Need advice on Work Lights

[glagen]

I have a 4310 and want to add front and rear lighting. Dealer says the light kits are different for front and rear and each kit contains a pair of fixtures. He claims many folks buy only the front kit and modify one of the mounting brackets to attach one fixture facing the rear and the other facing the front. Since there would be only one work light forward and one rear, would there be enough light and is it a problem having light focused only on the side of the machine that the fixture is mounted on? It would seem to me that it would be better to have two lights forward and two rear but I don't want to waste money if I really don't need to. Any opinions?
Steve Z

 

[JEA]

I've got a 4310 with two rear work lights -- I use these a ton for (1) general lighting in an area where I'm working, or (2) when splitting wood or putting implements away late at night. I prefer two on the back, as this cuts down on shadows, etc. when working back there. On the forward lighting, I just ordered brush guards and two forward lights, as well. I got tired of swiveling the rear facing lights, and squinting when light was short. I believe forward lights come as a set of two, and rear lights come as individuals. In short, if you work a lot at night or during the winter, get both rears (2) and forwards, and you won't be sorry.

JEA

 

[WCarlson]

Steve Z,
I have the standard JD rear lights on my 4200. I loosened the bracket and turned one around to face forward. They are adequate for my purposes, I seldomly work at night except blowing snow or when finishing up a job, if I am using the backhoe at night I spin both lights to face aft.. I suggest you get the rear work lights and try spinning one for increased illumination forward. If it isn't satisfactory, you can always add the front lights,
Bill

 

[Dave4410]

If you install the lights by the book, the forward-facing lights will be on top of the brush guards that you will install on the rops. The rear-facing light(s) will be mounted lower and on the inside of the rops. I have two forward lights and one rear. The two in front are great for lighting up a vast area ahead and above the loader bucket. The only purpose the rear lighting serves for me is for backing-up. I don't use my backhoe at night and have no need to illuminate a larger area that what the single lamp takes care of. Good luck.

 

[texastomtom]

I will confirm that the fronts come as a pair, the rears individual.

Front mount on brush guards and rear below and on inside edge of rops.

I have 2 front and 2 rear.

I like two rears for similar reasons of good lighting without much shadowing area. I like them just like they are.

As to the front lights. I discovered that they create a LOT of glare from the dash area and hood AND they tend to mess wish my vision from the standpoint that they shine in my peripheral vision. Its like shining a bright light directly into your eyes and then expecting to be able to see good.

I do still like them though as I finally aimed them to the sides just enough that the lens' are not in my peripheral vision. In in other words if I turn my head and look at the light from the operators station I only see the black casing - not the BRIGHT lens. This keep from messing up my night vision. With them at this angle I still get some light in the front area of the tractor. For me I find it more useful to light up all around myself anyhow. So ALL IS GOOD.

I have never used the loader much at night but if I did it might be of benefit to aim them back straight forward in that situation. I dont tighten the bolts very tight thus I am able to adjust them as desired.

If I really needed more forward light I believe I would put some ON TOP of the rops and use fixtures that would block any of the light from the hood/dash/operators station.

Actually even where they are located if they had a 'blackout ring' type fixture that blocked glare onto the above mentioned areas that would also be nice.

tom

(yet another mini novel completed )

 

[AKfish]

I'm planning to install both front and rear work lights. I'm leaning towards using 2 in front and 2 in back. The daylight hours during the winter months up here are real short and there's plenty of snow to move in the dark!! With the FEL on and a 7' backblade, I want as much light as I can get in both directions. My question is; do you recommend going with the JD lights or with an aftermarket light? My 970 has pilot holes in the fenders and the ROP for light attachments. I'm not sure if I can tap into the rear lights or flashers or if I'll have to wire into the dash at this point. Thanks for the feedback. AKfish Oh yah, we still have snow up here. Grass from last fall is visible around the base of the trees but there's at least a foot of hard, crusty snow in the woods around the house. (I'm ready for some dirt!) /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[dmp437]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My question is; do you recommend going with the JD lights or with an aftermarket light? )</font>

That depends on how much light you think you need and the color of your money. If you need lots of light and have lots of money go aftermarket and get some HID's. They're starting to come on the larger Deere's now from the factory but not on the CUT's.
I'm cheap so I went with the JD lights. Two on the flasher brackets facing forward and two facing towards the rear. Right now they all come on at the same time but some time this summer the rears are going on their own switch and circuit, probably circuit "F2".

 

[rmonio]

Ditto to everyone else's comments. Having purchased one rear light last year, I spent the extra and purchased another rear + the set of front lights too. The cost wasn't that bad and having the extra light is really nice. I have to agree with an earlier respondent, though, that having some type of shielding on the forward facing lights would be nice as the glare does hit ya square when you turn your head at night - but overall I'm really happy with how things turned out.

Good luck!

-Bob

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I put some pics here:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Board/jdown/Number/610324/page/2/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

 

[AKfish]

KennedyDiesel,
Great pictures. The link to Hella lights was a good touch, too. Looks like there's enough room in your shop to get my tractor in there...
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
AKfish

Think dirt!