Anyone mow at night/in the dark?

[beenthere]

Them ain't cheap.

 

[kthompson]

I also have used B2710 to mow our yard at night and the factory headlights are weak as Bird pointed out. Funny thing is they are not seal headlights but single element push and twist in lights in a headlight unit. Was able to install a size larger then came from Kubota and got really good lighting.

On the bug issue do not mount the lights near you, like on the roll bar or canopy if open station tractor. There is a reason the factory instlass the lights at the front of the hood. Keeps the mass of bugs away.

It is hard to find a more peaceful situation than running a tractor at night. One thing I do not like to do us run tractor on the road after dark, too many drivers get confused meeting a tractor especially if you have implement wider than the tractor is.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have not mowed at night in 30 years but I have recently run tillers and finish grade at night. I don't do anything at night on property I am not familiar with though.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I have a 4 year old. When I get covered up in the summer, I'll have to wait till my boy goes to bed then go mow with the monitor in the tractor. Now that I have the 5100e, with the buddy seat it's easier and more comfortable for him to ride with me but there's only so much light in the day. I felt bad for him having to ride on the 5055, no way to get comfortable.

Brett

 

[redman135]

As others said, LED. Use WORK lights to the front and either work or flood lights (1 or 2) at the back. Work and flood lights have a different light spread and range. Put them on a separate switch to, for best results, especially if you have a loader.
When night running I reccomend you do 2 or 3 rounds on each area, and around obstructions like trees and rocks in the daylight if possible, this saves on damage.

 

[kevinwak]

Their are dozens of really low cost Chinese and similar LED lights out there. In my experience, some of the really cheap ones just don't hold up very well. Metal parts and bolts rust, lenses get condensation inside them, etc. I've have really good luck with these Rigid Industries 20211 Dually Floodlights. I've bought them off of Amazon before. The are reasonably priced for what they are and they are darn near bullet proof. Mine are several years old and have been smacked with branches, preasure washed, etc., and they still look and perform like new. They will turn night into daylight. Amazingly bright.

I have four of the Rigid dually's on my JD 2520 I find I do more mowing and rototilling in the dark then I do snow blowing. I have two favoring forward and two rearward. I would like two more to point at the front corners of my mid mount mower. I usually point the forward ones down to just catch the mower, but lose lots of the forward lighting doing this, and that is why I would like one more set.
I chose the rigid because the quality is exceptional. We have these and a couple 32" rigid light bars on the field trucks at work, and these lights have been on for probably 5 hours a night, 365 days a year for going on three years without a single issue. I know there are lots of good quality cheaper ones, but after seeing these perform I don't regret spending the extra money.

 

[Richard001]

So apparently there is a mistake in the Amazon post.

Here are the technical details:
Technical Details
Brand Rigid Industries
Item Weight 4 pounds
Product Dimensions 7 x 9 x 7 inches
Origin USA
Item model number 20211
Manufacturer Part Number 20211
OEM Part Number 20211
Folding No
Bulb Type led
Voltage 36 volts

?????

Richard

 

[Rara Avis]

No...

 

[crazyal]

I have thought about what you are thinking as well. I personally don't care for LED lighting unless I can find lights that are around 3000k, or warm white. I find that the bluer color LEDs doesn't show me the detail/ colors correctly. I wouldn't worry about adding the Deere halogen conversion, as far as power goes. Clearly Deere thinks that the engine produces more than enough power for the kit. After all the pair of stock bulbs are about 55 watts wile the halogen bulbs are about 75 watts yet produce twice the light. The real question is will the stock headlights put the light where you need it or will it be focused somewhere else.

I personally would rather not add extra lights onto the front of the tractor. If I had the grill guard I think I would feel differently but without it I don't think there would be a place secure enough to mount them and I think they would get bumped when the tractor was in the garage and require me to always be adjusting them. But with the grill guard means remembering to tilt it out of the way each time you check the oil. Something I know sooner or later I would be in a hurry and forget.

 

[dodge man]

I have and agree with others, LED's are best, I have one facing forward and one back plut the factory head lights. I don't do it often mainly because of the grass getting wet from the dew. Maybe in Texas, thats less of an issue.