Another light thread

TCBoomerCT · Nov 3, 2007

1st off, thanks to all for the many ideas on mounting additional lighting on my tractor.

With the end of D.S.T. drawing near and the soon to be flying snow, I decided it was time to get my lighting project going. Geez, I've only had the tractor for 3 years!

Looking over my R.O.P.S. I noticed an unused 3/8" hole in the top plate of the hinge bracket, which got me thinking......

This is just my initial mock-up. I still need to wire everything up and remove the mounting means for painting. I also need to shorten it an inch so that the floods will clear the rear lights when the R.O.P.S. is completely folded.

Figured I'd post this in case it may help someone else.

Tororider · Nov 3, 2007

Are you kidding me? Do you ever leave that barn/garage? Nice poker table, dartboard, at least two monitors, heat, sheesh. Nice man cave.

Oh yeah, cool lights too.

kylebosch808 · Nov 3, 2007

Nice set up, just remember that they are there when your going under trees, You could also make a sheet steel case around the back of the lights and put a mesh front on it, it would really protect them from branches.

TwinWillows · Nov 3, 2007

I had lights on a bar mounted to the top of my ROPS... Had being the operative word as I forgot they were there when mowing along my fence line this past spring.. My next install will have to be lower. Just where I've not yet decided.

dqdave1 · Nov 3, 2007

I would worry about breaking them , since they are above the ROPS. Mine are "inside" the ROPS.

TCBoomerCT · Nov 4, 2007

Thanks for the feedback guys, I'll take your suggestions into consideration.

Tororider said:
Are you kidding me? Do you ever leave that barn/garage? Nice poker table, dartboard, at least two monitors, heat, sheesh. Nice man cave.

Oh yeah, cool lights too.

If I'd had the foresight to put in a bathroom and a bed, I'd only need to leave for work.

Bigboyskioti · Nov 4, 2007

I mounted mine on top of the ROPS. And yes you do find more lower branches to hit htem on But before I mounted them on top I had them under man was I proud of that, That is until I turned them on with me in the seat. Got areal nice shadow of my head out front....

Tororider · Nov 5, 2007

TCBoomerCT said:
Thanks for the feedback guys, I'll take your suggestions into consideration.

If I'd had the foresight to put in a bathroom and a bed, I'd only need to leave for work.

Yeah, we are going to put a bathroom with a stand up shower in our barn, then we will just have to use cots. It will beat the couch when in the doghouse. Hehe

Tororider · Nov 5, 2007

By the way, could you create something that would allow them to be installed below or inside the ROPS and then flip up to the top when needed? Best of both worlds.

Texas Dodge · Nov 5, 2007

Tororider said:
Are you kidding me? Do you ever leave that barn/garage? Nice poker table, dartboard, at least two monitors, heat, sheesh. Nice man cave.

Oh yeah, cool lights too.

And all those bottles of Bud Light in the second pic

TCBoomerCT · Nov 5, 2007

Well, I found that I can't put the lights under the ROPS because that's where my head is when I'm on the 'hoe.

I reduced the height of the brackets by about 2.5", painted them, and installed everything but the wiring. Will post some pics when it's done.

Tororider said:
By the way, could you create something that would allow them to be installed below or inside the ROPS and then flip up to the top when needed? Best of both worlds.

Excellent idea, but with them down and still in the way, I don't think I'll bother. As they are now I can fairly easily spin them for rear work, and with not having many low branches, I'll probably just take my chances. (Of course that means they'll get wacked first time out

) If it becomes a problem, I may try the outside side of the ROPS.

TCBoomerCT · Nov 5, 2007

Texas Dodge said:
And all those bottles of Bud Light in the second pic

Yeah, I really should cash in those empties. Should be at least enough for a 30 of fullies

.

bigballer · Nov 5, 2007

i just finished my install of 4x55w lights with 2 switches. i used a relay between the battery and the switches. i have plenty of light now, i don't really like how they attach to the rops but they work really well. i'll figure out a better mounting method long term but for now they are running, just in time for daylight savings!!

SkunkWerX · Nov 5, 2007

Nice job, I would rip those puppies off of there by 3rd use at my place, too many low branches. But I do like the idea and the install.

Now that Daylight savings is over Lights have moved up higher on the list.

So far, I'm keeping ahead of each season, built the Leaf Vac during the summer, and now, glad I did. Added the hydraulic angle to the rear blade for any snow this winter, but Lights didn't happen yet.

Time to move them up a notch.

Pitch dark at 530 pm today, pitiful!

TCBoomerCT · Nov 10, 2007

Well, the finished? product. Thanks to all that helped/responded.

I decided to use the power available at the accessory outlet under the seat and happened to have a switch that fit the existing hole perfectly. It is already on a 10 amp fuse and controlled by the ignition switch.

Time to figure out what to do next.....

canoetrpr · Nov 10, 2007

Very nice setup. Thanks for posting.

bradal · Nov 11, 2007

Just a note, I just finished an install of my lights 5 minutes ago and I believe that they were 3x55W. I went straight from battery with inline fuse, 3 x 4 amps is 12 amps, my fuse to the rear is also 10A. I think you may run into some fuses blowing after continue run time. 4X55W=220W/12V = about 18 amps. Unless I am not understanding your installation with the relays. Just something to think about. I guess I will start a new thread with my install???? or add them here??