Late evening mowing

Schultz · Sep 14, 2004

Lately with all the kids back in school, all the things going on with the family and the sun setting earlier I haven't been able to get the lawn mowed. We mow about 3 acres, we only get one part done and it would be dark. Two trips to Murray's auto parts and problem solved. See attachment.

The first try with driving lights didn't last more than one mowing. The filaments were shook apart. But I explained what I was doing to the parts store and they said bring them back if there were problems so I did. The box also said "For off road use only" I exchanged them for the next better driving lights and mounted them on 2" closed cell foam to absorb some of the shock that a mower deck takes. So far so good. Each light is a 55 watt halogen and boy do these light up the yard. I mounted them down on the deck so I could see immeadiately in front of the deck and beyond I'm quite happy with them. Next they will be transferred to the snow blower.

Also the combined 110 watts with the 50 watts of headlights is still within the capiblities of the 15 amp regulator so I still have a charged battery for the next mowing.

Gatorboy · Sep 14, 2004

Have you thought about mowing during daylight hours on the weekend? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

slowrev · Sep 14, 2004

I keep looking for a weed eater with a headlight on it. Just not enough daylight hours to get everything done.......

beenthere · Sep 14, 2004

Apparently the original lights in the hood don't work, or are they cosmetic? The lights on my Deere x485 work just great for night mowing. Sometimes that is the best time after the wind has died down and it is calm and cool.

I would find that the lights on the mower deck would be wiped out with brush and branches all too quickly and would be in a cloud of dust, I am afraid. Good luck with your lights.

bontai_Joe · Sep 15, 2004

If it works for you, great! I would have thought that mounting them directly on the deck would be a terrible place because of the excessive vibration. I also think that mounting them higher up on the tractor and pointing them downward would give better results, but you may have something there. My above opinions are merely guess work, you actually did it.

Schultz · Sep 15, 2004

I looked at mounting them on the fenders, but they seemed to be in the way no matter where I put them. The front head lights work but not enough to see where the outside edge of the mower deck is, that's why I wanted them back by the mower deck. The other good thing about having them low is they shine out across the lawn and you can line up where you're mowing and mow straight lines. Fortunately I don't have a lot of dust to deal with, and yes I have to be a little more conscious of what I run the mower deck through.