Sealed beam or Halogen?

[Gary_in_Indiana]

That's my question. Since I can't afford HID, which type of lighting is superior and why? What are the pro's and con's of each?

 

[Junkman]

halogen is always superior, but what the application is, is also important.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Just some additional lighting on equipment to extend my workday - nothing special or elaborate. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Junkman]

Halogen will give you more light for the same wattage. Power consumption is always a concern on a tractor with a marginal output alternator. I have found that to get enough light to work in the dark, you have to set up work lights, and even then it is marginal. When it is dark, I just park the machine for the evening. No sense in getting hurt just because you can't see well. My old eyes have taught this old body that safety is in the light of day, not the light of halogen.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

If I were able to have my tractoring as a priority and my job as a secondary concern I could take your good advice. Unfortunately, I seem to have to do it the other way around and, as a result of that, sometimes find myself mowing or brush hogging well into the evening.

Just Tuesday night I went over and mowed a few acres for my next door neighbor because I knew he didn't have a brush hog and had seen him trying to get through some three and four foot high grass with a belly mower on his Kubota last weekend. I was just finishing for the day but told him to let it alone and I'd get it for him next time I was out there with my brush hog on. Rather than wait, I just went out Tuesday and did it. I didn't finish until after ten and some additional lights might have helped.

For me it seems like it's never a choice of working at night or not, but rather a choice of working at night with just my headlights or with some decent additional lighting. Given those realities, additional lighting seems like the safe and prudent choice. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Ozarker]

I agree with Junk man that halogen produces more noticeable light but halogen also produces significantly more heat. That is a concern when you decide where to mount the light. Make sure wires are mounted away from the heated area and you have to pay attention to the overhead stuff such as branches. Park under a tree with branches close to the light and you could set the tree on fire.

 

[JimR]

Go with the halogens and get the most for your money. I have 2 sets of portables that I have been using while working on my barn at night. Those lights almost make it look like daylight. I bet they would work even better on a tractor. I would love to mount the high beams off my wife's Acura on my Cub. They are the brightest lights that I have ever seen.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> "I would love to mount the high beams off my wife's Acura on my Cub." </font>

Sounds like a 'win-win' deal. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

You get nice lights for your Cub and she doesn't have to worry about driving at night. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Ozarker]

I have and use the halogen work lights as well. But one has to be aware of the additional heat put out by halogen bulbs and the increased fire hazard. Halogen lights have burned down a lot of houses over the past 20 years or so.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml97/97173.html

 

[KENSFM]

I agree with the others that halogen is the way to go. Halogen is also available as a "sealed beam", they came as standard driving lights on my Jeep Cherokee.
Ken

 

[LLove]

I usually prefer Halogen lamps, exceptions include the mounting posistion. Mounted above and behind your head can give you a Real sunburn.
You have a choice on "Beam" patterns, Flood, Driving, Work, Trapazodial, Etc. I use the driving-spot for a direct hot spot of light with reduced area illumination.
The work-flood style gives a broader coverage for implement needs. This is not the Fog lamp style.
The Plastic housings,and or lenses won't rust, but they snap and break a lot easier than the Metal housings.
Check in your Owner's book to see what optional lighting was available, Rating,style,location. This will tell you not only where but what electrical loads the tractor will support. It maybe necessary to add relay(s),switches and fuses to do what you desire.
Also try them out at night before final placement and mounting. Don't ask.....I'm guilty. Well once anyway! They cast a pretty good shadow from the smallest item in the Beam path.
Lloyd

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> "try them out at night before final placement and mounting." </font>

I'm big fan of doing that with about anything before I start drilling or welding. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I can get about anything temporarily mounted between C-clamps, magnets, hose clamps, wire ties and, of course, the handyman's secret weapon - duct tape! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[LLove]

Just had another thought, after a couple of days...how about using "Snowplow" lights? Fairly cheap, good beam coverage, rough enviroment useage.
Might be just the ticket.
Lloyd

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I have a pair of plow lights with which I'm experimenting right now but wanted to consider all of the options. Even if I go with those I'll still want something for the rear. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Gary we used a set of Signal Stat snow-plow lights with good results. See attachment

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

If only I had a canopy.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif