Loaders and Lights

SethO · Nov 27, 2002

It seems that once you have a loader, your front lights are useless. I wonder whether we should have a situation whereby additional lights are installed with your loader, the lights can either be on the ROPS or elsewhere, but definitely high enough to be useful.
Any comments?

Seth

tc35dforme · Nov 27, 2002

seth, 'useless' is such a strong word. you don't feel that lighting the back of the bucket is useful ??? /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif.

there have been many threads about ligthing and the various and creative ways to mount and wire them. try a search under 'customization'. I have added ( 2 ) trap halogens facing forward and a flood facing the rear. all are mounted to the underside of the rops cross member.

Bird · Nov 27, 2002

It's very common to add lights to the ROPS (with some aimed forward and some aimed backwards). I had a canopy on my last tractor and mounted the lights to the canopy frame (under the canopy). I don't know about the BX, but the B series Kubotas already have a fused circuit with a wire under the seat to tie into for optional work lights. You just need the lights, mounting brackets, wire, and switch.

Anonymous Poster · Nov 27, 2002

It's interesting that you bring up a connection "under the seat" as there seems to be one on my BX-22 that might meet that description. I haven't had time to check it out with a meter yet, but it definately would solve the, "How to I get power to the ROPS?" question. Although Mother Nature did the snow removal today in SE PA, the FEL does interfere with night-lighting should that be necessary.

RobertN · Nov 27, 2002

You could mount the lights on the loader frame, just near the bucket. Since you already have hydraulics, you could add a hydraulic Auto-gyrotational leveler to the brakets, so the lights remain level and pointing forward, no matter the position of the loader.

Of course, the auto-gyro levelor would probably cost twice as much as the tractor did/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Bird · Nov 27, 2002

Jim, if it's the same as the B series, it has a fuse in the fuse panel and is wired through the ignition switch (only hot when the key of turned on).

Anonymous Poster · Nov 27, 2002

Thanks, Bird. I'll check it out when we return from the Turkey-day festivities in the land of disorganization...err, my wife's sibling's dinner celebration. <G>

(Great name, BTW...this is a "bird-friendly" houshold - <A target="_blank" HREF=http://sawsndust.com/birdies.htm>http://sawsndust.com/birdies.htm</A>)

Rus91 · Nov 27, 2002

My tractoris a 4010 and has a 20 amp alternator. How many lights can I add. I was thinking 2 facing forward on the ROPS and 1 facing rearward. I have no idea what the working load is. What do you do for a switch?

On another but related note, what are the pros and cons of using my loader to remove snow vs. a blade on the rear?

frank_f15 · Nov 28, 2002

found that out did u? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I only use at night for plowing snow, and it is a pain not to have sufficient light.

frank_f15 · Nov 28, 2002

BIRD: i took a quick look for that wire for additional lights did not see it under the seat , course i was in a hurry and just glanced, 1998 b2400.

chim · Nov 28, 2002

Here's where I mounted the front-facing lights on the B7500. They work pretty well there. I used the flood pattern (have a trapezoid on the rear of my Ford, and the beam is narrow).

The two added front lights cover nearly a 180° area, even in front of the tractor................chim

MikePA · Nov 28, 2002

Seth, attached is a picture of the lights I installed on my TC25D. The upper right picture shows the driving lights I installed underneath the top of the ROPS for use with the FEL.

Bird · Nov 28, 2002

Frank, I don't know whether your tractor has that wire or not, but I didn't find mine the first time I looked either because I was looking for a loose wire. Mine had a connector on the end, but the end was securely taped to another wire going to the taillights. I had to remove the tape to see the unused connector. It was under the seat to the right of center.

cowboydoc · Nov 28, 2002

I totally agree with you. That is a project I hope to complete this weekend as well as some lighting for the back as well.

SethO · Nov 28, 2002

Mike,

Thanks, I will try and set up something similar too.

Seth

herbenus · Dec 12, 2002

I didn't see anything here about the switches. I just bought some lights, along with some toggles from Tractor Supply. But they didn't have any weatherfproof switches. I'm worried about rain shorting them out. I'll try to mount them under something, and coat with goop, but I'm starting to envision it looking somewhat like manure. Anybody got some pictures of a nicer setup than I think I'm going to wind up with.

herbenus · Dec 12, 2002

Cancel above post. I found tons of posts about light installations with pictures after doing a simple search. I've got to learn to hit that button more, and earlier...

cchoate · Dec 12, 2002

Here's how I mounted a set of lights to my b7500.

Anonymous Poster · Dec 12, 2002

Hey Seth,
Re: rear blade vs. fel for snow, it's a nice combo for both,
FEL floats about, 2 inches above ground, rear blade does the rest. Worked great in 6 " powder, we'll see in the heavier stuff. So fun did 5 neighbors drive's...

Anonymous Poster · Dec 14, 2002

I just have an off the subject question about "bird." Where did that name come from? Are you a birder? I'm an avid birder and also a falconer. Just curious.

Blake