Tractor lighting

[Natureboy]

I used a prewired, sealed rocker switch from TSC. Its actually a replacement for their pull behind sprayer units. Comes with about 8' of wire and a 15 amp inline mini fuse. I cut off the the battery clamps, connected that end to bullet con's already at the ROPS, and ran the wire up the ROPS to the worklight. Switch sits elbow heigth on my right. Put some of that plastic cable cover on the wires and zip tied it in 5 places. Whole thing was under $20.00. Look for the switch in the sprayer parts aisle.

 

[JB4310]

I fished 2 lights out of a dumpster, each one has two 55 watt bulbs.
I mounted one on the lower front corner of my canopy using the canopies existing bolt, couldn't of been easier.

I wanted a light mounted up high to shine over a raised snow plow, man this one light is bright and has a wide pattern. was thinking I would need both but after seeing it light up the night I know now I only need the one. It's way better than rear facing work lights that came from Deere, even better than the 2 stock headlights.

JB.

 

[Mcourchesne]

Wow folks~

I'm glad I've been searching the forums and threads for the lighting options but holy smokes...I'm a licensed electrician and this stuff has my head buzzing!

LED vs. Halogen...

I have a 2009 Massey GC2400 and looking to simply (i know...figuratively) add two work lights to the ROPS or just above the lights attached to the sides of the ROPS. I was wondering if I could add them in parallel to the existing hood lights. Of course, I haven't investigated what voltage the tractor runs on, amperage of the existing circuit, ability to power extra components on existing battery/alternator and whether an additional switch will need to be added. I don't do a lot of work at ngiht but would most likely use them when plowing my long driveway.

Ideas, suggestions and tribal knowledge is definitely requested....

Thanks,
Mike

 

[jovialjeeper]

I would recommend wiring in the lights with a new circuit and not with the current headlights. It depends on what/how many you are adding, but you risk overloading some existing component (fuse, switch, etc.) I don't know about the Massey, but my CaseIH has the headlights key switched. Depends on how you want it to operate, but I like being able to flip the lights on regardless of the key being switched and/or the tractor running. I added two forward and two rear aux lights with their own switches. I wired these (fused) directly to the battery. The console had two blank switchplates. I removed them and installed some rocker switches I bought from terminal supply. They are a near perfect fit for mine. The switch is CH-58328-11, and is illuminated green.

Hope that helps.

 

[Mcourchesne]

I would recommend wiring in the lights with a new circuit and not with the current headlights. It depends on what/how many you are adding, but you risk overloading some existing component (fuse, switch, etc.) I don't know about the Massey, but my CaseIH has the headlights key switched. Depends on how you want it to operate, but I like being able to flip the lights on regardless of the key being switched and/or the tractor running. I added two forward and two rear aux lights with their own switches. I wired these (fused) directly to the battery. The console had two blank switchplates. I removed them and installed some rocker switches I bought from terminal supply. They are a near perfect fit for mine. The switch is CH-58328-11, and is illuminated green.

Hope that helps.

Very helpful!

I did some investigating last night running through the tractor and various manuals that I have and it is a mere 40 amp alternator and the existing headlights are (13 watts each x 4) 52 watts total. I agree I'd like to use them regardless if the tractor is running or not. A new switch would be needed with an inline fuse for a separate circuit or attempt to utilize a spare fuse slot (if available) in the existing Massey fuse box.

I was looking at something like this HERE from TSC for the switch and then most likely purchase 2 - 55 watt floods and position one pointing forward and one pointing in the rear.

 

[Blizzard0308]

Mcourchesne, I happen to have the same tractor that you have and have just added lights so that I can see while I am snow blowing this year. What I did was mount the lights to the rings that surround the blinkers and ran the wires down the same way that the factory did though the ROPS. Then under the seat there is enough room for a relay where its fairly protected from the weather. I ran a fused power wire along the factory wire harness up and under the seat. To turn the lights on I ran a wire from the aux power connection that is to the left of the upper link. To turn the lights on flip the switch to the run position and they light up.

 

[radioman]

Have you checked with the dealer to see if there is a aux power connection on that tractor ? On mine, there is a pigtail off the wireloom in the back that is wrapped in electrical tape and without knowing its there, you would have never guessed. Its well hidden untill you start messing around with the wires to find it. I am guessing that since you have the newer tractor and the GC's seems to be a copycat of the BX's- it might be the same as well.

 

[Mcourchesne]

Mcourchesne, I happen to have the same tractor that you have and have just added lights so that I can see while I am snow blowing this year. What I did was mount the lights to the rings that surround the blinkers and ran the wires down the same way that the factory did though the ROPS. Then under the seat there is enough room for a relay where its fairly protected from the weather. I ran a fused power wire along the factory wire harness up and under the seat. To turn the lights on I ran a wire from the aux power connection that is to the left of the upper link. To turn the lights on flip the switch to the run position and they light up.

AWESOME, Thanks Blizzard0308! That is exactly how I wanted to mount the lighting. I was unsure in choosing the top or bottom of that protective steel ring and thought on top my provide a slightly higher trajectory point out/down onto the ground. It looks like you purchased the same wiring harness I was considering. I don't quite unsderstand how you switch on/off the lights though? Where to you get your lights? Are you happy with them?

Have you checked with the dealer to see if there is a aux power connection on that tractor ? On mine, there is a pigtail off the wireloom in the back that is wrapped in electrical tape and without knowing its there, you would have never guessed. Its well hidden untill you start messing around with the wires to find it. I am guessing that since you have the newer tractor and the GC's seems to be a copycat of the BX's- it might be the same as well.

Thanks Radioman~

I never thought to give them a call but that's a great idea and you may be right. A phone call could save be some time and wire.

 

[Blizzard0308]

I don't quite unsderstand how you switch on/off the lights though? Where to you get your lights? Are you happy with them?

Thanks Radioman~

I never thought to give them a call but that's a great idea and you may be right. A phone call could save be some time and wire.

I got the lights from TSC they are $11 a piece for the 35 watt bulbs and I also got the harness there too. I am very happy with the lights though I still may want to upgrade to the 55 watt bulbs later and use the 35 watt bulbs for the front to augment the lighting that is already there.

The lights are handled by the ignition switch because I tapped into the aux power wire to be my 12v "Switch" wire for the relay. When the ignition switch is in the run position the aux power wire is live with power. It took me a min to find the aux power wire because it was covered up with electrical tape but if you are looking at the rear of your tractor just to the left of the center link there is part of the main wiring harness. If you look closely there is a small "bullet" connector taped to the outside of the harness. This is what I tied into to use as my Switch. I wish I could get better picture of that area but they all come out very dark.

 

[Mcourchesne]

I got the lights from TSC they are $11 a piece for the 35 watt bulbs and I also got the harness there too. I am very happy with the lights though I still may want to upgrade to the 55 watt bulbs later and use the 35 watt bulbs for the front to augment the lighting that is already there.

The lights are handled by the ignition switch because I tapped into the aux power wire to be my 12v "Switch" wire for the relay. When the ignition switch is in the run position the aux power wire is live with power. It took me a min to find the aux power wire because it was covered up with electrical tape but if you are looking at the rear of your tractor just to the left of the center link there is part of the main wiring harness. If you look closely there is a small "bullet" connector taped to the outside of the harness. This is what I tied into to use as my Switch.

Excellent! I was looking to go with 2 - 55watt lights right from the start with the adjustable mounting bracket. One pointed forward and one pointed to the rear.

Thanks for the info on switching the lights on. Question is how do you switch them off?

Did you just grab the aux feed from there and supply the relay...then install a small rocker type switch to control the lights?

Thanks...
Mike