upgrading Headlights on L3883

[aczlan]

new to the list, I have a question about my father in law's Kubota L38?? (I think it is a L3838 but am not certian) it has a 72" back blade on it (no FEL yet, perhaps this summer... I would like to get a FEL with a quick-tatch bucket, forks and 7' snowplow)

I like the tractor, I use it to plow out his driveway, however the headlights are not worth the plastic they are made of... anyone have any luck putting aftermarket lights inside them???
I am currently thinking of removing the plastichrome "reflector" part of the light and installing a pair of car driving lights (55w each, using the current wires as triggers for a fused relay straight off the battery) inside the shell. the idea is that removing the back will allow the extra heat to escape and leaving the front will leave the tractor looking the same.

I have also considered installing a set of spotlights up on the ROPS to turn on as highbeams...

suggestions? does this sound like it will work? any better ideas?

Thanks

Aaron Z

 

[bota7800]

If you do get a loader, the factory headlight position will be mostly obscured anyway so I would put some lights on the ROPS instead. There are lots of posts on this. Be sure to check your alternator size before you start lighting it up like a rally car though

 

[Treemonkey1000]

It sounds like you are on the right track with using the fusible relays if you go with the headlights. Like Bota said make sure your alternator is capable. I have an L3750 and they just have a 25amp alternator in that. I figure the headlights would get me back to the shop for the night but they wouldn't be useful for much more. Lights on the ROPS and a good back up light is the way to go in my mind.
Jim

 

[aczlan]

Lights on the ROPS and a good back up light is the way to go in my mind.

I agree, I currently have a 55w foglight that was laying around mounted low (too low, now that I ave used it for a while) on the ROPS becuase I at times have to plow at night and it was impossible to see... so perhaps I will make a bar that mounts just under the ROPS and mount a pair of front lights, a rear light and an amber strobe, make it so that the lights are all switched sogether as generally if I need one I need all three... and perhaps wire the strobe into the flashers... see if I can catch the power before it hits the blinker relay...
I am generally try for a "stock" look when building stuff, be it the relay setup for my Volvo 940 (I put the front headlights, fogs and driving lights on relays run right off the batt, 2 extra switches (fogs and driving lts) that are both OEM Volvo ones from the junkyard, the whole setup looks like it came with the car) or the work I have done so far on the Kubota (rear LT and switch)...

still cant believe that Kubota would put such POS lights as the only source of light on the front of the tractor... otherwise I love it, it is much nicer that my dads old Massey Industrial 35 (it has a 35hp perkins, extra heavy FEL, 6' bucket and front end, has a shuttle and 3 speeds + Hi/Lo. as long as it has traction you can move anything you want to with it)

Aaron Z

 

[Treemonkey1000]

I
I am generally try for a "stock" look when building stuff, be it the relay setup for my Volvo 940 (I put the front headlights, fogs and driving lights on relays run right off the batt, 2 extra switches (fogs and driving lts) that are both OEM Volvo ones from the junkyard, the whole setup looks like it came with the car) or the work I have done so far on the Kubota (rear LT and switch)...

Aaron Z

That sounds great to go with a stock look. Maybe post some pictures of your project. I just mounted my back up light on the rear fender. I am hanging a large nylon bag from the top of my ROPS to carry fuel and rope for when I am out in the woods logging. I don't want to carry anything in the FEL. Chainsaws sit on the Fenders very well.
Jim

 

[Blagadan]

Heres another option. My 7100 has a poor dynamo that barely keeps my DC needs in check. I found I can add 1 auxilliary 55w light without draining the battery. Instead of going down the road of upgrading the dynamo to alternator (future project ) and fit a few more lights... I just went into Northern tool and bought a pair of small $10 12v spotlights and a 3 inch magnet base. I had some curly cable left over from an earlier project so I had the makings of a detachable light I can mount anywhere on my all metal tractor. I find it real handy to be able to point it directly where I want to look rather than depend on some fixed lights that may not always be in the place I need them.

The lamp is at the top centre of the photo, attached to the top of the transporter mast. There is a lot of light from it. ( I sand blasted the lens to diffuse the light even more, that made a big difference).

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Great idea on the magnetic mount lights Blagadan. My tractor is all metal as well so I could do that. It the dog trying to tell you it's time to go for a spin on the tractor?
Jim