Headlights with a loader

[Strongman]

One of the few items I'm not happy with on my Branson 3820 with a BL20A loader is the position of the headlights. If you have a loader, unless the bucket is almost touching the ground, the bucket blocks the headlights. Now normally I'm not using it after dark in the summer, but at this time of year when its dark before I get home from work and I have to snow plow, it is frustrating. I know some of you have installed headlights on top of the roll bar, however I usually keep my roll bar lowered unless I'm on a slope since I store the tractor in my barn with a 95" high door (roll bar is about 97"). If I raised my roll bar every time - I know I would forget to lower it one day and I'd be buying a new door (I've already had some close calls).

My solution to the problem was to install an extra set of headlights on top of the protection bars at the front of the tractor. This allows my bucket to be high enough off the ground to avoid getting snow in the bucket when I snow plow. I tied the headlights into the rest of the electrical system (disabling the high beams). I made the headlights easily removable (they are attached with exhaust clamps) so that they won't be in danger of getting smacked with something during the non winter months. I've attached a picture of the headlights.

I also posted my other little tractor project in the attachments section. I made skid shoes for my rear blade for snow plowing: link to attachment posting Now I'm ready for the snow! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[CarlGlas]

The classic problem for just about everyone who has a FEL. However, it looks like you have solved the problem. How well does it work? I have been thinking about mounting mine there also, but then was thinking about putting them up a little higher so that it would light up a little larger area around the tractor.
(Just in case the wife tries to sneak up on me. lol)

I also noticed that it looks like your exhaust is hitting your FEL lines. While it may not be enough extra heat on the lines or fluid to bother anything, it sure does take away from the pretty red paint.

I had the same problem, but a street ell took care of that. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Strongman]

The headlights seem to work well, they are below my line of sight, yet allow the bucket to be high enough off the ground to avoid the snow. If you wanted more lighted area, you might want to get 65 watt high beams, instead of the 55 watt normal beams that I have. That will give you the wider dispersion.

The exhaust hits the FEL as it rises, not direct impingement, so while I don't think there is any danger, it does get the FEL a messy black - it almost makes it look as if I actually use my tractor every now and then. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[YanmarFever]

If you take a torch and heat up your exhaust pipe, you can bend it to point in a downward angle.
Be sure to remove it first before you heat it up /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Ernie /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[CarlGlas]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you take a torch and heat up your exhaust pipe, you can bend it to point in a downward angle.
Be sure to remove it first before you heat it up /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Ernie /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )</font>

* * *

Or, if you want to do it the easy way, measure the diameter of the pipe and head to the local plumbing supply store and get a ell.

No muss, no fuss /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif