Strobe Lights

[srs]

Though well intentioned I can't help but think you maybe inadvertently creating as much hazard as you wish to reduce.

Jay, Not to bust your b****! I remember hearing something about the glare factor too when I was in Law Enforcement. Some drivers are distracted by lights and actually are "drawn" into the lighting. But there are bad drivers regardless and they will crash into you whether you have too little lights or too many lights. I error (if that is the correct term) on the side of having way more lights then not enough lights. When responding to emergency calls, whether it be LE or fire apparatus more is definitely better! Also, if an accident should result and God forbid someone runs into 4shorts he/she can't say they didn't see him. 4shorts go for it!! And as usual your work in awesome.

 

[Jaylegger]

Have you ever heard the phrase " Err on the side of caution"? Google it. When I'm out on the open road dealing with traffic I'm much more visible with these lights making a dangerous situation safer. That's my take on it and you will not convince me otherwise!

I'm just pointing out a real documented and studied phenomena directly related to warning beacons. If you wish to err on the side of caution you may wish to do a little research on the areas of "discomfort glare" and "disability glare". I only point this out because viewing the video would indicate to me that at least from the back either of those factors could be real issues which could potentially reduce safety.

Here's a link to one such study, of many, on the subject of balancing conspicuity with it's dis-benefits such as discomfort and disability glare and I'll quote the first paragraph of it's recommendations. The table of recommendations provides flash rates for day and night etc.

http://ca.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oG75lgjlZNqqoApzrrFAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTByc2FtNTRpBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNgRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkAw--/SIG=12u63fpns/EXP=1297604576/**http%3a//www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29wgs/wp29gre/greinfdoc/48inf02.doc

Recommendations
The test programme confirmed that, in general, those factors which make a warning beacon more conspicuous also give rise to disability glare, discomfort glare and distraction. Therefore the recommendations given below seek not to maximise conspicuity but to optimise it in relation to the disbenefits it generates. The recommendations have been made giving full consideration to the unique requirements of the different groups of warning beacon users.


Anyways, no biggie, I just presumed if your intent was to increase safety this might be an area you might be interested in investigating.

 

[Jaylegger]

I error (if that is the correct term) on the side of having way more lights then not enough lights. When responding to emergency calls, whether it be LE or fire apparatus more is definitely better!

In this case it's "err" as that is the verb form. I had to look it up.

Actually I believe studies have proved that more lights definitely may not be better. Here's an interesting blurb I just found.

The Illinois State Police and California Highway Patrol studies questioned the use of light bars on their police cars and the safety of the officers while engaged in their duties next to the roadway. The collision rate for emergency vehicles displaying lights while parked next to the highway were two and a half times higher for the same 100,000 miles driven than for non-emergency vehicles

 

[srs]

In this case it's "err" as that is the verb form. I had to look it up.

Actually I believe studies have proved that more lights definitely may not be better. Here's an interesting blurb I just found.

The Illinois State Police and California Highway Patrol studies questioned the use of light bars on their police cars and the safety of the officers while engaged in their duties next to the roadway. The collision rate for emergency vehicles displaying lights while parked next to the highway were two and a half times higher for the same 100,000 miles driven than for non-emergency vehicles

Jay, thanks for correcting my "error", pun intended. I was really questioning myself when I wrote that. Ha!

I understand but sitting on the side of the road and going back and forth on a tractor are two different things. But I understand what you are saying and you make some valid points. And for what its worth this is only my opinion and you know how much that is worth, not much.

 

[Coyote machine]

Studies usually find the results the agency who hired them to find sought out in the first place. Drug companies come to mind.
Multi-lane freeways where motorists are often well over the posted speed limit are entirely different than secondary, usually two way traffic divided highways. If it were me on the tractor I'd rather try to have motorists see me from a distance than be trying to avoid me after suddenly seeing me, or not, and then trying a last ditch effort to not run into me.
I'm for lights, though I can see how it might be somewhat annoying to have to see around the 'spaceship*' as it lands.

Go 4shorts tractor* !!:thumbsup:

 

[Jaylegger]

4shorts, I just looked at some of your stuff, very impressive work. Gasoline alley is very cool.:thumbsup:

 

[4shorts]

4shorts, I just looked at some of your stuff, very impressive work. Gasoline alley is very cool.:thumbsup:

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed seeing the stuff. I put ten years into restoring/fabricating it and loved every minute of it :thumbsup: Don't do much of it these days because I ran out of room :confused3:

Well when it comes to the strobes I was sure happy enough to have them on the tractor today. We had snow last night so I was in the seat at 4 AM this morning and worked the tractor for a full 7.5 hours. I only stopped enough to grab breakfast. I had to move snow around my contract areas because they were starting to get socked in. I had the beast topped up to full and after I got back to the shop it had only went through 6 gallons of fuel which I thought was exceptional.
Anyway I did a hastily made video to give you all an idea of what I did and yes the lights did help. Folks slowed down when they seen me

Another video please...:thumbsup:

You got it sir :laughing:

YouTube - Kubota Snow Clearing Feb 2011

 

[patrick_g]

It is impolite to try to confuse someone with facts when there mind is made up!

As is usually the case neither all nor nothing is the best solution but determining the right amount requires effort so is NOT popular.

Pat

 

[4shorts]

It is impolite to try to confuse someone with facts when there mind is made up!

As is usually the case neither all nor nothing is the best solution but determining the right amount requires effort so is NOT popular.

Pat

So true but I don't beleave it to be "fact". :confused:

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Well I got my strobe light from Strobes N More. Great quality and fantastic service. I know a few vendors that could learn from these guys. super fast shipping.

Anyway I mounted mine in the rear window. Modified the mounting system a little to make it work and it did. I also picked up some amber 4"strobes locally. They are made by

Grote​

and fabricated a few aluminum brackets and mounted them on the side of the cab. They are quad flashing and very bight. Now I will be seen. :laughing:

Here's a video of the lights: YouTube -

Kubota​

LED lighting

Hi Paul,

Nice ''as always''!!

I like the video!... When a person is on the highway with a tractor, You need all the lights you can get!! :thumbsup:

.