those wires have been hot since I got it. Once I get my voltmeter back I will test the leads as well as the other wires found to see what's powered and when. I am pretty sure those two wires are the only ones on that circuit though.

As far as the plate, when I registered it they gave me just one plate and said to mount it in the rear of the tractor somewhere. Only one is required for CE (Construction Equipment). A whopping $62 a year but it varies by weight.

 

[kenstrac]

wher did you get the lights for $18 a pair

 

[Natureboy]

The bullet connectors on the PS are on a 10 amp fuse. If I remember correctly its labeled customer use, or worklight.

 

[Dmace]

wher did you get the lights for $18 a pair

Wal-mart

The bullet connectors on the PS are on a 10 amp fuse. If I remember correctly its labeled customer use, or worklight.

Yup, I just checked today after I was done working with the tractor. The bullet connectors that I used are connected to a 10-amp "work light" fuse in the box. The wires are in the same loom as the wires for the fuel tank gauge. Here's a picture of the wires and another of the fuse box.

This means the other fuse "customer use" must be for the white connector on the other side of the tractor with the plug on the end. I will double check when I get my voltmeter back.
Seen here:

I know 10-amp is plenty for those little lights so I am glad I used that circuit so I still have the stronger 15-amp circuit for something else like an electric chute rotation motor.

 

[gkm]

Wal-mart

Yup, I just checked today after I was done working with the tractor. The bullet connectors that I used are connected to a 10-amp "work light" fuse in the box. The wires are in the same loom as the wires for the fuel tank gauge. Here's a picture of the wires and another of the fuse box.

This means the other fuse "customer use" must be for the white connector on the other side of the tractor with the plug on the end. I will double check when I get my voltmeter back.
Seen here:

I know 10-amp is plenty for those little lights so I am glad I used that circuit so I still have the stronger 15-amp circuit for something else like an electric chute rotation motor.

I also used the 10 amp connection for my work lights that I mounted on the ROP...one pointing rearward and the other frontward.

Greg

 

[kenstrac]

I also used the 10 amp connection for my work lights that I mounted on the ROP...one pointing rearward and the other frontward.

Greg

Mastiff or Bull Mastiff ?

 

[gkm]

Mastiff or Bull Mastiff ?

English Mastiff!

 

[Dmace]

I finally got to use my tractor at night today when I needed to do some snow removal and boy am I glad I installed these lights. At night, they really light up the area behind me and make snow blowing at night an ease.

Definitely recommended!