Best Position for add-on lights

[ctgoldwing]

So now that I am no longer 'tractorless' I want to add some lighting. Its something I never did with the L3400 that I sold last year and pretty much regretted it every time I had to work with it at night. Now I have an L3800. Where have operators had the best results mounting LED lighting?
I surely would like to put rear lights in and while at it additional front lights wouldn't hurt. I do work in the woods with it so branches can be an issue.
TIA

 

[chim]

Here's what works for me:

Lighting Revisited | OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

 

[dodge man]

Up high on the ROPS is best. If you have the fold down type, that may or may not work. My main need for lights is snow removal. I don’t really like to put my ROPS up unless I have to and for snow removal I don’t have to. Mine are just about head level on the left upright on my ROPS. It’s fine most of the time but the forward facing on can blind you a little when looking over your shoulder and can also reflect off my glasses sometimes. You can kind of see them in the pic.

 

[ctgoldwing]

Very clever mounting them in the tube for side lighting. I can certainly do that
I do have a loader perhaps I can find a high and or low spot(s) on the brush bar to mount forward facing lights.
Thanks!

 

[ctgoldwing]

View attachment 667543Up high on the ROPS is best. If you have the fold down type, that may or may not work. My main need for lights is snow removal. I don’t really like to put my ROPS up unless I have to and for snow removal I don’t have to. Mine are just about head level on the left upright on my ROPS. It’s fine most of the time but the forward facing on can blind you a little when looking over your shoulder and can also reflect off my glasses sometimes. You can kind of see them in the pic.

Yes if I kept the ROPS up all the time that would be an easy solution. I can't get it in the garage with it up tho. Maybe mounted on the side of ROPS. . . hmmm that should work as long as I'm careful in the woods.
Thanks

 

[pmsmechanic]

I'm probably different than most people. I like my lights below eye level as any dips/contours etc show up so much better. If the lights are above eye level they are all washed out because there are no shadows to differentiate anything.

 

[dodge man]

I mounted mine using steel pieces that kind of look like erector set pieces. Flat steel with holes in it. I’ve brushed up against some trees and bent them a couple of times but they bend back. I’ve hit my garage twice with my ROPS up so I don’t put it up unless I’m working on hills. I started blocking my garage with 5 gallon buckets so I do not forget when it is up. You will notice I have the rear one pointed down quite a bit to light the rear blade when plowing.

 

[dlctcg]

Like you I am in the woods often so I mounted them on the inner side of the ROPS. I used one bracket on each side to hold both the front & rear lights. I wasn't sold on the location at first but we have been very happy with them; glad we put them up high. With them mounted inside the ROPS we have zero issues with trees or branches.









We setup separate switches for the front & rear

 

[chim]

I'm probably different than most people. I like my lights below eye level as any dips/contours etc show up so much better. If the lights are above eye level they are all washed out because there are no shadows to differentiate anything.

That's my experience.

 

[WranglerX]

If I could not or don't want to add lights to ROPS, I think I would put them on a pedestal on support for FEL pivots...
I moved my tail lights - turn signal lights to "inside" my ROPS because I learned the replacements are $125 each......

Dale

 

[airbiscuit]

I put them under the top bar of my ROPS, and I like that because the loader bucket doesn't block the light. I first had 55W Halogens, and replaced them with 48W LEDs. The difference was amazing.

 

[dragoneggs]

This is what I did... and very happy about it 7 years later. Here is a link to a thread on the details of installing LED lights on the top inside of the ROPS, running the wiring, switches, and relay.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/299015-led-light-install-but-look.html

 

[Mat4644]

With the super magnets now available easy to attach and move/adjust an LED light anywhere on a ROP, metal fender or hood. Put plastic tape on bottom of magnets to prevent scratching.

 

[ctgoldwing]

Like you I am in the woods often so I mounted them on the inner side of the ROPS. I used one bracket on each side to hold both the front & rear lights. I wasn't sold on the location at first but we have been very happy with them; glad we put them up high. With them mounted inside the ROPS we have zero issues with trees or branches.

View attachment 667576


View attachment 667575


View attachment 667574

We setup separate switches for the front & rear

View attachment 667577

Thanks for pix and nice clean switch layout

 

[ctgoldwing]

With the super magnets now available easy to attach and move/adjust an LED light anywhere on a ROP, metal fender or hood. Put plastic tape on bottom of magnets to prevent scratching.

THIS ^^^

Great idea. Thank you

 

[ctgoldwing]

Thanks to all who replied !!! Some really great ideas. I'm going to be out of commission for a couple of weeks but during that time I'll gather my material to do the project. I'll post some pix when done (won't be as nice as what's been posted here tho).

 

[airbiscuit]

Here are the ones I used.
Amazon.com: SUCOOL 2pcs one pack 4 inch square 48w led work light off road Flood lights truck lights 4x4 off road tractor jeep work lights fog lamp For Jeep Cabin/Boat/SUV/Truck/Car/ATV/automative/ 1-3V: Automotive

 

[ctgoldwing]

OK here is what I went with. The lights
Amazon.com: AutoFeel LED Light Bar 2PCS 7 Inch 6W LED Pods Flood Spot Beam Combo Off Road Driving Fog Light for Truck ATV Boat: Automotive

and magnets
Fishing Magnets 2 Pack, 5lbs Pulling Force Super Strong Round Neodymium Rare Earth Magnet with Countersunk Hole Eyebolt for Magnetic Fishing, River, Salvage, Treasure Hunting, 2.36" Diameter: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

came in from Amazon. I ordered some 12volt waterproof relays
Amazon.com: Nilight 544R 5 Pack Waterproof 4/3 AMP Heavy Duty 12 AWG Tinned Copper Wires 5-PIN SPDT Bosch Style 12V Automotive Relay and Harness Set,2 Year Warranty: Automotive

that also came in today. Still waiting on a 6 position fuse block, small waterproof switches and a couple of waterproof cable assembles.

Of course I couldn't wait:


Any skepticism concerning the magnet strength I had went away when, while reaching into the toolbox for a wrench with one hand and holding the magnet in the other, the magnet clamped onto the case pinching the skin on my thumb. It is impossible to pull the sucker straight out and release it. You have to slide it to the edge and then off. The 500lb advertised rating probably isn't true but its a **** of a lot more than needed.