Adding light bar to mower

kbuicker · Aug 12, 2016

Ok, maybe I'm crazy.. but I want to add a light bar to my new Z724X mower... has anyone done this already? I would imagine adding one to the ROP would be very easy, but then you'd have to move it if you ever wanted to install a sunshade (canopy)... so I'm thinking about mounting one to the front area (where KUBOTA sticker is). There are already pre drilled holes there for something...

Anyone done this already??

George2615 · Aug 12, 2016

I don't have a Zero turn but mounting a light bar should be easy enough either using the existing holes you have or by using square u-bolts to clamp around the ROPS. Mount a power switch somewhere easy to access and zip tie wiring to the light.

I did mount 2 light bars on my tractor, 1 front and 1 rear on my own homemade brackets.

CCWKen · Aug 12, 2016

It doesn't appear that the mower has any OEM lights. Few commercial mowers do since no one mows at night. That being the case, I suspect the charging capacity of the alternator won't support the current draw of any lights you add. What is the alternator output and what battery does your mower use?

Nice idea but poor performance in practice. You'll probably have a dead battery by the time you finish mowing.

kbuicker · Aug 15, 2016

Thank you George2615! Great idea!

CCWKen, LED lights barely draw any current/amperage.. how is adding LED lights to a mower for later mowing (or pulling) poor performance in practice? I'm sure the battery draw is MINIMAL and won't have any affect on it's performance for the little time the lights would be used.

CCWKen · Aug 15, 2016

LED lights draw more current than you think. Depends on how much light you want. Light is not free, except during the day.

WATTS / VOLTAGE = AMPS

Examples in round numbers: 50w / 12v = 4 amps 160w / 12v = 13 amps.

What's the output of your alternator? You didn't answer that question. I'd be surprised if it's more that few amps. Your alternator must charge the battery after starting AND supply enough current to stay on the plus side of any draw from the lights. Otherwise, your battery will never get fully charged and it will degrade over time.

Midniteoyl · Aug 15, 2016

CCWKen said:
It doesn't appear that the mower has any OEM lights. Few commercial mowers do since no one mows at night. That being the case, I suspect the charging capacity of the alternator won't support the current draw of any lights you add. What is the alternator output and what battery does your mower use?

Nice idea but poor performance in practice. You'll probably have a dead battery by the time you finish mowing.

L E D..

kbuicker · Aug 16, 2016

That's great math. My Z121S ran just fine with the OEM LEDs

CNeubauer · Aug 17, 2016

I don't have them wired yet but I put two 18 watt LED'S on the front of our ZD326, that's only a 3 amp load and your mower should easily handle that. I had to drill holes to mount them but that was easy.

kbuicker · Aug 17, 2016

Cool, I like that! Let us know how they work once you get those bad boys all wired up! I Was thinking using George's idea of using u-bolts and clamping some to the side of my ROP