Headlights with a loader?

[skspurling]

I kept trying to attach lights to the ROPS, and they keep getting knocked off by limbs. I finally decided I should have something I could remove when I mowed. I took a pair of 55Watt spots and bolted them to the Harbor Freight welding magnets. It works pretty good so far. I only need to pop them on the tractor when it's dark. I mounted a switch, horn button, and lighter socket in the blank panel on the right fender of my B2620, so I just plug them in and stick them on the ROPS, and I am ready to go. I just wish there were a cheap 40amp upgrade kit for the alternator. As long as I am not out there for more than an hour or two, my battery should be just fine.

 

[cttractor]

I kept trying to attach lights to the ROPS, and they keep getting knocked off by limbs. I finally decided I should have something I could remove when I mowed. I took a pair of 55Watt spots and bolted them to the Harbor Freight welding magnets. It works pretty good so far. I only need to pop them on the tractor when it's dark. I mounted a switch, horn button, and lighter socket in the blank panel on the right fender of my B2620, so I just plug them in and stick them on the ROPS, and I am ready to go. I just wish there were a cheap 40amp upgrade kit for the alternator. As long as I am not out there for more than an hour or two, my battery should be just fine.

Here's one way you can do it (see photo). I have lots of extra headroom near the top of my ROPs bar, so I made a light fixture support bar that goes between the ROPs bars and had it powder-coated. It came out well and looks as if it came with the tractor. Before I made it, I had a mechanical engineer friend do a simple stress analysis and he felt strongly that two small bolt holes on each side in the center of the bars would be no problem and certainly compromised them far less than much larger manufacturer made holes for the flashing signal lights that come on the machine. This mounting location has protected the lightbar from branches much better than if it had been mounted on top of the ROPs. If you just use lights, you should have even less of them exposed outside of the bar. Of course, the bar itself often hits branches when it's in the up position, but that's another story and I avoid low-hanging branches as much as possible. The front and rear take down lights provide night lighting.

 

[LBrown59]

I kept trying to attach lights to the ROPS, and they keep getting knocked off by limbs. I finally decided I should have something I could remove when I mowed. I took a pair of 55Watt spots and bolted them to the Harbor Freight welding magnets. It works pretty good so far. I only need to pop them on the tractor when it's dark. I mounted a switch, horn button, and lighter socket in the blank panel on the right fender of my B2620, so I just plug them in and stick them on the ROPS, and I am ready to go. I just wish there were a cheap 40amp upgrade kit for the alternator. As long as I am not out there for more than an hour or two, my battery should be just fine.

You don't need the 40 amp alternator.

 

[skspurling]

You don't need the 40 amp alternator.

You sure? Lot of other people in other lighting threads act like you should. I added it up, and it's close. Sure, you draw just a few amps over, but the stock 14 amp alternator is a bit weak.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Dumb question...

Why can't I just mount a couple nice sealed-beam road lights on the hood?

The only other spot I have considered is the support bar for the canopy...

My grapple totally blocks the headlights...

David

 

[IslandTractor]

Dumb question...

Why can't I just mount a couple nice sealed-beam road lights on the hood?

The only other spot I have considered is the support bar for the canopy...

My grapple totally blocks the headlights...

David

It would look like crap but I cannot think of any other reason. How about doing what the snowplowers do and mount elevated lights on top of your brush guard to look over the grapple.

 

[MrSteve]

Here is a thought, take it for what it is worth... The way I see it you are trying to go higher with the light mount why? The reason I ask is because higher isn't needed. Hear me out, why the bucket is "low" your head lights work, but when the bucket is "high" they don't... All you have to do is find the spot on the tractor (loader) where the head lights stop working and where the new lights start working. The way I see it, the pic shows where to place your new lights, like I said take it for what it is worth, just a thought (because, well lower lights could get knocked off)

 

[JB4310]

Here is a thought, take it for what it is worth... The way I see it you are trying to go higher with the light mount why? The reason I ask is because higher isn't needed. Hear me out, why the bucket is "low" your head lights work, but when the bucket is "high" they don't... All you have to do is find the spot on the tractor (loader) where the head lights stop working and where the new lights start working. The way I see it, the pic shows where to place your new lights, like I said take it for what it is worth, just a thought (because, well lower lights could get knocked off)

It's good to think outside the box but....
Most likely would get destroyed in a very short time.

Every tractor has a rops now. it's the ideal spot for them. under the top as has been shown here in this thread, on the sides like my factor's flashers and work lights are mounted etc.

JB

 

[pacerron]

Dumb question...

Why can't I just mount a couple nice sealed-beam road lights on the hood?

The only other spot I have considered is the support bar for the canopy...

My grapple totally blocks the headlights...

David

I discussed the pros and cons on the first page of this thread from 20 years of experience and DKVance showed you pictures of his lights mounted on the front of the canopy.
This is the best place to put them as they are somewhat protected, are high enough that your loader bucket and side frames don't block the light, and if you get ones with swivel mounts they are easily adjusted for the operation you are doing at the time. I turn one of mine a little further to the outside when mowing after dark, for example, to see the previous cut line better on my 8" finish mower.
You can see pictures of the installation and why to use a relay to protect the switch on my thread called " where are the Relays hidden"

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...s/210716-where-relays-hidden-new-holland.html

 

[LBrown59]

You sure? Lot of other people in other lighting threads act like you should. I added it up, and it's close. Sure, you draw just a few amps over, but the stock 14 amp alternator is a bit weak.

Yeah the trick is when you use the Rops Lights you Don't Need the head lights so you don't turn them on .