Custom Light bar for my Kubota L4400

[davygp38]

I have been searching this site for some time now, getting Ideas for a light bar for my tractor. I decided to make my own, using some steel from a Harbor freight Bed extender. The bed extender was a complete piece of junk, but not a waste of money. I got two 4 foot pieces of 2 inch square stock,out of it, and the pins, and bolts. it's worth more as raw steel, than it is as a bed extender. The L4400 has a work light circuit under each fender, with bayonet style connectors. The wires are black (ground) yellow with red flecks-stripes (hot.) (see the picture) They are fused with a 10 amp fuse in the box. I bought two 55 watt halogen lights from Tractor supply, for $19 each. They seem like good lights, but the brackets aren't the best. Nothing some bigger bolts wont fix. I welded the ends of the square stock closed, and drilled the ends, and welded a mounting bolt, on each. My thinking, is to make the lights adjustable front and back. I also left the bar long. This way I can get a better angle on the hole, if I am digging. Or I can focus out front with out interference from the loader, or a large pallet. I put up some pictures of the light bar after welding. At this point, I wired the lights to a simple three pole switch, to make sure it was going to work. The light circuit on my tractor is on when the key is on. I could have just hard wired the lights,and it would have been OK, but the German in me wouldn't go for it. After testing the switch, I had to find a good place to mount it. I settled for the draft control box on the right. I put it here, because it was close to me while in the seat, and most important, it is more protected from the weather. ( I had thought about mounting it on the fender) Take a look at the pictures, and let me know what you think. I'll post more latter

 

[dex3361]

I have an L4400 and I am planning on doing putting work lights on the ROPs as well. the lights are the 55W HF halogen mounted in rubber. I will use a piece of unistrut and put the open part down and I will mount 4 lights
(2-front and 2-back). I will use u bolts to clamp to the ROPS, I don't want to drill the ROPS.

 

[davygp38]

I understand your concerns about drilling into the ROPS. I am doing it however, and heres why. My light bar is made of 1/8 inch square stock, and is end welded with 3/16th squares. The bar itself was already drilled with 1/2 inch holes, which is what I am using to attach to the ROPS. As far as I am concerned, The 1/2x5inch bolts. that go thru the rops,combined with the bar makes the rops stronger, not weaker. Since the bar was already drilled, and I would have had to plug those holes, and fabricate clamps, I went with what I had. Here are some pictures of the light bar after paint, and during the wiring process. I am using 14 gage wire, all connections are done with shrink tubing, and liquid tape. I am covering the exposed wires with some vinyl tubing they had at Lowe's for 15 cents a foot. the switch will be greased with dielectric compound, and all parts of the light bar that receive wires, or bolts are sealed with silicone

 

[dex3361]

Cant wait to see the finished product.

 

[davygp38]

Here is the finished light bar. I was as clean as possible on all the wiring. I used wire wraps, and silicone on all fittings, and connectors. The lights are fully adjustable front, and back. I left enough slack in the wiring to fold the ROPS, and point the lights in any direction. The only weak point, is the switch. I wanted a marine switch , but the only thing locally was the one I used, which is not marine grade. If it stops working, I will order one.

 

[polo1665]

Looks good, but I would keep it out of the woods.

Mark

 

[dex3361]

Nice looking job but I have to make mine to where it will be lower than the top of the ROPs and under the
ROPs. I would rip it off in the woods if I didn't. the spread will give good coverage nice job.

 

[davygp38]

Yeah it will be an issue for me, in the woods as well. If it gets to be to big a problem, I will start fron scratch

 

[davygp38]

After carefull consideration, I have decided to fabricate cages to protect the lights from tree branches etc. I just came back from tractor supply with some angel iron, and some 1/2 inch square tubing. I have some 3/16 rod somewhere. I'll post some pics when I gaet started

 

[dex3361]

Thats a great idea and one you will not regret.