Rear work lights on a BX23

[jim_wilson]

As the sun started going down earlier I realized that what I really needed was some work lights on the back of my BX23. I wanted to be able to use the lights with the backhoe and with attachments mounted on the back of the tractor. I also wanted them to act as backup lights so I could see what I was doing when going in reverse. I thought of maybe mounting some lights on the backhoe unit itself but figured that would not work too well when the backhoe was removed. I also thought of mounting them up high on the ROPS but wanted to avoid running the wiring all that distance and having the figure out how to run the wiring and deal with the folding ROPS. I also wanted them protected from getting whacked off by branches and did not want them in my way when I was using the backhoe - and I didn't want them blocking the warning lamps. I ended up finding the perfect place for them - they illuminate the ground just right with either the 3pt and an attachment on the back and they work great with the backhoe on also. I get light all around the backhoe and far enough out so that I can see the whole digging area. They are also protected from getting hit and not in my way when working. The only thing I did which is a little bit of a no no was that I TIG welded a tab onto the ROPS on each side to mount them. I ended up however with a nice clean factory looking installation.

 

[jim_wilson]

another shot showing the mounting tab

 

[jim_wilson]

another shot from the back

 

[jim_wilson]

yet another shot from the back

 

[jim_wilson]

A shot showing the backhoe attached with the light on

 

[jim_wilson]

A good shot from the back with the lights on and the backhoe attached

 

[jim_wilson]

another shot

 

[jim_wilson]

last one

 

[DannyD]

OK, nice job, I dont weld, but not against using any other options to mount the lights. My question is how are they wired and where did you start etc on this.

My goal is to have lights such as you have, an outlet that I can plug my pull behind sprayer into with a switch that I can get to from the seat, and even some front lights, or a strobe for the winter months plowing snow.

thanks, and a photo is worth a thousand words, I like what you did on your lights, cool placement.

 

[HarleyScooter]

Danny, I put two front and two rear facing 55 watt lights on the ROP's and a flat four trailer connector at the back of the 3 point. They are all controlled from 50 amp HD toggle switches mounted in the dash. I bought inline blade fuse holders and started at the battery for power, I have a seperate fuse for each circuit, from the switches I ran the wires back under the tractor inside a new wire loom attached to the original wire harness. The 50 amp switches were purchase from a truck parts supplier and eliminated the need for relays in the circuit I use the flat four connector when I tow my 6-1/2' X 12' trailer so I can have running lights, but you could run your sprayer from there. I will attach some pictures of the switches and lights.
Frank

 

[HarleyScooter]

A picture of the lights. I picked them up at Harbor Frieght on sale for $20 a set, they are small in size but they put out a lot of light.

 

[HarleyScooter]

One last picture of the lights from the back.

 

[jim_wilson]

Hi Danny
Well I got started by first looking around for a decent set of lights. I wanted something that had a glass lense so that it wouldn't yellow over time and I wanted something that was going to stand up to the occasional whack from a tree branch. The lights I ended up using were Hella worklight which I got online from AWDirect - Hella work lamp . I had actually bought a pair of the Hella double lamp worklights to mount up high on the ROPS and decided that what I really wanted for now was something up high. One of the biggest things that was driving me was just getting something on the tractor and working because I needed lights to be able to continue working as the days got shorter. The first thing I did to try and figure out where I wanted to put them was temporarily hook one of the lights up to a battery from my 18volt Dewalt cordless so I could use it like a spotlight and move it around on the tractor to decide where a good placement was. I decided on down below the fold point on the ROPS because I wanted to avoid having to get all fancy running the wiring to compensate for the fold point. I also wanted them to be protected from getting whacked by tree branches and not be in my way when I was using the backhoe. The place where I ended up putting them turned out to be just right - they are just inside the plane of the ROPS and they don't project into the inside area of the ROPS where they might be in my way when using the backhoe. They are also high enough not to block the warning lamps. I originally intended to run new wiring to the back of the tractor and install a switch on the dash somewhere to control the lights. To save time and get the things working ASAP I ended up using the wiring pigtails that are located under the seat - I used some black wiring loom I got in a kit from JCWhitney and some automotive wiring I had on hand and just ran the wiring down to the pigtail location and spliced it in. The problem with doing this is that the pigtail is hot whenever the ignition is on - so the lights stay on all the time. The pigtail is routed thru the little fuseblock that is under the dash and has a 20amp fuse on it though so that is good. When I get the chance I think I may splice into the wiring under the dash coming from that fusebox out the pigtail and insert a switch on the dash. I got a BX headlight switch from the Kubota dealer all ready to go for when I finally get the chance to do it. I have had these on the tractor now for about a month and they work great either with a rear implement or with the backhoe. When the backhoe is on it lights the whole thing up just right and I can see far enough out and to either side to use the full range of the hoe. The only problem is with digging a deep trench close to the tractor - they dont shine down far enough for that. I have a set of the double bulb Hella worklighs that I want to mount up high on the ROPS for that when I get a chance.
The biggest problem that I see with the tractor now as far as lighting is the front headlights are a real pain to use when you are using the FEL. I plan on mounting some lights down low on the front to shine under the FEL when traveling and then another light up higher to shine over which I think will give me pretty good lighting coverage. I will post more when I have this done - I have to pick up the steel this week so I should have it done in week or two.

 

[DannyD]

Thanks Jim

I found that pigtail under the seat, and checked it to be as you said, hot with ignition on. Why can we not come out of that, put in a cig rect. and plug into that for items like sprayers, then off the same hot lead have a switch on one lead to the lights. I would think this would work.

 

[gugy]

Hey Jim,
Nice clean professional job.
I did something similar but without welding.On the lower part of the ropes(BX-22) there is a web that I was just able to drill a 5/16 hole to mount the lights see attached photo.

 

[gugy]

Picture #2

 

[jim_wilson]

That sure sounds like it would work fine - if I remember correctly the pigtail leads to a 20 amp fuse in that little fuseblock so you should have enough there to power lights and the sprayer. You might be able to find some sort of case or container to put the cig receptacle in that would also let you mount the switch. You might also think about using something other than a cig lighter socket - check out Waytek Wire - they carry all sorts of automotive style switches, connectors etc. For something like a tractor that is exposed to the weather a sealed type connector would probably work better in the long run than a lighter receptacle.
Hi Bob - I had seen your pictures of the lights you put on your BX while I was cruising thru tractorbynet. Those pictures were on my mind when I was thinking of where to put my lights because I thought they looked like a good placement.

 

[BXMMCC]

Danny D
That's what I did - picked up a cigarette lighter socket with a rubber cover at Western Auto, spliced that into the wires under the seat. Bought a magnetic base worklamp at Walmart; works good enough for me. I also use the lighter socket for the sprayer.