Work Lights- Which one to use?????

[wojnaroski]

I would like to install work lights on my tractor. I have decided on the power, cigarette lighter type weatherproof power outlet.

Which lights? Automotive fog, driving, offroad, or tractor utility. Probably many more to choose from.

I understand about quality of actual lights, that's not my issue here. At this point my only concern is which ones should I consider and which ones are definately out.

As for use, who knows. I want an all-round versatile setup.

I have seen many good posts on this subject but seem to have not been able to choose which actual lights to use. Hope you all can provide some input. Thanks Wojo.

 

[gmsssi]

These are the ones I'm considering.......

DMK

 

[wojnaroski]

Thanks for the info. Going with two lights or one? If I am correct, 55watts per bulb would draw 220 watts for a set of two lights. Any problems with the wattage?

Alan

 

[gmsssi]

2 for sure, maybe three.......2 forward, 1 reverse.........I don't think wattage would be a problem but maybe we can get someone to chime in!

 

[Highbeam]

"Automotive fog, driving, offroad, or tractor utility.

The fog lights will throw a flat wide pattern not really good for tractoring unless you are moving fast and want to project light under the fog instead of turning it into a blinding white wall.

Driving lights produce a focused long range beam, usually pretty round but made for reaching way out past your car's headlights, not really good for tractors since up close it will be a spotlight.

Off-road or tractor utility should be pretty much the same except for chrome vs. rubber housing and money. These lights should be a lot of light up close but not focused more of a narrow range flood light.

So my vote is for one of the last two.

 

[gmsssi]

Looks like we'd be OK.............

DK45s Alternator

I have the stock electric load at 145w!

 

[mountain_man]

Try Peterson lights - Reasonably priced and well made. I used 504HF (flood lights) with a SPDT switch to select the front or back set.

 

[mountain_man]

Here the back set...

 

[kennyd]

I just put 4 of THESE on my tractor and 4 on my neighbors 2210. We purchased them from Messicks.
The Hobbs lights are excellent quality with nice strong mounting brackets, not like the WallyWorld lights with cheesy brackets.
I think the trapezoidal pattern is best, it's halfway between a spot and a flood.

 

[mountain_man]

Here's a graphic showing the differences between different light beam patterns (scroll down for tractor applications)...

 

[LBrown59]

I prefer low profile lights.

Less light housing sticking out to get bumped snagged or torn off.

 

[PILOON]

My 2 cents:

I installed el cheapo set of FOG LIGHTS purchased fron a local auto supply for about $20./pr.

They provide intense flat light, are fully adjustable, as bright as daylight. In fact the tractor main lighting becomes useless.

Have been running them for about 4-5 years and can't complain other than the chrome casings are rusting.(I did say el cheepos!)
A bit of paint will cure that!

Oh, I chose the white lenses.

Good luck!

 

[George2615]

I bought a cheap set of driving lights at Harbor Freight for about $10-12 on sale. Mounted them high and at night they will light up a good path to see with. Pic attached.

 

[mudcat]

George that is one clean machine. The lights look good, too.

 

[George2615]

It must be an optical illusion. Actually the machine is filthy but looked clean probably due to just being parked after plowing our latest snowfall and the wet snow melting off makes it look shiny. Two weeks ago it was covered with a black muck from doing some logging in the muddy woods. I figured we were due for a snow so I let the snow wash it.

 

[wojnaroski]

With age I have found that the dumbest question is the one never asked. There is a lot of information out there for the asking.

Many thanks to everyone who posted! I really appreciate all the advice and ideas. Great to actually see the finished product also. Now I have no excuses not to finish my lighting project. Will post some pics when done.

Many thanks, Alan

 

[Robert_in_NY]

All you need to do is build a steel housing to protect them. I have had some nice size limbs hit my light housing and jamb it fairly hard as my lights are mounted next to the rops so the limbs had no where to go but to bend themselves. Didn't even bend the simple little housing I built up out of some scrap 1" angle iron and 1/8" sheet steel. The only thing I have to do is find where I put my switch so I can finish the install and actually use the lights /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Highbeam]

I sure could have used a rear facing work light last night. After the super duty wrecker extracted the sunken, loaded, 105,000 lb dumptruck and trailer from where he had slipped off my road I had to fill in the craters so that I could drive out that night. I had also made craters trying to use a log skidder and winch to pull the combo from his sunken spot. 25 degrees out and total darkness except for OEM headlights. Amazing how much a diesel smokes under load when the light is shining through the exhaust. Rear light is a priority. It would also have helped while chaining the tractor down to the trailer for transport.

 

[zuiko]

Anyone know if the bulbs are replacable in the HF type off-road or fog lights? If so are the bulbs something you can get at an auto parts store? I need to add some lights to mine if for no other reason then the headlights seem to be blocked by the bucket so often.

 

[Highbeam]

It might be easier, quicker, and cheaper to replace the whole light if it blows out. Walmart also sells a tractor light with a wide flood beam. About 12$.