Backup camera for operating rear snowblower?

[hayden]

For those of you who have rear snow blowers, you know it can get uncomfortable twisting around to face backwards while you are clearing snow. I've got a 1/2 mile road to maintain, and it's not easy.

The other day is occured to me that I could mount a small video camera facing out back and a small monitor in the front (all this is in cab tractor) and probably do all my backing up while facing forward watching the TV?

Has anyone tried this? I suspect it will take a little getting used to, but I think it will work. I already have an unused security camera, and I was looking in Fry's

Any opinions?

 

[Dmace]

Sounds like a good idea but I am sure the lens of the camera would quickly get frosted over or just wet from the blowing snow obscuring the image. Although, if I mounted it inside the cab right where the wipers clean the glass...

I saw a license plate mount unit for less than $150. I might have to try this, if it doesn't work I could always use one for the dump truck.

 

[Tig]

Interesting idea. My first reaction was negative but then again I've never used a backup cam. My father backs up his 40' motor home with no problems so they must be reasonable to use. You would need a large enough field of vision to be safe. Snowblowers are nasty machines.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Hayden,
I was kind of thinkin like the other guys when I first read the thread, you gotta be kiddin ! But the more I think of it Im thinkin maybe it has some merit ! As Derek mentions, its only going to work inside a cab with a rear wiper because of blowing snow/ sleet and whatever else but actually might work good once the operator has a chance to practice operating the tractor in reverse ! We have them on all our large pumpers in our volunteer FD and they work great when no one is available to help you back the apparatus up ! If you could find something reliable for the right price you may be onto something !!!

 

[gemini5362]

walmart sells a wireless backup camera kit with a monitor for 100.00 I am not sure if this would do what you wanted but you might check it out.
VR3 Wireless Backup Camera w/Monitor - Wal-Mart

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

This is actually made for tractors, its weather proof, etc.

A-CC7M1C Observation System

 

[Solo]

Check out this thread in the Hew Holland forums. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/nh-owning-operating/109059-camera-system.html

Solo

 

[dieselfuelonly]

You can get these little cameras on ebay for next to nothing. Just hook them up to one of those little portable TVs. Make sure you get one with the "fisheye" lens so that you have a wide(r) viewing angle. Just go to ebay and search "mini wireless camera", but they also have wired versions too if you prefer those. Actually, I would recommend a wired version. Here is a waterproof one:

Mini Wired Waterproof Audio/Video Color/BW IR Camera - (eBay item 220159843353 end time Oct-19-07 10:54:08 PDT)

 

[Builder]

I wish someone sold a 7" monitor like the guy in the New Holland forums had. Maybe one that suction cups to the glass or has a little stand for the dash. I need these for my trucks. I can't see jack behind me when backing up.

 

[6sunset6]

There are a number of systems out there
Backup Camera Systems for Any Car - Truck or SUV! Cameras, Monitors, Backup Sensors, Backup Systems
Swift Hitch: Wireless-Portable Rear Camera System $295.00

I thought about one to see what the front of my bucket is doing when I am trying to pick up big stones etc.

 

[Grizz]

The only problem to a monitor and camera not design for this aplication is that the image on the monitor is back ward right is left and left is right.

 

[Zick]

I wish someone sold a 7" monitor like the guy in the New Holland forums had. Maybe one that suction cups to the glass or has a little stand for the dash. I need these for my trucks. I can't see jack behind me when backing up.

Here is a small LCD, just hook it up to any camera w/ some rca cables, power and your good to go.

First link is just more details.
Emerson Mobile 5.6" Color LCD Screen wMount MT-1561 at TigerDirect.com

Emerson MT-1564R 5.6-inch TFT LCD Monitor : Audio & Video from Overstock.com

 

[Zick]

The only problem to a monitor and camera not design for this aplication is that the image on the monitor is back ward right is left and left is right.

Some cameras are designed for this and reverse the image so left is left and right is right.

 

[Zick]

Backup Camera Systems for Any Car - Truck or SUV! Cameras, Monitors, Backup Sensors, Backup Systems
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Wow, a lot of those cameras can be found on Ebay for a quarter of that price.

 

[hayden]

Thanks for all the replies. From what I can tell many (perhaps most) of the lower cost backup monitors have real small screens and poor cameras. For their intended purpose, that's fine because you mostly want to know if there is some object behind you, but you don't need to see the details. I'm hoping to get some reasonable resolution and a reasonably sized screen so I can see where the edge of the snow blower is, etc.

As I mentioned, I've already got a quality security camera with a zoom lens that I'm thinking will work as long as it goes wide angle enough. Worst case I can replace the lens. That just leaves a monitor. I spotted a 7" model at Fry's that's made to install in the back of a headrest that was $100. There were other models that mount to the ceiling and flip up or drop down for use. Some are more like 10" and were closer to $200-$300.

You guys have provided some good links to other options too. I like the one that Messik's carries, and I like the idea of mounting one up on the loader too. I could get carried away with this. The bottom line is that I think the equipment is readily available in a variety of price/quality ranges, so I'm going to go for it.

Now I just need that Cab tractor to get delivered......

 

[PILOON]

OK, I was sold on the idea and purchased one on EBay from China.
Ordered the 7" and one camera.
Cost me $55. (landed) and about 30 days delivery, but I knew that.
While it has been installed for about 3 weeks now last night was the first 'real time' night test.
It was cold, windy and the snow fairly 'loose' and a moderate wind.
Absolutely no interference from snow on the lens (did mount it high under roof overhang).
Cold did not interfere. (was -14c last night)
My rear work lights made visibility so good that I'd spot twigs etc on the ground, if anything a bit too bright but I can adjust the sensitivity if I want.
Only (slight) downside is that my roof strobe introduces a yellow blinking shadow but that is understandable and could be corrected but not really a problem.

If a person had no roof overhang he could always fabricate a tiny 'roof' over the camera (if needed) .

The only negative comment is that the interconnect wire is super thin and needs careful protection.( I ran mine parallel to heavier wire and used lots of tie wraps)
Because the display on/off switch was rather dinky I left it permanently on and wired a toggle into the +12v line.

But now like a passenger side mirror there is a learning curve as 'objects seem further and smaller'. Also the built in guide lines, while adjustable in width, are narrower than my blower is but one quickly gets used to that and gauges clearances just fine.

 

[blueriver]

OK, I was sold on the idea and purchased one on EBay from China. Ordered the 7" and one camera. Cost me $55. (landed) and about 30 days delivery, but I knew that. While it has been installed for about 3 weeks now last night was the first 'real time' night test. It was cold, windy and the snow fairly 'loose' and a moderate wind. Absolutely no interference from snow on the lens (did mount it high under roof overhang). Cold did not interfere. (was -14c last night) My rear work lights made visibility so good that I'd spot twigs etc on the ground, if anything a bit too bright but I can adjust the sensitivity if I want. Only (slight) downside is that my roof strobe introduces a yellow blinking shadow but that is understandable and could be corrected but not really a problem. If a person had no roof overhang he could always fabricate a tiny 'roof' over the camera (if needed) . The only negative comment is that the interconnect wire is super thin and needs careful protection.( I ran mine parallel to heavier wire and used lots of tie wraps) Because the display on/off switch was rather dinky I left it permanently on and wired a toggle into the +12v line. But now like a passenger side mirror there is a learning curve as 'objects seem further and smaller'. Also the built in guide lines, while adjustable in width, are narrower than my blower is but one quickly gets used to that and gauges clearances just fine.

Post a link to it .. I'm thinking not only for backing up but it may be great to watch implements .. Hay baler,.. Anything

 

[razor]

I had a cheap wireless licence plate frame one on my last truck, it worked ok but only lasted a few months. I had it replaced under warranty but the second one lasted about the same amount of time before it stopped working. I bought a hard wired unit for my dump truck from Costco and so far I have been very happy with it. It has a good size screen and picture quality is excellent. At night time you see as if the sun is out. There is a built in heater to keep the lens clear and there is even a mic in the camera so you hear what is going on behind you.

My advise is if you get a camera don't get a cheap one. Get a hard wired unit. I think I paid around $300 for the kit.