How important are blinkers?

Iplayfarmer · Sep 30, 2006

I was checking wiring on my tractor tonight in anticipation of adding some rear work lights to make plowing snow easier after work this winter. To my surprise I found the wires for blinkers and they both worked. I thought the switch on the dash for blinkers was just vestigial (as if maybe the same panel is used on higher end models too.) It doesn't look like there ever were blinkers or tail lights on the tractor.

How important/helpful are blinkers? I drive a little in the winter to various neighboors' houses to plow thier snow, but I never drive very far. If anything I would probably like flashers or just tail lights for visibility, but I have no control on the dash for emergency flashers.

bx23barry · Sep 30, 2006

If you on the road at nite they are a good thing. I think hazards (4 way) are more important than blinkers/turn lites. Only reason for turn lites would be if you are driving on the road alot. I would have the 4 ways on all the time plowing snow. I seldom go on the road at all so I have little use for either and have unhooked them because they magicly turn themselfs on now and then.

Iplayfarmer · Sep 30, 2006

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to put in hazards and just hook them up to one circuit of the blinkers. Then by turning on one of the blinkers I'd have hazards.

rico304 · Sep 30, 2006

Iplayfarmer said:
I'm wondering if it would be worth it to put in hazards and just hook them up to one circuit of the blinkers. Then by turning on one of the blinkers I'd have hazards.

I would do that if it were me. I always have my flashers on when people are anywhere in the area. Better safe than sorry. I do use my directionals when on the road, but just because they are there. I wouldn't miss them if they weren't. Hand signals work fine if you need to let people know which way you are turning.

sandman2234 · Sep 30, 2006

Wish mine had lights....
The farm that owned my tractor was a little lax in fixing lights, so as they broke, they were not there. I have some lights in the nose but nothing else, and I really miss them.
David from jax

BTDT · Oct 1, 2006

Being seen is a good thing. A lot of accident reports begin with "I didn't see ..." whatever it was they ran over. Led's would be good, wouldn't have to worry about filament breakage due to vibration. You might even get carried away and put some of those neon lights underneath for added effect--blue for Ford, Orange for Kubota, etc.

Bird · Oct 1, 2006

If you're on a public road, especially at night, the flashers may (and of course, may not) keep you from being hit by another vehicle. However, if you have them and they were working, at least you can say you did everything possible to make your tractor visible to other traffic. If you don't have lights, you may find yourself liable for the damage to the other vehicle instead of that driver being liable for your damage.

Sully2 · Oct 1, 2006

Iplayfarmer said:
I was checking wiring on my tractor tonight in anticipation of adding some rear work lights to make plowing snow easier after work this winter. To my surprise I found the wires for blinkers and they both worked. I thought the switch on the dash for blinkers was just vestigial (as if maybe the same panel is used on higher end models too.) It doesn't look like there ever were blinkers or tail lights on the tractor.

How important/helpful are blinkers? I drive a little in the winter to various neighboors' houses to plow thier snow, but I never drive very far. If anything I would probably like flashers or just tail lights for visibility, but I have no control on the dash for emergency flashers.

You have too many safety lights...when you turn them all on and the alternator drags the engine down!!......

Its one of the reasons why my 15 amp "dynamo" ( equiv to a std 5 cell flashlight) will be replaced this winter with the 40 amp upgrade... I intend on welding a "tab" on top of the ROPS to install a magnetic base STROBE light...so some "ya-hoo" doesnt sneak up behind me and run over the top of me on a country road.

Trahere · Oct 1, 2006

I want to post to being seen or was it being heard I can't remember.

My wife asked the same question, Why the ---- does the ---- thing have blinkers?

Soundguy · Oct 3, 2006

IMHO.. Hazards are real helpfull and a safety item.. if you can add them to your tractor.. do so.

Even on my old fords, i install a flashing red lamp above my SMV sign, and hook it up to a cig lighter adaper i added.. etc.

Soundguy

mjarrels · Oct 3, 2006

If it were not for a couple blinkers, I would not have anything to tear off on trees and fences. Orange tractor is never on public roads.

"Underway... shift colors"

mark

jbrumberg · Oct 5, 2006

Iplayfarmer:

I live on a back country road and ocassionally drive the 1.3 miles of back roads to the school I work at to till the school's garden. I have asked two local police officers about the legality of traveling on the road. Both of the officers told me that I need a SMV emblem and need to have my headlights and hazard lights on when traveling on the road. I use my turn signals because I have them as well as hand signals. They also told me that I should stay completely on the road when traveling. I also use my hazards when plowing the end of my driveway when near the road. A lot of jerks speed on this road. I've seen a few spin outs when those individuals who do not know how to drive in winter conditions over-react to my road presence when legally plowing my driveway near the road. The added visibility especially when plowing in low light conditions gives drivers additonal time to react. Jay

Soundguy · Oct 5, 2006

I've heard the same advice from LEO's here in florida... SMV plaques, headlamps, and hazards, and fully occupy your lane.. don't drive half on the shoulder and half off the road.

Soundguy

Iplayfarmer · Oct 6, 2006

It seems the concensus is that flashers are downright handy whereas blinkers are more of a conversation piece.

I picked up some red LED marker lights that I'm going to wire up to one of the blinker circuits. I figure that the LED's will not put too much of a draw on the electrical.

Soundguy · Oct 7, 2006

Yep.. less load.. and no filament to be vibrated loose / broke... and no socket to corode out..

Soundguy

Farmwithjunk · Oct 7, 2006

Have you ever rode a motorcycle on a busy highway? The first thing you'll notice is how other motorist's DON'T notice you.

Same applies to a slow moving tractor on a public road. Then consider that tractor is zipping along at 15 MPH when cars are closing at 55 MPH sometimes.

You need every concievable way of making yourself noticed.

Flashers are a good way.

15 years ago, I lost a very close friend when a car slammed in the back of his tractor on a county road. It was broad daylight. SMV emblem was in place. Flashers were on. Tractor was bright orange. (Allis Chalmers 190XT) Driver still didn't see him. Take every precaution possible. Then be very aware of what's going on around you. Assume everyone is TRYING to hit you. In a car vs. tractor accident, you are more like a motorcycle that you can imagine.

sandman2234 · Oct 9, 2006

I started to argue on how my 7,000 pound tractor was in no manner anything like a motorcycle, and then I started thinking about it, and realized it really does have some similarities. Guess I need to get my helmet out when I start bush hogging the asphalt...
David from jax

Iplayfarmer · Oct 15, 2006

O.K. The LED marker light idea doesn't work.

It seems the blinker circuit for my tractor whether by design or by old age is a low current/high current type of pulse rather than a full off/full on type. I saw this with my test light but didn't think anything of it. When I got the LED marker lights hooked up they were just on all the time. No blink. The test light blinks, but the LED's don't.

In retrospect, that makes perfect sense due to the nature of an LED. I just didn't take the time to think about that untill after I got everything hooked up.

Looks like it's back to the good old incandescent bulbs.

Bummer.

I custom fabricated my brackets for those exact lights.

Willl · Oct 15, 2006

One of those little cube relays might do it.

Or replace your flasher w/ an electronic one.

patrick_g · Oct 15, 2006

My Kubota has 4-way flashers and turn signals. 4 way flashers for vehicles on a public road at speeds under 45MPH (most of us on tractors) are a good idea. Turn signals aren't particularly important unless you have a cab and can't give hand signals (or only have one arm that works and you need it for steering.) I have rear work lights and typically turn them on if I am on the highway after dark. They help you to be seen. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pat