Idea for BX25 accessory (lighting)

[Scooby074]

As most of us know, the BX has miserable work lighting, particularly at the rear.

So i was sitting there in the dark thinking about it when an idea came to me...

Replace the red rear light lenses with clear.. so easy and it almost makes sense. Not like im going to go cruising the highway on my bx, so why do i need red lights?

If i had access to an injection molder, i know what id be making and selling.

I know some have put rear facing work lights on the ROPS but its an ugly solution (no offense).

Anybody know a neat way to install rear lighting?

All these companies with their CUTS really do have crap for work lighting... Its really frustrating when the company could come up with a really clean solution from the factory when theyre designing these machines. I have noticed that Deere has added forward work lights to the fenders of the new 10xx series machines. I imagine theyd help lots when the loader is mounted.

 

[Scooby074]

Doing a little research.

Heres the JDM kubota B i believe. If you look below the headlights you'll notice what appears to be a pair of LED? work lights. Now why doesnt Kubota offer that here? :mur:

And that black platform on the LH side? A shelf to rest your fuel can when refueling using a battery pump. How many people have complained on TBN about having to hoist up a fuel tank when trying to refill their tractor? Another great feature, not here.

 

[Scooby074]

This is the french BX which appears the same as the Bx in the UK

Notice the light package on the ROPS. It includes a forward facing clear. It could easily be adapted to be a rear facing clear if kubota chose or person could modify it to face rear.

 

[Scooby074]

And the French B. Front aux and rear work light

So far it seems like all other markets offer some form of factory aux lighting, particularly in the forward direction... Why not here. Im sure kubota doesnt offer it so they can maximize profit, but at least give the option.

 

[CHDinCT]

Now that the JD 1026 comes standard with auxiliary front work lights, maybe Kubota will offer something standard or optional on the next BX. Personally, I have no issues with mounting ROPS lights. I wired and mounted two forward and one rearward work lights from the ROPS. Being up high, they illuminate very well. I think the JD versions will be in the way sooner or later and still won't help if you have the FEL on.

 

[Scooby074]

Now that the JD 1026 comes standard with auxiliary front work lights, maybe Kubota will offer something standard or optional on the next BX. Personally, I have no issues with mounting ROPS lights. I wired and mounted two forward and one rearward work lights from the ROPS. Being up high, they illuminate very well. I think the JD versions will be in the way sooner or later and still won't help if you have the FEL on.

My issue with lights on the ROPS is its never a real clean install. Its more of an esthetic thing and being tall, it cuts into the headroom under the rops during operation and moving from front to back.

I think that JD's front mount lights will be a benefit. You can angle them outward to the outside edges of the bucket.

I noticed that on the French B that when the loader is installed there is a bracket that moves the lights to the outside of the loader mount to maintain their usefulness.

My main issue however is rearward lighting. That was the basis of my original post suggesting clear lenses for the rear lights.

If the rear lights weren't moulded into the fenders it would be much easier to just remove the complete assembly and install a close fitting clear light assembly.

I created this thread to discuss Rear lighting options (other than the traditional ROPS mounted solution). I cant believe that this is news to Kubota. No rear task lighting from factory might pass on a lawnmower... but on a tractor, especially one with a rear backhoe is really unacceptable.

I think that if there was a factory option available here in North America someone would have installed it on a BX by now.

Attached is a picture of a Deere x595. Notice the clear inserts in the tail lights that will provide some rear work lighting.Thats similar to what im proposing for the BX.

 

[Scooby074]

Something like SoundOff signal's mighty night light would work on the rear fender and provide a low draw light source

SoundOff Signal - Mighty Night Light

Or their LED3

 

[bcp]

Some time ago I watched a small Komatsu dozer working at night. It appeared to have a single light, on or under the ROPS, that brightly lit up a circular area about 100 ft radius. No directional beam to it at all. I thought that would make a great work light if I could find out what it was.

Bruce

 

[Scooby074]

Some time ago I watched a small Komatsu dozer working at night. It appeared to have a single light, on or under the ROPS, that brightly lit up a circular area about 100 ft radius. No directional beam to it at all. I thought that would make a great work light if I could find out what it was.

Bruce

Deere's new J series dozers have some nice compact lighting. I imagine its Halogen but it could be LED due to its compact size

Notice just above the radiator in the forward facing photo and above the door. These are built in lights, but They also offer a standalone unit for the rear.

Look under the AC unit hanging off the back of the cab for a standalone unit

 

[Scooby074]

Theyre Halogen. See the attached image from the brochure. They appear to just be MR16 lights.

I found them in the deere fiche.. but no price listed... You know theyre going to be expensive however.


http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.HomePageServlet_Alt

Edit: well maybe not THAT bad... but bad enough, The only price i could find for the complete kit, PN AT307941 was on a state procurement document, and the price was $468.. But that was for the whole kit i assume. Harness, switches, mounts etc. The fixtures themselves would be a small part of the cost of the kit.

 

[CHDinCT]

Scooby, I am 99% certain Kubota offers an optional rear work light for all their US tractors. Those I've seen mount to a bracket on one of the vertical ROPS posts. Their tractors usually come with a wire run to the back that is tied into the ignition switch via a relay for ease of installation. Have you checked for you model?

PS - had a JD X485 with the rear backup lights. They were nice for backing up at night but didn't illuminate a very large area. You might have the same issue converting your Kubota rear marker lights.

 

[fish6942]

I made a magnetic light bar that goes on the top off the ROPS. It includes a heavy duty cord that wraps around the vertical part of the ROPS and plugs into a power plug behind the seat. The light bar has two forward facing trapezoid lights and two more facing rearward.

They work perfectly with one exception, I have to really watch my overhead clearances when they're mounted. Not a big deal as I never mow at night and mowing is the only time that I drive underneath the trees.

Also, I temporarily placed some worklights underneath the top of the ROPS and found that they were much too close to my head!!

 

[kcender]

Scooby, I am 99% certain Kubota offers an optional rear work light for all their US tractors. Those I've seen mount to a bracket on one of the vertical ROPS posts. Their tractors usually come with a wire run to the back that is tied into the ignition switch via a relay for ease of installation. Have you checked for you model?

PS - had a JD X485 with the rear backup lights. They were nice for backing up at night but didn't illuminate a very large area. You might have the same issue converting your Kubota rear marker lights.

About two years ago I purchased a Kubota rear work light for the BX25 that I had at the time.With the tax that we pay it was about 130 dollars.There wasn't much to the kit:a couple of wires,a bracket and the light with a built in switch.I will have to say that I was quite disappointed in the quality and performance of the light.I think I could have got more illumination from a flashlight.I talked to the dealer but he wasn't willing to give me a refund as he had to order the light in for me.He said to check the ground but it made no difference.The output of the light was so poor I took it off and left it on the shelf.I would be very cautious if buying a work light from Kubota.

 

[freddyr]

I got a xenon 55watt flood light, than got a magnet from harbor fright, put a cigarret plug on and its wonderful. only draws a couple of amps:thumbsup:

 

[Scooby074]

About two years ago I purchased a Kubota rear work light for the BX25 that I had at the time.With the tax that we pay it was about 130 dollars.There wasn't much to the kit:a couple of wires,a bracket and the light with a built in switch.I will have to say that I was quite disappointed in the quality and performance of the light.I think I could have got more illumination from a flashlight.I talked to the dealer but he wasn't willing to give me a refund as he had to order the light in for me.He said to check the ground but it made no difference.The output of the light was so poor I took it off and left it on the shelf.I would be very cautious if buying a work light from Kubota.

Thanks. Thats good info.:thumbsup:

CHDinCT: in light of kcender's post im probably going to avoid the factory Kubota light

Would you say the deere lights would be adequate to run a showblower or backhoe? I dont need hundreds of watts as if i had a 20' disk back there to watch. I really only need to light the area within the swing of the backhoe and maybe a bit more.

I really like the look of those LED's from SoundOff i posted earlier. They even have a flood lens and a 15* angled lens and come in a very compact package. The angle lens could be useful to project the light around the operators legs if he was sitting in the BH seat.

Only problem is the cheapest price i could find was $95/ea then theres shipping to me.. Its not a cheap solution by any means.

 

[Concordriver]

I have the BXpanded work lights for my BX24. Couldn't ask for any better illumination. Very simple to install. Work Lights

 

[EagleTDL]

I have the BXpanded work lights for my BX24. Couldn't ask for any better illumination. Very simple to install. Work Lights

I've wondered about these... Did you go with the 2 light or 3 light setup?? Thanks!

 

[oldballs]

I'm with Jason in having the factory installed lighting, especially with a backhoe model. But his fender light idea would only be better than nothing as I see it. Doing such work in the dark would need the lighting to be up at a higher angle and wider coverage. My BX2660 front lights are adequate without the FEL. But the BX Expanded set up (two light) works great. It's just not as esthetic as a factory design could be. A DIY could build them cheaper if he really had some experience. And yes, they are on top of the ROPS and may get knocked off someday....but so might I.

 

[CHDinCT]

Would you say the deere lights would be adequate to run a showblower or backhoe? I dont need hundreds of watts as if i had a 20' disk back there to watch. I really only need to light the area within the swing of the backhoe and maybe a bit more.

Scooby, sold the JD X485 back in early 2008 and never really used it at night. I only recall seeing them when I backed the tractor into the garage at dusk or so. Like others have said, especially for BH work, you really need something up higher and more of a flood pattern IMHO. The JD lights would be low and to your sides and might be distracting as much as helpful.

The BXpanded work light from what I recall is magnetic and plugs into the DC plug (i.e., cig lighter) so it could be mounted as needed then removed if you don't like the aesthetics.

 

[Danner]

This is a good thread, and it got me going on some rear lights for my BX. I settled on this rugged LED unit from SoundOff Signals:

4" Round LED work light (500 lumens)

I just need to decide where to mount them...