Installed a rear camera and tested it tonight.

[Rob41]

I got a $220 Amazon special that seemed to be highly rated:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FM3YLT5?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

It should have taken maybe 25-30 minutes to install but I ended up having to spend a fun filled 2 hours doing it.

My biggest issue was finding a good keyed accessory source. I tried 4 different times with the ignition switch (after checking for 12v keyed source of course). FFS, every time I connected the plug, tractor started. Fine, I'll remove the top of the console, clamshell plastic around the steering column and tap into the keyed source for the headlights. After all the little lightweight 7" monitor doesn't use hardly any power. Tested it and worked perfectly. I mounted the 7" monitor right on top of the dash using the existing single screw already there so no drilling. Also used their sticky foam tape on the bottom of the bracket to ensure it won't move. Hid the wiring for the power pretty well so it's a very clean install. As you'll see in the pics, My view from the drivers seat is not obstructed whatsoever.

Then I started snow blowing and realized when I turn the headlights on, the monitor goes out. Okay, so I'll have to get back in there this week and find another source. But it works.

The rear facing camera (comes with two) I fastened to the inside of the rear window using their supplied suction cup bracket for now. It held the whole time I was moving snow. I just used the cigarette lighter plug to get it done so I could get going. It actually worked really well. While you can tell there is a wiper going back and fourth it really doesn't stand out or detract from the view at all.

The last picture is immediately after pulling the tractor back into the barn.

 

[Talkstogoats]

Very interesting... going to look into this myself.
How much of an improvement is the front view over your regular seated position?

 

[LittleBill21]

mount the other on the roof of the cab. I think you would get a better angle

 

[Rob41]

I didn't hook up a front view camera....just the one for the rear view.

I plan on getting a machinists magnetic mount and adding a USB 12v battery pack for the second camera. That way there are nor wires and I can place it anywhere, when it's not snowing of course. Could be handy in some situations like twice in the last couple days I was by myself and had to load and unload a wood stove from the back of my truck. I wanted to use the bucket to do it without lifting it from slings. It felt like the old days of backing up to a hitch without a back up camera. Stop, get out and check distance and repeat a few times. For that use a portable battery powered camera will be useful.

 

[Rob41]

mount the other on the roof of the cab. I think you would get a better angle

The angle would be nice but the lens would quickly be covered in snow and be useless.

My rear camera is inside the cab and if it weren't for the rear wiper it wouldn't be much use.

My snow blower is a rear 3 point.

 

[RjCorazza]

Nice install. A rear view camera is on my list of projects. I want the high angle that an exterior mount achieves though. The rear will be bolted to the underside of the cab roof, and likely heated.
I'm still thinking about a front mount that is portable, but I want to see the view from high up under the cab roof first.

I use "rare earth" magnets (Neodymium) for various things, and I recommend that you look into them for your mount. Incredibly strong in a small package. I would imagine a 100lb magnet would be about right for a camera. The 200 lb ones are very difficult to remove. The 200lb ones I have are about the size of a silver dollar, and have a single bolt through the center. They are all over Amazon at a reasonable price.

 

[mikester]

Let us know how readable the screen is in daylight and in direct sun

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks for the link. This seems like a really useful thing to have in a cabbed tractor while out mowing m or doing just about anything out in the woods.

 

[PuffyC]

Very nice, looks similar to the setup I have. I use magnetic mounts so I can move the cameras around as needed and they work great btw. Only lost one when I was clearing some trees. The front view is where it gets tricky. I haven’t been able to find a spot where you can really see what you’re doing with the loader. Putting it on the bucket is too close and anything further back keeps you from seeing what you’re doing. If you find something that works I’d be interested in hearing what it is. I don’t have a cab so my screen is in the sunlight but that’s usually not a problem. The only time it gets hard to see is if there’s dust on it.

 

[Rob41]

Let us know how readable the screen is in daylight and in direct sun

I forgot to mention something I did and read in the reviews for this camera. One reviewer said only after removing the plastic on the screen it became more difficult to view because of his polarized sunglasses.

Si I left the plastic on my screen which was exceedingly difficult because if I have OCD about anything, it's about removing the plastic protector stuff. Fortunately, this protector is perfectly clear.

 

[mmranch]

Couple of thoughts for those that are considering this.

I have a single camera setup and really love having it. The one I bought is a single camera wireless system where the camera was attached to a small license plate mount. It was intended for mounting on the back of a vehicle where the camera is approximately 10-15 feet from the receiving screen up by the driver. It took me several days to get installed and working (mostly) right.

The camera is installed on the top rear of the cab looking aft and the screen is installed inside the cab up above the front windshield. The screen is about 4-5 inches in size. The camera never really gets obscurred but I don't use a snow blower which tends to coat everything with snow. I rinse it off with the power washer when washing the tractor. I had to unbuild a good deal of the cab stuff to route the power wires and tapped them into one of the work light power wires. I have a toggle switch to turn the system on/off.

The only issue is that because it is a wireless system where the camera transmits it's picture signal to the screen... the camera antenna is too close to the receiving screen antenna in the cab setup. The distance from camera to screen is approximately 2.5 ft. where normally it would be 10-15 ft. What happens is... as you are looking at the screen, you need to be seeing 100% realtime all the time. When I look at the screen, most of the time I see realtime. But periodically, the realtime will intermittantly freeze and then resume. This makes for a fragmented view which can't be totally relied upon. I will probably put in a hard-wired system to get reliable realtime in the future.

I really like having the rear view as it helps me keep track of ranch dogs and I do a lot of driving in reverse.

 

[Tigercub]

Couple of thoughts for those that are considering this.

I have a single camera setup and really love having it. The one I bought is a single camera wireless system where the camera was attached to a small license plate mount. It was intended for mounting on the back of a vehicle where the camera is approximately 10-15 feet from the receiving screen up by the driver. It took me several days to get installed and working (mostly) right.

The camera is installed on the top rear of the cab looking aft and the screen is installed inside the cab up above the front windshield. The screen is about 4-5 inches in size. The camera never really gets obscurred but I don't use a snow blower which tends to coat everything with snow. I rinse it off with the power washer when washing the tractor. I had to unbuild a good deal of the cab stuff to route the power wires and tapped them into one of the work light power wires. I have a toggle switch to turn the system on/off.

The only issue is that because it is a wireless system where the camera transmits it's picture signal to the screen... the camera antenna is too close to the receiving screen antenna in the cab setup. The distance from camera to screen is approximately 2.5 ft. where normally it would be 10-15 ft. What happens is... as you are looking at the screen, you need to be seeing 100% realtime all the time. When I look at the screen, most of the time I see realtime. But periodically, the realtime will intermittantly freeze and then resume. This makes for a fragmented view which can't be totally relied upon. I will probably put in a hard-wired system to get reliable realtime in the future.

I really like having the rear view as it helps me keep track of ranch dogs and I do a lot of driving in reverse.

I would like to install a rear view camera on my cab Bx23s. I use a box blade for snow removal and turning around all the time to see what is going on back there is killing my back! I don't mind some wiring as I need real time and a good sized monitor display (7in) any thoughts?

 

[Boss 302]

I learned a long time ago that whenever someone posts the time spent to complete a project you should double it. Just check out some of the you tube technical videos to repiar/replace or install something and see if their estimated times pans out.

 

[number two]

Good stuff Rob41!

 

[Rob41]

Thanks, just wanted to share in case anyone else was considering this.

 

[Xfaxman]

I would like to install a rear view camera on my cab Bx23s. I use a box blade for snow removal and turning around all the time to see what is going on back there is killing my back! I don't mind some wiring as I need real time and a good sized monitor display (7in) any thoughts?

Backup cameras are a wide angle view. I would recommend a narrow view, around 50 degree for your use: