Lights on front grill guard vs rops

[stevenf]

I'm still in the I need more light mode and I'm wondering it would be so much easier to mount lights in the grill guard and just run a relay and switch back to the dash. Is there a drastic difference in light output (flood ability) mounted on top of the rops or should I take the easy way out and put them inside the grill guard. Its on a Kubota M9000 so the grill guard is decent sized I can fit a 5" light inside the top loops easy enough. But I'm concerned I'll wish they were higher and casting a larger light pattern. Has anyone mounted lights in their grill and regreted not putting them on the rops. If you've mounted them in the grill do they work well there or do you drop stuff out of the bucket on them frequently and break them or bump them on stuff. Mounting them in the grill raises them about a foot above the existing headlights. I looked at the Blazer magnetic ones at TSC but the sales guy there said he'd tryed them and the magnets weren't strong enough to withstand the constant vibrations and bumps attached to the rops and they'd come loose or swing almost free and reposition themselves in a different direction.
Steve

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

Just a thought....If you mount lights on the ROPS, you will have bugs flying around your head when they're turned on....BTDT.... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dliston]

The problem with putting them on the grill guard is that the FEL bucket is in the way... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[notamustang]

You might want to think about mounting them on the loader arms (if equiped) That is were I want to put mine. The bucket blocks the stock lights on my kubota. I also don't like the rops mounted forward facing lights unless they were mounted on the end a canopy. Good luck

 

[PineRidge]

Most guys like myself try to get them as high as possible so that they throw some light ahead of the bucket and are a bit harder to get knocked off by the limb of a tree. If mine get knocked off then I'm in trouble cause more than likely the same limb will be smacking me in the face.

I mounted mine forward on the canopy. Click on my signature link if you would like to see a picture or two.

 

[notamustang]

I like those lights pineridge. Thats exactly what I was thinking. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GerardC]

PineRidge has it all! Gerard

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> You might want to think about mounting them on the loader arms </font>
The problems to overcome when mounting lights on the loader are getting power to the lights in such a manner that the wires do not interfere with the loader operation as well as implementing some kind of disconnect feature so you can still take the loader off when needed.

 

[Freds]

If you never plan on using them to see behind you, like when using a rear blade, then the grill guard mounting should work OK... except for FEL use like mentioned.

 

[BX2230Dude]

Here's what I did to solve this problem. (Full post was back in December)

 

[notamustang]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The problems to overcome when mounting lights on the loader are getting power to the lights in such a manner that the wires do not interfere with the loader operation as well as implementing some kind of disconnect feature so you can still take the loader off when needed. )</font>
Youve got plenty of hydraulic hoses going to your loader right ? Why couldnt you have two wires in wire loom zip tied to said hoses /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. For disconecting they sell a two conductor flat plug at auto parts stores that work perfect for said aplication.
Steven

 

[notamustang]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Here's what I did to solve this problem. (Full post was back in December) )</font>

I was not even thinking of going that far, that works too. My plan was to weld tabs on the FEL arms at the point they drop down on the inside and mount the lights there.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( Here's what I did to solve this problem. (Full post was back in December) )</font>

I was not even thinking of going that far, that works too. My plan was to weld tabs on the FEL arms at the point they drop down on the inside and mount the lights there. )</font>
How would you keep the lights aimed in either set up?
Every time you raise or lower the arms or curl the bucket it changes where the lights shine?

 

[notamustang]

With floods you do not need a whole lot of focus and lets face it the tractor is not gonna be making any speed except on familiar surface. I use two pair of the rubber housing round tractor lights on my jeeps. One set for back up and the other set for rock lights. I am very pleased with the results. Is it perfect no, but I just have never liked having lights behind my head.
I mount all my lights in front of me. I even tried one of those helmet lights for off roading and thought that it would be perfect but I just did not like it. I would rather run more lights on my quad. So I do /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif