LED light bar for the mower

[BigTee]

Where do you get the good looking switches? I'm thinking of installing lights also, but haven't found a good switch yet.

 

[piercedtiger]

Where do you get the good looking switches? I'm thinking of installing lights also, but haven't found a good switch yet.

I got this wire harness with relay, fuse, and switch. Just needed to add some wire to get it up to the top of the ROPS.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D1CQVIY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Guys on a truck forum I'm on seem to like LED Switches - On/Off 12V LED Switch for switches.

 

[bumperm]

That, and there was zero light on the back to see when backing up.

Exactly! I had the same issue when I drove my brand new B3350 before I installed rear LED work lights, in reverse, like heading into a black hole. It came with stock 35 watt halogen work lights on the front (optional for the rear), but I knew going in those were going to tossing those halogens anyway, replacing with LEDs - - (a shame the mfg's aren't more responsive to there customers on this sort of thing, they know darn well LED's are far better. Sure, they cost a little more, but for an extra $100, they could have offered LEDs front and back). I did order Kubota's panel lit panel switch to match the front work light switch. Again, to Kubota's credit, they did have the knockout for the switch and all wiring was pre-installed (plug at switch end hidden - taped up high to the wiring harness behind the panel :c).

Speaking of things they "should have done", I'm in the process of adding a turbocharger cool-down circuit. This allows you to turn off the key and jump down without worrying about coking the turbo shaft bearings 'cause you were too rushed (or forgot) to sit there at idle and wait. The circuit keeps the engine running at idle for a predetermined cooling period, typically a minute or two, before doing an auto shutoff.

 

[piercedtiger]

Exactly! I had the same issue when I drove my brand new B3350 before I installed rear LED work lights, in reverse, like heading into a black hole. It came with stock 35 watt halogen work lights on the front (optional for the rear), but I knew going in those were going to tossing those halogens anyway, replacing with LEDs - - (a shame the mfg's aren't more responsive to there customers on this sort of thing, they know darn well LED's are far better. Sure, they cost a little more, but for an extra $100, they could have offered LEDs front and back). I did order Kubota's panel lit panel switch to match the front work light switch. Again, to Kubota's credit, they did have the knockout for the switch and all wiring was pre-installed (plug at switch end hidden - taped up high to the wiring harness behind the panel :c).

Speaking of things they "should have done", I'm in the process of adding a turbocharger cool-down circuit. This allows you to turn off the key and jump down without worrying about coking the turbo shaft bearings 'cause you were too rushed (or forgot) to sit there at idle and wait. The circuit keeps the engine running at idle for a predetermined cooling period, typically a minute or two, before doing an auto shutoff.

That kind of thing really bugs me. Why bother pre-wireing and having a panel knockout if you don't offer the extra lights? Forget halogen vs LED, at least put something there! It's not like these are bumper cars that only go forward and you eventually smash your way through! (Well, maybe the way some people drive they are! HA HA) If they take the time to wire headlights, tail markers and turn signals, why aren't there at least minimal white lights on the rear? Even the combo tail/stop/signal/license plate lights off a trailer the a small window in the bottom of the lens for white light to come through would be better than nothing.

My shed has no lights, so even during the day it can be hard to see hooking up my tiller.

 

[bumperm]

That kind of thing really bugs me. Why bother pre-wireing and having a panel knockout if you don't offer the extra lights? Forget halogen vs LED, at least put something there! It's not like these are bumper cars that only go forward and you eventually smash your way through! (Well, maybe the way some people drive they are! HA HA) If they take the time to wire headlights, tail markers and turn signals, why aren't there at least minimal white lights on the rear? Even the combo tail/stop/signal/license plate lights off a trailer the a small window in the bottom of the lens for white light to come through would be better than nothing.

My shed has no lights, so even during the day it can be hard to see hooking up my tiller.

I agree, why nickle and dime the customer when you're selling a higher end (north of $25K) CUT. However, as I noted in previous post, the rear work lights are offered as an option. The point I was trying to make is that they did do the hard part (wiring) included. IMO, opting for the factory rear lights was not the way to go, at least not if you want nice LED lighting. But to buy just their switch and add your own LEDs, you also have to fabricate steel brackets to mount whatever lights you choose - - something that those without access to metal working tools will not want to undertake.

 

[piercedtiger]

I agree, why nickle and dime the customer when you're selling a higher end (north of $25K) CUT. However, as I noted in previous post, the rear work lights are offered as an option. The point I was trying to make is that they did do the hard part (wiring) included. IMO, opting for the factory rear lights was not the way to go, at least not if you want nice LED lighting. But to buy just their switch and add your own LEDs, you also have to fabricate steel brackets to mount whatever lights you choose - - something that those without access to metal working tools will not want to undertake.

Understood. My thinking was at least put the lights there so the customer can swap them out for better ones later. You can at least USE the tractor until you get around to modifying it. I mean, would you by a truck without tail lights knowing you were planning on using better bulbs at some point later? Turn signals are included, but how many of us actually use them or plan to use them? Adding a switch and some cheap, bulk-purchased, factory lights on the back wouldn't add that much. And then there would already be brackets for guys like us to put better ones on! I can't get off the tractor with the PTO running without the engine shutting off, but there's no light to see what I'm doing around it? Seems like a little be of oversight there. haha

 

[BigTee]

I got this wire harness with relay, fuse, and switch. Just needed to add some wire to get it up to the top of the ROPS.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D1CQVIY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Guys on a truck forum I'm on seem to like LED Switches - On/Off 12V LED Switch for switches.

Thanks for the info, just placed the order.

 

[lostcreekranch]

My understanding is that rear work lights are now standard on the LS XR4XXX tractors with cabs. LS is listening to us. Seems that LS USA pays attention to the input from their dealers.

The other brands ........... not so much.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[Jw5875]

24Inch 120W Led Light Bar Flood Spot Combo Work Lights 4WD UTE Offroad Car Boat

Ordered two, should be here next week ---- anxious!!!!!!!!!

Jw 5875

 

[piercedtiger]

24Inch 120W Led Light Bar Flood Spot Combo Work Lights 4WD UTE Offroad Car Boat

Ordered two, should be here next week ---- anxious!!!!!!!!!

Jw 5875

TWO?!?! You trying to replace the sun?? HAHAHAHA :laughing:

 

[Jw5875]

Just want to tan front and back the same time!!!!!!
(purchased one for the Kubota RTV 500 to assist front visibility, other for tractor rear ROP bar to brighten area for 3pt equip.)

Jw 5875

 

[porky69]

Sure! It's more of a temp mount for now. I'm concerned with clearance and had thought about being able to move it around as a work light when off the tractor. I bought a couple 100lb lift/pull magnets thinking they would be strong enough to hold it on, but when it took next to no effort to pop them off my kitchen door I decided against using them.

I bet if you stuck those magnets on a substantial piece of steel (steel work bench or maybe even your ROPS) and the whole magnet was touching the surface they would be a lot harder to remove. But it is true that they are a lot harder to pull off straight up than if you peel them off (as would happen if you used them to mount lights).

 

[piercedtiger]

I bet if you stuck those magnets on a substantial piece of steel (steel work bench or maybe even your ROPS) and the whole magnet was touching the surface they would be a lot harder to remove. But it is true that they are a lot harder to pull off straight up than if you peel them off (as would happen if you used them to mount lights).

I can try sticking them to the ROPS to see what happens, but I wasn't impressed with how easily they came off a steel door. I had a steel 5 gal bucket less than half full of coconut oil (50 lbs full) and I couldn't even lift it more than an inch without the magnet breaking loose, going straight up. So no, they're not the "100lbs lift" they were advertised as.

As it is, my setup twisted backwards when I hit some branches on my apple tree, without damage. Didn't fall off, didn't break anything on the lights. Just backed up, pulled the branches out, and pulled the bar back down. Still debating on making a canopy of some sort and mounting the bar on the front edge of that.

 

[Jw5875]

Just want to tan front and back the same time!!!!!!
(purchased one for the Kubota RTV 500 to assist front visibility, other for tractor rear ROP bar to brighten area for 3pt equip.)

Jw 5875

Well got the units today, installed one on the RTV 500, tried it tonite --------------------------------------WOW! it out shines the factory head lights and give great illumination on the sides. I have to turn it off when I get close to the neighbors house.
Tried to order another and they are out of them, plus a $2.00 increase listed. Can't wait 'till I put the other unit on the tractor.

JW 5875

 

[piercedtiger]

Well got the units today, installed one on the RTV 500, tried it tonite --------------------------------------WOW! it out shines the factory head lights and give great illumination on the sides. I have to turn it off when I get close to the neighbors house.
Tried to order another and they are out of them, plus a $2.00 increase listed. Can't wait 'till I put the other unit on the tractor.

JW 5875

It really is amazing how much light they put out! I turn mine on just to light up behind the barn when buttoning up the goats and chickens for the night. Now I'm thinking about a battery tender since I suspect it took longer to start this morning due to the battery being low......from me using the lights. :ashamed: Or we need to start and run it more often.