Wire Protection for Moss Road

[woodlandfarms]

In another section here, Moss and I were discussing how to protect wires for lights. My method that has worked so far is using caulk to cover the wires. I use black caulk, and high grade stuff. After 2 years it has still held up OK.

Here are some pix

Oh, methodolgy. I did like 18" sections. I taped one end down, then the other, making the wire tight. Then I applied a LOT of caulk. Let it skin up a bit, then covered it with paper tape and let it sit overnight. Peeled the tape off and bobs your uncle. I think in high UV situations this will fail. Oh, I did it with the ROPS dry and warm.

Carl

 

[catsco]

Looks like that would work well.

I was going to drill a 1/8" or so hole at to and bottom of the ROPS, but then it occurred to me that if there were something that could damage the wires on the outside of the ROPS it could also damage me.

So this indicates that you're a safe operator as two years haven't hurt the wires!

Mark H.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks. I now see that your ROPS tubes are not round tubing like mine. I think your method would still work. I will have to consider it.

 

[smartguyz]

Thanks. I now see that your ROPS tubes are not round tubing like mine. I think your method would still work. I will have to consider it.

When I did the wiring for my electric sprayer (see avatar) I used stick-on wire/cable guides. When used with Marine Goop (UV stabilized RTV adhesive/sealant), they don't come loose, and also allow me to remove the wires when needed.

For permanent installs, I think that the method above will work fine, although it might look a little messy in my opinion.

-Rob

 

[woodlandfarms]

Looks terribly messy. But for me the machine is a tractor and I am not too caught up on asthetics at this point.

Carl

 

[Bob999]

My PT came with many of the wires in vinyl "conduit"--it is just the vinyl tubing you can buy at the hardware store. For the wiring I have done I have used the same technique--I found that to run any significant length of wire it can get difficult unless the tubing has significantly larger inside diameter than the wire being put inside.

 

[SpringHollow]

I just zip tie all the way around the ROPS and have had no problems. Is the concern to protect the wire from UV?

Ken

 

[MossRoad]

I just zip tie all the way around the ROPS and have had no problems. Is the concern to protect the wire from UV?

Ken

I zip tied a wire for my overhead lights to the side of the ROPS tube facing into the driver's station, thinking that would protect it.... it didn't. It was ripped off shortly. I go through a lot of thick brush...

http://www.mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT425_brushhoguphill.wmv

http://www.mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT425MultiFloraRose.WMV

http://www.mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT425DeepWeeds2.WMV

 

[SpringHollow]

Then perhaps a piece of rigid tubing hose clamped to the upright, used as conduit. The vinyl tubing is brutal to pull through. 3/8" pex might work well and is extremely inexpensive.

Ken

 

[MossRoad]

I was thinking more along the lines of bending a 1/2" I.D. pipe to match the curve of the ROPS tub and tacking it to the ROPS with a MIG welder. I really need the armored route for the wires.

 

[pajoube]

I was thinking more along the lines of bending a 1/2" I.D. pipe to match the curve of the ROPS tub and tacking it to the ROPS with a MIG welder. I really need the armored route for the wires.

I ended up drilling a hole in the ropes (between bolts at connecting point) and up the center and another hole on top to the lights.
PJ

 

[MossRoad]

I ended up drilling a hole in the ropes (between bolts at connecting point) and up the center and another hole on top to the lights.
PJ

I remember that. I would do the same thing, however, as you may recall, I welded a square tube under my canopy to hang my lights from (I didn't want bolt heads protruding though the canopy)I want to mount several switches in a box up under the canopy that will require several wires running back down to the tractor. I don't want to make that big of a hole in the ROPS tube.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I tried a variety of different things (protective coverings) but they never stayed in place or got ripped out due to my blackberry and branches issue.

 

[cqaigy2]

I tried a variety of different things (protective coverings) but they never stayed in place or got ripped out due to my blackberry and branches issue.

That's what i run into also.

 

[DCWhitley]

Here is the solution I came up with - a plastic wire cover channel I found at Lowes. I glued and screwed it onto my ROPS because I didn't want any large holes in the ROPS, but I can still open both pieces to insert more wires if I need to. I don't know if it would stand up to what you guys run your PT's into, but it has worked for me in brush even before I had the windshield. Obviously the windshield even protects it more.

 

[DCWhitley]

Sorry about that 1st picture, thought I had rotated it. Here is the rotated view.