Loader mounted lights

[rockyridgefarm]

Has anyone mounted lights to their lower FEL arms? I am picturing something heavy duty with brush guards...

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> Has anyone mounted lights to their lower FEL arms? </font>
I considered it, but the issue of connecting and disconnecting wires when I wanted to remove the FEL caused me to install lights on the ROPS.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Yup, I also figure on quick connectors for the wiring...

 

[beenthere]

I don't want anything else up there to have to look around. I don't often operate the FEL in the dark, so the regular tractor lights/FEL problem hasn't been an issue (so far). I would think the lights would have to be pretty rugged and very well protected to avoid getting 'punched out'.
The ROPS lights might be the best, as long as low limbs can be avoided. I can't avoid them so will not try that solution either.
Hope you find what works for you. Good luck.

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> Yup, I also figure on quick connectors for the wiring... </font>
I actually bought some MSD weather proof connectors to do this. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif The only place I could think to mount the lights on the FEL was on each of the vertical supports at the rear of the FEL. Another other location on the FEL means the lights will move when the FEL moves and what I needed was for the lights to remain pointing in front of the tractor.

 

[art]

You had better be building some really heavy duty lite frames as if moving brush those lights could just be ripped off by some nasty branch.

 

[KubotaSteve]

I had been thinking about adding additional lights to my 7800 and naturally the ROPS was the first thing that came to mind. But I have to keep lowering it to get it inside the shed so I decided against that. I have been thinking about adding some on top of the Brush guard on the front of the tractor. Anybody have pros or cons about mounting lights on the brush guard in the front?

 

[JerryG]

You might try putting them on a rod placed on the loader up-rights. I don't remember who it was, but someone posted a picture, where they did them that way, here a while back. I know that I couldn't, because I would have them knocked off in no time at all. But it might work for you.

 

[GerardC]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I had been thinking about adding additional lights to my 7800 and naturally the ROPS was the first thing that came to mind. But I have to keep lowering it to get it inside the shed so I decided against that. I have been thinking about adding some on top of the Brush guard on the front of the tractor. Anybody have pros or cons about mounting lights on the brush guard in the front?)</font>

Think about the name of what it is that you want to mount to /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. I wouldn't. G

 

[Bob_Skurka]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I had been thinking about adding additional lights to my 7800 and naturally the ROPS was the first thing that came to mind. But I have to keep lowering it to get it inside the shed so I decided against that. )</font>


I have lights mounted to the ROPS and left enough slack in the wire to allow for the ROPS to fold. Has not been a problem. The wires are inside of a shielded wiring protector and I just made sure the ROPS would fold by leaving a little slack at the hinge point.


As for the post about not putting lights on the ROPS because of branches, I have the same problem. But I solved it by mounting the lights on a light bar that is attached to the rear of the ROPS and then hanging the lights from that light bar. It positions the lights both UNDER the ROPS and BEHIND its leading edge. When I hit branches with the ROPS, which I do almost every time I pull the tractor out of the garage, the ROPS hits the branch and it pushes the branch out of the way (or cracks it off) without the branch hitting the lights (at least so far). There have been several other members who have built shields around ROPS mounted lights.

 

[chim]

Here's what I did. The lights are mounted to the fixed part of the loader frame. My tractor sees a fair amount of "night shift" work. The position of these lights keeps them protected. Another benefit in Summer is having bugs attracted to the engine area instead of the ROPS. The (flood pattern) lights are angled out slightly and provide almost 180 degrees of good lighting.......................chim

 

[chim]

From the front. The combo of the factory lights and the add-ons work pretty well for loader operation. The factory lights by themselves are pretty worthless. When I mow at night, I use the added lights only....................chim

 

[WILLIS14710]

You could also use a magnetic mount like the brake lights for towing. that way the light won't get broken just pop off And you can position it where you want it

 

[rockyridgefarm]

That is just the idea I have come around to! That will also be good for moving to the rear for the hoe!!!

 

[GoodGuy]

I'd really be interested in any suggestions because alot of my work is nights. I also have a BH so I need them facing forward and back. I've even considered removing the top section of my ROPS and mounting them there. Any unique ideas would be appreciated /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[surfran]

I also use the magnetic base units with two mounted forward and one (non magnetic) mounted backward (this one using tie wraps for quick removal).

In any event I only use mine in the Winter as during this time of year the daylight is long enough for anything I am interested in doing.

This option may not be the best if you are constantly going under trees and such, but works great if not (I do have limbs and did catch them a few times this Winter, but never knocked a light off, but did move them).

Best thing is they go on and off in 5 minutes (only takes that long because I need to dig them out of the tool box and zip tie the cables /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

Bought mine at Walmart for about $18 each (55W Halogen).

 

[Larry_Van_Horn]

I have toyed with the idea of mounting them on the loader arms, or more accurately inside the loader arms. The thing I looked for and could not find were gimbal backets so that the lights would remain level regardless of the inclination.