My AUX Lights Project

[Kubota Tee]

Well, I finally got around to doing an AUX Lights project on my Grand L 3540. I had actually started this project 2 years ago and after spending some time on fabricating and painting the ROPs brackets, I wasn't pleased with how they looked so I abandoned the project.

Fast forward and lots more research on TBN, I finally found a design / setup that I liked and I thought would be within my reach, given my limited tools and experience. Many thanks to TBN member "Boutym" for posting his pics / setup, which I stole shamelessly for my project.

I installed 4 x 27W LED flood lights on the ROPs - 2 each facing forward and backward. Here is the kit of parts that I used for this,project. The square trailer bolts are stainless steel.



When I took the cowling off to install the switches, I noticed two rust strips on the inside. I cleaned them up and ended up repainting the whole thing after I cut the holes for the switches.



The brackets are simple 2" angle iron that I cut using my sawzall with a metal blade and then cleaned them up on my grinding wheel. Drilled some holes and then painted them up to match the ROPs.



As far as wiring goes, I ended up using 2 of the 3 AUX connectors that came with the tractor. This made the wiring super easy and contained everything to the back of the tractor. These AUX connectors are already wired to the ignition, so that should keep me from running down the battery if I accidentally leave them on. They are on a 10amp circuit which is more than enough for these LEDs.



I'm very pleased with how they turned out and although I don't use my tractor that much at night, I will be very happy to have these available this winter when plowing snow. Maybe I'll do more work at night now that I have these!



Again, my hats off to Boutym for inspiring me to pick up this project again.:thumbsup:

 

[classacthollow]

That came out really nice, I bet it helps having the light up on the rop.

 

[joshuabardwell]

That's a really clever place to put the light switches. I like it!

 

[Kubota Tee]

That came out really nice, I bet it helps having the light up on the rop.

Bruce, thanks for your kind words. I just came in from trying them out in the dark and WOW! Nothing compared to the factory headlights. I'm really happy with the light output of these LEDs.

 

[Kubota Tee]

That's a really clever place to put the light switches. I like it!

Joshua, thanks for commenting on the placement of the switches. At first I was thinking of putting them on the dash, but then when I decided to use the wiring that Kubota provides for accessories just behind and to the right of the operators seat it was almost a no brainer to place them where I did. Also, I'm really happy I discovered those rust areas under the cowling and was able to repaint it. Almost as if those areas were missed during the factory paint process or something blocked the sprayer from hitting those two areas.

Since I may want to add some other switches in the future, I left room for logical placement of two more where they wouldn't look crowded. I'm going to place my order for the two additional switches next week just so I have them "in stock" and then I'll know they match.

 

[workinallthetime]

swear i have seen those lights somewhere before

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Looks good for sure. I'm guessing you don't fold your ROPS often ?

I did a similar mounting on mine but kept them up as high as I could on the lower part of the ROPS so I could still fold it when needed.

 

[milkman636]

That is a nice, simple, and inexpensive mount. Thanks for posting.

Please fill us in on where you sourced the lights and how they work.

 

[Kubota Tee]

swear i have seen those lights somewhere before

Dan,

Hope you enjoy your set as much as I do. They seem really well built and rugged enough for a tractor application. How long have you had yours? Still happy,with them?

 

[Kubota Tee]

Looks good for sure. I'm guessing you don't fold your ROPS often ?

I did a similar mounting on mine but kept them up as high as I could on the lower part of the ROPS so I could still fold it when needed.

Hey Farmboy, thanks for commenting. No, I haven't had my ROPs down since I bought the tractor and I don't think I will in the foreseeable future. If I do ever have the need, they're easy enough to disassemble. How about posting a pic of your AUX light setup?