Kubota B7800 Headlight Upgrade
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MikeInEburg
Veteran Member
Most folks who have done something have added extra lights on roll bar so that loader doesn't block light. Search "lighting" and you'll see LOTS of threads.
Cheers!
Mike
Cheers!
Mike
Ductape
Elite Member
I changed out the bulbs on my 3030 to LEDs. Before you ask how much better the visibility is with them....... i'll tell you i don't know. Since most of my night use is snow removal, i'm always using the work lights up on the cab.......... since the headlights shine more at the back of the blower more than the ground ahead of me. I do run the headlights, so i was after the greatly reduced amperage draw of the LEDs. The light from the LEDS is much more white, where the original incandescents put out a more yellow looking light. The swap was as simple as changing two bulbs, and frees up juice for additional work lights elsewhere. You can see the difference here.
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Farmall45b
Silver Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2008
- Messages
- 203
- Location
- White Bear Lake, Minnesota
- Tractor
- 2014 Kubota B2650 HSD Cab
Ductape, where did you find LED bulbs? Do they plug right in to the same socket at the standard bulbs?
Ductape
Elite Member
I bought them locally at a truck accessory shop for big trucks (commonly called 'chrome shops'). The bulbs fit an 1156 socket. I also put a different style LED bulb in my tail lights. No doubt you can find them cheaper online..... i think they were a little under $20 / bulb. Just pop the old bulbs out.... push the news ones in. No modifications. They draw a fraction of an amp each.
LQPAPPY
Silver Member
Ductape,
Did you have any problem with the diameter of the LED fitting in the headlight opening ? I had purchased the super bright halogen and then was concerned with the added heat and have never installed them. Looked at the LED but most with the brighter ratings looked like they might not fit the opening. I found several bright bulbs with the 1156 base but most seemed to burn hotter. Just wondered if you have used yours much and if you see any problems ? I know the LED operate with less heat maybe even less than original bulbs.
Did you have any problem with the diameter of the LED fitting in the headlight opening ? I had purchased the super bright halogen and then was concerned with the added heat and have never installed them. Looked at the LED but most with the brighter ratings looked like they might not fit the opening. I found several bright bulbs with the 1156 base but most seemed to burn hotter. Just wondered if you have used yours much and if you see any problems ? I know the LED operate with less heat maybe even less than original bulbs.
Ductape
Elite Member
No problems with the headlights at all. They fit fine, and heat hasn't been an issue. I don't know how many hours i have on the bulbs, maybe 40 or 50 ? The lights are on several hours at a time whenever i snowblow at night. The bulbs i put in the tail lights are different, with all the diodes facing out the rear, instead of the diodes being all around the bulb like the headlights. I did have to grind out the bottom of the tail light bucket a little, then epoxy over the hole i made to make them water tight again. Overall i'm very happy with the LED bulbs so far.
LQPAPPY
Silver Member
Thanks for the reply. LED are not very available in my small town. I will check at a large truck stop first chance. I did purchase and have installed the Sylvania Silverstar 1156 which is advertised at least 30 % brighter same temp etc. We will see. Forecast for our first snow (we don't receive much) is Wed night-Thursday maybe 4".
red4now
Silver Member
Ductape,
Great idea using the LED to reduce amp draw - such a simple yet very effective change! Gotta love it. Keep those ideas coming.. ;-)
I tried some LED 1156 socket backup lights, for headlights in my B7800.
I don't know the watts or amps because the packaging does not state that info.
About $13.00 each
I can tell you they had 12 LED bulbs in each assy.
I did compare the brightness between one regular 1156 incandesant and one 1156 LED.
The incandesant gave off more light with a definite spot of light in the middle
and it did have that yellowish hue.
The LED was not as bright there was no definitive spot of light in the middle and the color was whiteish blue.
I then tried both LEDs together they seemed way too dim to work with.
To me, even the regular 1156 incandesant bulbs seem too dim, so these LEDs I returned to the store.
I have noticed on the internet there are 1156 LEDs that have 24 or more LED bulbs in each assy. , so they maybe ok.
For now I'm still using the stock incandesant bulbs.
bigdad
Platinum Member
I installed 1156 type LED "Bulbs" in the headlight position of my B7510 and noticed a slight reduction in the illumination. Mine are 24 LED Narrow viewing area model. (13 bucks a piece)
One thing to think about as far as the brightness difference between the old bulbs and LEDs. The reflector around the socket. They are designed to maximize/focus the illumination of a spherical incandescent bulb instead of a directional LED. With LEDs the parabolic reflector isn't really effective at all. One thing though, these LEDs only draw 75 milliamps.
I never thought that the headlights on that tractor were much to brag about no matter what bulbs were installed. To really see what you are doing at night I recommend work lights on the ROPS. I put an LED work light facing to the rear on the ROPS and Wow!! Wow on the price too!
One thing to think about as far as the brightness difference between the old bulbs and LEDs. The reflector around the socket. They are designed to maximize/focus the illumination of a spherical incandescent bulb instead of a directional LED. With LEDs the parabolic reflector isn't really effective at all. One thing though, these LEDs only draw 75 milliamps.
I never thought that the headlights on that tractor were much to brag about no matter what bulbs were installed. To really see what you are doing at night I recommend work lights on the ROPS. I put an LED work light facing to the rear on the ROPS and Wow!! Wow on the price too!
Yeah, bigdad
I was expecting more from the LEDs Bulbs in the Headlight position too.
Agreed, Work lights are the way to go.
I presently have two rear facing 35 watt work lights.
I what to replace the 35 watt lights with LEDs, plus add two forward facing LEDs,
mounted on my curtis cab just below the ROPS.
UPS just delivered four LED work lights Friday, but Two of the four LED Work lights I received are messed up, One had 3 LEDs not lighting, and the other had 6 LEDs not lighting. Each Work Light has 54 LEDs. (34 bucks a piece)
Hopefully I can get two good replacements soon.
Bill
red4now
Silver Member
That is a good point about the reflector around the socket. In my quick look at 1156 LED replacement lights, I have seen 3 different designs so far - LED's pointing straight out front, LED's pointing out front with one or two rows on the side and LED's pointing in what they call a 360 degree pattern which I think would be the closest to a standard 1156. This design should then make more use of the reflector. These ones have more than 24 LED's so that should also make a difference plus they were rated for off road use so should work OK in a tractor headlight application. I am looking at getting some depending on the price and will see what the differences are compared to the regular bulb.
DGS
Silver Member
I put 2 30w halogen back up light bulbs in the front on my BX1830, been in for 4yrs with no problems so far. These are 1156 bases and can be found at any auto supply.
I think mine were $40 CDN for the 2 but that was 4yrs back.
They throw out a very bright white light, much brighter than the original bulbs that came with it, haven't had heat issues either.
Regards
DGS
I think mine were $40 CDN for the 2 but that was 4yrs back.
They throw out a very bright white light, much brighter than the original bulbs that came with it, haven't had heat issues either.
Regards
DGS
bigdad
Platinum Member
DHD
I ordered a pair of the 360 degree 18 LED bulbs and installed them. (B7510) One photo shows the direct straight forward LED bulb on the right and the newer 360 on the left. The second picture shows both 360's installed. The picure doesn't really show the difference in illumination, but I can tell the difference. As we suspected, the utilization of the reflector is the key.
One thing I noticed. The LED configuration is different as far as, instead of the little round globes, these are little square wafer emitters. The LED's in the new Mag-lite flashlights are the same wafer type. BTW, those new Mag-lites fill the ticket!!!
I ordered a pair of the 360 degree 18 LED bulbs and installed them. (B7510) One photo shows the direct straight forward LED bulb on the right and the newer 360 on the left. The second picture shows both 360's installed. The picure doesn't really show the difference in illumination, but I can tell the difference. As we suspected, the utilization of the reflector is the key.
One thing I noticed. The LED configuration is different as far as, instead of the little round globes, these are little square wafer emitters. The LED's in the new Mag-lite flashlights are the same wafer type. BTW, those new Mag-lites fill the ticket!!!
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Window Geek
Silver Member
Yeah, I used the same 18 LED lamps on my B7610 in the headlites. They work great and save spare dyno capacity for other lights.
Paul
Paul
bigdad
I can see a difference in the two photo's.
(I agree that photo's don't really show everything you see in real time)
I think I was actually looking at those same 360 LED on the web site
SUPER BRIGHT LEDS - LED Lights & Accessories I think it is ?
From what I was seeing on the web site, I really couldn't figure out how the leds were arranged. But now that you mention wafers, I can now see what's going on.
I see they are two white bulbs listed a 1156-CW18-T Cool White
and a 1156-WW18-T Warm White
Which ones did you get ?
I finally got my Led work lights installed.
I originally ordered 4 and 2 were messed up.
I got my 2 replacements.
My old rearward 30 watt incandesants had more of a spot in them than do these Led.
So with the incandesants I could see farther but at a narrower field.
The Leds really spread out the light, really wide field, but I don't see as far.
Which is ok, better actually
I really like the wide field much better and the light has a brighter hue.
It'll be interesting to see how well this wide bright field is in a snowstorm.
I hope it's not too bright.
The 4th picture is the stock B7800 incandesant headlights.
All the others are Led.
Real world looks better than photo's.
Could be the dirty winshield too.
dhd
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bigdad
Platinum Member
Bill,
The headlight replacements I got are the Cool White 1156-CW18-T. From Superbright.
Their service is great. Three days sent in the US Mail.
Those work lights you installed are fantastic! I have one (round LED type) mounted facing down and rear at the hinge of my ROPS, and it's clean and bright. I can't imagine four. Must be like daylight! Good job.
The headlight replacements I got are the Cool White 1156-CW18-T. From Superbright.
Their service is great. Three days sent in the US Mail.
Those work lights you installed are fantastic! I have one (round LED type) mounted facing down and rear at the hinge of my ROPS, and it's clean and bright. I can't imagine four. Must be like daylight! Good job.
Thanks bigdad
Do you think you'll be adding anymore LEDs or are things bright enough for you now ?
These LED work lights I got were about $34 each.
I haven't had a chance to use these Leds in a snowstorm yet, the brightness concerns me.
I never thought I'd be looking forward to the next snowstorm.
dhd
