Utility Lights

[MidgetMaestro]

With winter coming upon us, I decided to install utility lights on the back of the tractor to make plowing easier at night.

The power source is the tail lights. The only way the utility lights can be turned on is if the headlights are turned on and then the utility switch is pulled. :thumbsup:

 

[Thomas]

That should do the trick.

Weather proof swtich?

 

[twinsticks]

Very nice what size lights did you use and did you do the same for the front?

 

[MF 1532]

Nice . I did the same thing on my MF 1532 . I could not tell if you had a fel . Mine does and the factory headlights are blocked a lot of the time . I mounted two lights , like yours , on the bottom of the rops. I drilled and tapped holes on the bottom side , drilled holes for grommets , loom and wire . All is hidden inside rops . Where the rops folds I ran wire in a piece of rubber fuel line (to keep from pinching when folding ). I know a lot of people argue drilling into rops . I have operated equipment for over 30 years and there is not many more safety minded than I am . I am not telling you to do this , but I felt okay in my situation doing it . Again , your customization is nice , and needed .

 

[MidgetMaestro]

That should do the trick.

Weather proof swtich?

It's nice and bright :thumbsup:

The upper is, but the lower isn't, so I wrapped the contacts with insulation, finished it with half a roll of electrical tape, and used a heat gun to shrink part of a ziploc bag around the tape to seal everything up.

Very nice what size lights did you use and did you do the same for the front?

Thanks! They're just 35 watt lights....I didn't go for the largest ones available because I wanted to just wire in through the factory wiring harness without melting the 14g wire that they used. Just an FYI, I still used 12g wire for connecting the lights to the harness.

Nice . I did the same thing on my MF 1532 . I could not tell if you had a fel . Mine does and the factory headlights are blocked a lot of the time . I mounted two lights , like yours , on the bottom of the rops. I drilled and tapped holes on the bottom side , drilled holes for grommets , loom and wire . All is hidden inside rops . Where the rops folds I ran wire in a piece of rubber fuel line (to keep from pinching when folding ). I know a lot of people argue drilling into rops . I have operated equipment for over 30 years and there is not many more safety minded than I am . I am not telling you to do this , but I felt okay in my situation doing it . Again , your customization is nice , and needed .

I don't have an fel, but I'll probably be buying one after this winter (free cash is earmarked for holiday gifts right now...) What's the idea behind drilling through the rops instead of clamping? I'm not putting your design down, just inquiring.

 

[kjung17]

Drilling the rops makes for a cleaner install, but will void any warranty. More importantly, if someone is hurt on that machine, due to failed rops, you are responsible. You have to be so careful, when making modifications, in this age of lawyers.

 

[MF 1532]

I am a neat freak , and I like the "factory look " , concealed wire , loom , grommets . If this were a tractor anyone else would be running , I would not have probably done it . I am the only operator . I know accidents happen , and I am fortunate , but in over 30 years I have not put myself in a compromising position with a tractor . I appreciate your input .

 

[kjung17]

I am a neat freak , and I like the "factory look " , concealed wire , loom , grommets . If this were a tractor anyone else would be running , I would not have probably done it . I am the only operator . I know accidents happen , and I am fortunate , but in over 30 years I have not put myself in a compromising position with a tractor . I appreciate your input .

I, too, like a clean install. I don't believe that a little hole or mounting tab, welded on, would compromise the rops. Sure would be nice if the lawyers would lighten up a little.

 

[MF 1532]

I still beleive that this is the greatest nation in the world . I am thankful for our founding fathers , and veterans that have fought for what we have . Even though its the greatest , I am like you kjung17 , a few of the things need some fine tuning .

 

[kjung17]

I still beleive that this is the greatest nation in the world . I am thankful for our founding fathers , and veterans that have fought for what we have . Even though its the greatest , I am like you kjung17 , a few of the things need some fine tuning .

I'm sure Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson would be very disappointed with what we've let happen. Love my country, not so fond of my government.