Light kit for a M 6800 Kubota

[HCJtractor]

I have searched for info on adding lights to tractors, but wondered if anyone with a M 6800 or similar tractor has added lights. My grapple makes the factory lights useless. I need two forward facing lights and a rear worklight. Is there a dedicated circuit available for this? Please educate me on how to do this. I see many different styles of lights available. Is there a factory Kubota kit for this and if so, is it as good as aftermarket lights? What are my electrical limits in terms of amps?

I use my tractor in the woods, so it must be undermounted to the ROPS (no Cab) and be able to withstand an occasional low limb. I never drive on highways. Can someone walk me through the process of doing this? I want to do it right, so cost I don't want to cut corners. Thanks for your help!

 

[jayste]

Though I can't comment on forward facing lights I did mount a rear light above my 3PH on my M4800. Just in case you don't know at the base of each upright of the ROPS there should be a factory installed power pigtail. It'll be stubbed out from an electrical flexible conduit. I tied mine into that along with an inline fuse and ran it to a weather proof switch and on to the light. Anyway, thought I might mention it. It might assist in your installation.

Jay

 

[HCJtractor]

Thanks Jayste. I had heard there was a lead in the wiring harness, but did not know where. Any pictures of your rear light? What light did you use and where did you mount it?

 

[jayste]

HCJ, I bought them at Atwoods which our local version of TSC. They are standard rectangle shaped and mounted them on the back lip of the body next to the bracket for the SMV placard. I'll have to get you a pic of it this evening.

Jay

 

[kthompson]

I mounted two trapezoid lights on my M6800 under the front of the canopy and a flood light on the rear. You should be able to mount them under the roll bar with good results. As you are not suppose to drill or weld the roll bar you should use clamps. I installed a separate light switch and ran power to them. If mine (10 years old now) had a wiring harness on the roll bar missed it.

I will point out to you the draw back of this light set up is, bugs. Now if it is winter use only little issue, if summer nights in my part of SC...well get the insect repellent for a light at night draws them. I got so tired of the bugs and shifted work some to where I seldom use them.

 

[jayste]

Harold, It was pooring down rain last night when I got in so I didn't get that pic. I'll try and do it this evening.

Jay

 

[HCJtractor]

Harold, It was pooring down rain last night when I got in so I didn't get that pic. I'll try and do it this evening.

Jay

Thanks! Don't go to too much trouble. I read more on various posts and have decided to try some LED lights by Truck-Lite. I ordered three today, two forward facing trapezoidal floods and one rear flood with a shorter projection. They are a little pricey, but sound perfect. Lower power draw than halogens. I plan to mount them on the underside of the ROPS, and I will probably drill my ROPS to install them. I know that is forbidden, but I can't see how several tiny holes will compromise the integrity of the bar. I will probably switch them all together. Where did you place a switch?

 

[jayste]

Hey Harold,

I was able to get those pics. The first one shows the light and where I mounted it. The second shows the stubbed out pigtail on the wiring harness by the ROPS. The 3rd one shows the location of my switch. My original plan was to mount the switch and access the power at the steering column area but found the power source at the back so just made it simple. Anyway, I hope this helps. Tractor is pretty dirty I was doing some brush hogging last weekend. Tractor time!

Jay

 

[HCJ]

Thanks for taking the time to post these pics. That looks good. I thought about one rearward facing light in the middle of my ROPS, but your lower install may be better in terms of light projection at your implement, and keeping the bugs away form your head.

By the way, I like your "tool box". I guess you also feel that the Kubota factory box is worthless. It is way too small.

Don't worry about your dirty tractor. If it was clean, you lose credibility!!

Thanks again, Harold

 

[jayste]

No Problem, Harold. Thanks for the kind words. Yes, the Kubota tool box that came with the tractor is so small you can't even see it! Probably because mine didn't come with one!

Be sure and post some pics of your "add-on's".

Jay

 

[kthompson]

The rear light mounted where it is may work fine on his tractor but think the 3rd arm would not clear it on the M6800 when in storage or would not on mine. Also you might have hdy hoses to contend with in that same area.

I mounted the switch for my front light in the dash on left side and had purchsed a flood light with built in switch. Depending on what you are doing you may only need the lights in one direction and cutting off the others can help with bugs if they are being an issue.

 

[HCJtractor]

The rear light mounted where it is may work fine on his tractor but think the 3rd arm would not clear it on the M6800 when in storage or would not on mine. Also you might have hdy hoses to contend with in that same area.

I mounted the switch for my front light in the dash on left side and had purchsed a flood light with built in switch. Depending on what you are doing you may only need the lights in one direction and cutting off the others can help with bugs if they are being an issue.

I picked up a flood style LED Truck-Lite brand yesterday and am waiting on the trapezoidal spot type beam in the same LED to arrive. I plan to use two of those and probably just the one rear flood. I will play with the placement this weekend to see how well they work. I will probably mount them all on the underside of the ROPS to keep them protected. If I put them on top, they would not last long! I will search for the pigtail connection that some say is available for use back near the rops. I have a buddy who does a lot of auto wiring, and I will get his help to wire this up. I will probably have to fabricate some brackets.

 

[JRP]

I had the same problem with my M6800 front lights. They are too low, so the FEL bucket covers them up/

I mounted two lights to the front bumber/grill guard, just below the top of the guard such that they are protected. The factory lights switch has high and low beam. I cut the power wire going to the factory high beam bulbs and spliced it to the new lights. Now I have the factory switch control the factory low beam, and the new high beam, which is mounted high enough that it shines over the bucket.

This change minimizes electrical work.

 

[jayste]

I had the same problem with my M6800 front lights. They are too low, so the FEL bucket covers them up/

I mounted two lights to the front bumber/grill guard, just below the top of the guard such that they are protected. The factory lights switch has high and low beam. I cut the power wire going to the factory high beam bulbs and spliced it to the new lights. Now I have the factory switch control the factory low beam, and the new high beam, which is mounted high enough that it shines over the bucket.

This change minimizes electrical work.

Jrp, I like that idea. I'll have to file that one away. I just hope I can remember where I filed it!

Jay