Adding lights to CK20

[chelydra]

For after-work work in these shorter days, and especially for night snow reomoval, I want to add a light or two. (Headlights bouncing back from the loader blade don't do much for me.) I figured on getting a cheap running light from an auto-parts store, and mounting it about halfway up the ROPS. A few questions:

- I don't like weakening the ROPS. So instead of drilling for a mounting, I might use a circlip. That would also let the lamp pop off w/o damage if I scrape branches.

- Will one little 20W driving light be enough, or do people find two necessary?

- I'd planned to tie it into the wires that feed the flasher on top of my ROPS. That's wired into the headlamps.

Other suggestions or warnings?

Thanks!

-NBB

 

[Highbeam]

They make tractor type utility lights available at NAPA for about 10$. These throw more light and I believe use 50 watts than a 20 watt bulb would. They are made in a rubber housing and would be the ticket I think.

Seems most guys that add lights have at least 100 watts forward and 50 rearward.

 

[mathey]

I used 2 C-shaped u-bolts to wrap around the ROPS, then bolted an aluminum square tube to them and the lights bolt to the tube. Bought 2 sets of cheap fog lights from a discount store, two front, one rear... wired directly to the battery...if I didn't have tree branches to worry about, I'd mount the lights higher up, to avoid melting the back of your head!

 

[DrewL]

That should be plenty of light. My only concern with that type of a switch is moisture getting into the switches contacts unless that has already been addressed.

I used toggles with the rubber boots

 

[TractorLegend]

my light bar made with electrical mounting channel and u bolts made at a spring shop --- you may want a bug whacker mounted up there too to kill the bugs attracted at night to the light.
Be sure to run a dedicated ground because ROPS flops and is a poor ground...
Maybe I'll have the switch mounted by next spring---who knows, a water resistant one seems a wise choice.

 

[VictorW]

TSC has completely sealed toggle switches but I'm sure you could find them elsewhere. You could try a boat/marine store but stuff there is normally more expensive.
Chelydra, you'll want more than a 20 watt light. I added one 55 watt halogen for snow plowing. I wouldn't want any less light.

 

[ccdck20hst]

Tractorlegend, Nice photo. That is a real nice looking light mount set up. Using the piece under the ROPS to mount the lights was a great idea. If I add lights to my CK20 I might try to do it in a way similar to your set up. Right now I can drive into my garage with the ROPS up, with about one and a half inches of clearance. Your style set up basically causes no change in clearance.

Charlie

 

[Dmace]

Anyone ever had lights to a CK20 with a sims cab on it ?
I wonder if I could just mount them to the plastic cab roof./forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
As long as it's waterproof, it should work.

Great ideas so far.

 

[KiotiJohn]

I bought magnetic welding grounding blocks from Harbor Freight and a 55w flood headlight from Walmart. I changed out the bolts so that the light would fit into the grounding block, works fine.
I then added a 12V outlet which I mounted under the seat of my CK20. I bought a coiled 12V cord that I can plug into the outlet and place the light anywhere I need it. This is very handy as I can get the light just where I need it with no fuss or muss.
total cost was very little also. The grounding blocks were on sale for less than $4. I don't remember the other prices, but I'm sure I don't have $50 in the whole works.
John

 

[BigDogues]

I've been gathering parts for my light setup as well. So far I have bought two of the tractor utility lights with rubber housing at Sanel Auto Parts (a local chain I believe). If I remember correctly they are made by Grote. I think that they are the same thing that is offered by Napa and Northern Tool. I paid a little over $8 each for them. And for an extra $4 ea. or so I was able to pick up a magnetic mount base that's made by the same company. One thing of note with these lights, nowhere on the package that I can see does it say what the wattage is. I figure for $8 they're worth a shot. I am also going with the rubber booted toggle for a switch. I haven't decided yet to hard wire them or put in a couple of 12V outlets and hook them up with that coiled cord as well. One nice thing is being able to relocate the lights. If you have ever turned your high beams on in a snowstorm it's easy to see my point. I could, if need be, stick a light right on my snowblower.