lights for ROPS

Anonymous Poster · May 20, 2003

What is the best (brightest) lights to add on the ROPS for fel and front blade work? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 20, 2003

( What is the best (brightest) lights to add on the ROPS for fel and front blade work? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )

I've got 2 55 watt halogen's facing front that seem to throw many times the light that the front headlights throw. The trick is, of course, not drawing too much power and overtaxing the dynamo.

There have been many threads on added lights in customization and in Kubota owner over the last few months, including many pictures of extra lights (including mine).

thcri · May 20, 2003

Do a search for lights or FEL lights. You will find all kinds of ways to ad lights.

murph

CTyler · May 20, 2003

The 55w lights are a standard wattage, this is the same as the headlights on your car. A halogen bulb will give you more light from that same 55w than a standard bulb. Now if you want to go really bright you could use off road lights. You would need to check specs and use heavier wire for the extra amperage. I'd just go with standard wattage lights unless you have a need for the blinding high amp lights.

Anonymous Poster · May 20, 2003

Its sounds like 55 watt lights to me. Any thought as to what brand of lights?

Anonymous Poster · May 21, 2003

( Its sounds like 55 watt lights to me. Any thought as to what brand of lights? )

I bought mine at Walmart for under $20. Now if (when) one gets broken even I won't be too cheap to replace it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 21, 2003

I went with the 55w Trapezoidal lights from Northern Tool for my BX. Very pleased so far...

Anonymous Poster · May 21, 2003

( I went with the 55w Trapezoidal lights from Northern Tool for my BX. Very pleased so far... )

That's what I got for my rear light, I just haven't hooked it up yet. Won't need it till the winter. You obviously have superior metal working skills to mine. Your bracket to go around the ROPS looks real good. I made mine out of steel stock from Home Depot bent to shape with a hammer in a 2" vice. It ain't pretty so I went and got Kubota "official" ROPS grey paint to try and disguise it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BTW, I got the light from a local auto parts superstore, the name escapes me right now.

Anonymous Poster · May 22, 2003

( You obviously have superior metal working skills to mine. Your bracket to go around the ROPS looks real good.)

LOL!!! That's soft aluminum from the 'Depot bent around a block of wood with a hammer! My avocation is woodworking...about the only metal work I've done is grinding away at my new 3pt link adjusters that I put on to replace the turnbuckles at the same time as the lights...

BTW, I'm not at all happy with the wiring harness. It gets caught up too easily on "stuff" that brushes the FEL while mowing, etc. I need to replace that soft stuff with something harder at some point.

Anonymous Poster · May 23, 2003

[quoteLOL!!! That's soft aluminum from the 'Depot bent around a block of wood with a hammer!)

I was afraid that the aluminum would break when I tried to bend it so I bought the steel.

( BTW, I'm not at all happy with the wiring harness. It gets caught up too easily on "stuff" that brushes the FEL while mowing, etc. )

Having the cab takes care of that problem for me. The wiring will be almost completely inside. I bought some stick on squares about 1"x 1" that you slide wire ties through for running the wires along the inside of the cab. You could probably do that and eliminate the need for the large wire ties around the ROPS.

Anonymous Poster · May 23, 2003

( I bought some stick on squares about 1"x 1" that you slide wire ties through for running the wires along the inside of the cab. You could probably do that and eliminate the need for the large wire ties around the ROPS. )

I'm afraid that having the wires hanging out on these mounts would result in even more problem from limbs catching on the wires. That's why I put them in the flexible channel. Frankly, I'm actually thinking about using some 1/2" plastic conduit for the horizontal run between the mounting clamps. That part really needs to be more durable since our property does have quite a few trees to manuver around from time to time. But it's not a priority right now...the next mod is to install my new TinyTach that arrived yesterday. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

5030 · May 24, 2003

We use J.W. Speaker accessory lights on our units. You can get them at any tractor supply store, like Tractor Supply or your implement dealer. They aren't cheap, but they will take a beating and they are vibration resistant. They come in flood, spot and trapezoidial beam design. As we use them in our ag/haying operation, I like the fact that they have never let us down. They have a nice adjustable mount and are well built and made in the United States.

lpigott · May 24, 2003

I'm going to upgrade my lights soon. I'm planning on mounting them in the location that jbecker did except I plan on drilling the roll bar and mounting them under it so they are better protected. I will run the wire in side the bar so it is protected and out of sight. While me hands are in this I'm going to change to good good durable swithes for the factory lights. I'm tired so wasting time fliddling with the cheap ones Kubota put on these tractors. The lighting and light switches are on of the only bad items on these tractors. Seems like they would wake up one day and correct this huh? Not to mention making the headlights bright enough to be usefull and not just decorations.

5030 · May 24, 2003

When I ran mine on my 3710, I went to Radio Shack and got some flexible plastic wire conduit and ran along the inside/outside surface of the rops. I used wire clips to secure it. I also changed the light switch to a heavier one and added a weatherproof rubber switch cover.

5030 · May 24, 2003

Do they have Radio Shack in "China"?

lpigott · May 24, 2003

5030, I don't live in China I just work here. 28 days here and 28 home in Mississippi. No Radio Shack in China but you can bet most of the things from Radio Shack are made in China! I just show my location as China because thats usually where I am when I'm posting. Don't have enough time at home for this. I'm out riding a tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

5030 · May 24, 2003

My curiosity is peaked. What do you do? Longshoreman maybe?

lpigott · May 25, 2003

Offshore oil production. American company.

uhmgawa · May 26, 2003

( We use J.W. Speaker accessory lights on our units. You can get them at any tractor supply store, like Tractor Supply or your implement dealer. They aren't cheap, but they will take a beating and they are vibration resistant. They come in flood, spot and trapezoidial beam design. As we use them in our ag/haying operation, I like the fact that they have never let us down. They have a nice adjustable mount and are well built and made in the United States.
)

Before I bought a tractor I found our local Walmart has
halogen 55W flood lights for ~$11 in the automotive dept.
The case is a high temp plastic and the hardware is
stainless. Pretty good find for Walmart. Note this was
the only "flood" type I found. The other aftermarket
lights were more for automotive use.

5030 · May 26, 2003

You need to go to a dealer that deals in ag. equipment. Wally Mart lights will not last.

J.W. Speaker lights are sold at TSC. Forget the stainless mounts. Stainless is brittle and will vibration crack.