How important are blinkers?

[mjarrels]

If it were not for a couple blinkers, I would not have anything to tear off on trees and fences. Orange tractor is never on public roads.

"Underway... shift colors"

mark

 

[jbrumberg]

Iplayfarmer:

I live on a back country road and ocassionally drive the 1.3 miles of back roads to the school I work at to till the school's garden. I have asked two local police officers about the legality of traveling on the road. Both of the officers told me that I need a SMV emblem and need to have my headlights and hazard lights on when traveling on the road. I use my turn signals because I have them as well as hand signals. They also told me that I should stay completely on the road when traveling. I also use my hazards when plowing the end of my driveway when near the road. A lot of jerks speed on this road. I've seen a few spin outs when those individuals who do not know how to drive in winter conditions over-react to my road presence when legally plowing my driveway near the road. The added visibility especially when plowing in low light conditions gives drivers additonal time to react. Jay

 

[Soundguy]

I've heard the same advice from LEO's here in florida... SMV plaques, headlamps, and hazards, and fully occupy your lane.. don't drive half on the shoulder and half off the road.

Soundguy

 

[Iplayfarmer]

It seems the concensus is that flashers are downright handy whereas blinkers are more of a conversation piece.

I picked up some red LED marker lights that I'm going to wire up to one of the blinker circuits. I figure that the LED's will not put too much of a draw on the electrical.

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. less load.. and no filament to be vibrated loose / broke... and no socket to corode out..

Soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Have you ever rode a motorcycle on a busy highway? The first thing you'll notice is how other motorist's DON'T notice you.

Same applies to a slow moving tractor on a public road. Then consider that tractor is zipping along at 15 MPH when cars are closing at 55 MPH sometimes.

You need every concievable way of making yourself noticed.

Flashers are a good way.

15 years ago, I lost a very close friend when a car slammed in the back of his tractor on a county road. It was broad daylight. SMV emblem was in place. Flashers were on. Tractor was bright orange. (Allis Chalmers 190XT) Driver still didn't see him. Take every precaution possible. Then be very aware of what's going on around you. Assume everyone is TRYING to hit you. In a car vs. tractor accident, you are more like a motorcycle that you can imagine.

 

[sandman2234]

I started to argue on how my 7,000 pound tractor was in no manner anything like a motorcycle, and then I started thinking about it, and realized it really does have some similarities. Guess I need to get my helmet out when I start bush hogging the asphalt...
David from jax

 

[Iplayfarmer]

O.K. The LED marker light idea doesn't work.

It seems the blinker circuit for my tractor whether by design or by old age is a low current/high current type of pulse rather than a full off/full on type. I saw this with my test light but didn't think anything of it. When I got the LED marker lights hooked up they were just on all the time. No blink. The test light blinks, but the LED's don't.

In retrospect, that makes perfect sense due to the nature of an LED. I just didn't take the time to think about that untill after I got everything hooked up.

Looks like it's back to the good old incandescent bulbs.

Bummer.

I custom fabricated my brackets for those exact lights.

 

[Willl]

One of those little cube relays might do it.

Or replace your flasher w/ an electronic one.

 

[patrick_g]

My Kubota has 4-way flashers and turn signals. 4 way flashers for vehicles on a public road at speeds under 45MPH (most of us on tractors) are a good idea. Turn signals aren't particularly important unless you have a cab and can't give hand signals (or only have one arm that works and you need it for steering.) I have rear work lights and typically turn them on if I am on the highway after dark. They help you to be seen. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pat