Installed a rear camera and tested it tonight.

   / Installed a rear camera and tested it tonight. #1  

Rob41

Silver Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2021
Messages
219
Location
Cheboygan, MI
Tractor
Kubota M7040
I got a $220 Amazon special that seemed to be highly rated:


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.
 

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   / Installed a rear camera and tested it tonight. #2  
Very interesting... going to look into this myself.
How much of an improvement is the front view over your regular seated position?
 
   / Installed a rear camera and tested it tonight. #3  
mount the other on the roof of the cab. I think you would get a better angle
 
   / Installed a rear camera and tested it tonight.
  • Thread Starter
#4  
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.
 
   / Installed a rear camera and tested it tonight.
  • Thread Starter
#5  
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.
 
   / Installed a rear camera and tested it tonight. #6  
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.
 
   / Installed a rear camera and tested it tonight. #7  
Let us know how readable the screen is in daylight and in direct sun
 
   / Installed a rear camera and tested it tonight. #8  
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.
 
   / Installed a rear camera and tested it tonight. #9  
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.
 
   / Installed a rear camera and tested it tonight.
  • Thread Starter
#10  
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.
 
 
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