saxon
Member
I am anting to mount some lights for night work on my loader, LA524 on a 3800. The bucket will block the headlights unless raised up high. Has anyone done this on their loader?
Wanting to mount some lights to loader?
- Thread starter saxon
- Start date
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Those lights would be pretty vulnerable. Maybe someone who is way more "genteel and dignified" than I could get away with it, but if there were lights on my loader, they'd be broken in no time.
creekbend
Super Star Member
I agree. My thoughts also.
I use this magnetic based work light. I mount it all over depending what I'm doing. They say you shouldn't mount it upside down, but mine's been hanging from my ROPS with no problem. You could mount that on your loader, if it gets knocked off just put it back on.
Notforhire
Veteran Member
Right now my lights are on the ROPS. It was the easiest place to put them. On my previous machine ( a NH TC40D) I installed them on the loader main frame. When you remove the loader the lights stay with the tractor. I actually prefer the main frame mount , and probably will do the same mount on my Kubota, this summer. I had also mounted a mirror, which helps if I need to go down the road.
pedalstomper78
Gold Member
I've got some of the TractorHelp.com LED's mounted to my loader. I mounted them to the bolts that hold the pins in on the lift cylinders. They work really well there. The only drawback that I find is that as the loader goes up, so do the lights. I have them pointed pretty effectively though they shine on the ground in front of the tractor and only get blocked by the bucket after my vision is blocked by the bucket. Seems to be a good spot for them and I don't have any issues with bright lights starting me in the face when I have to look backwards.
sixdogs
Super Star Member
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- Dec 8, 2007
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- Kubota M7040, Kubota MX5100, Deere 790 TLB, Farmall Super C
I have not had luck with mounting the lights high up on the ROPS. The shadows created make it difficult to see what you are doing and I don;'t think they do much good up high. Better results for me came when I mounted them on the top of my grill guard. When the loader is down the tractor lights suffice and when the loader is up the grill guard lights are pretty good. None of this is 100% satisfactory because of the nature of mounting lights behind an obstacle.
Above is a photo of my L4300 setup.
pedalstomper78
Gold Member
Nice setup sixdogs. My headlights are mounted fairly low on my tractor. Loader down, I use the work lights. Loader up, my headlights shine underneath. Seems to work well here.
You're 100% right and I like the quote. "...the nature of mounting lights behind an obstacle" LOL
You're 100% right and I like the quote. "...the nature of mounting lights behind an obstacle" LOL
herringchoker
Platinum Member
I've found over the years that the best location for the forward lights on a tractor with a FEL is on the top of the cab, if you have a cab. Second best is a fixed mount on the loader frame tower, like Notforhire has.
pedalstomper78
Gold Member
They are referring to the tower as the part that sticks up off of the tractor and stays stationary. There's quite a number of guys on here that have made some great mounts like that setup.
chim
Elite Member
Always wondered if lights on the loader arms would work well, but never tried it. I've tried a few different mounting places for work lights and so far the one that worked best for me was ton the loader frame when I had the B7500:
It was surprising how well that setup worked. One flood on each side angled outward lit the work area nicely. It seemed like the loader and hood should have blocked the light, but the pattern was great. Below is a shot of the L3200 with lights mounted on the ROPS. The lighting was better than on the B7500 but there was another problem. I mow after dark sometimes. Dark + lights = bugs flying in the space I'd like to reserve for my face. How much after-sunset mowing depends on my schedule. One Spring it might have been May before I mowed in the daylight.
I'm about a week away from finishing a cab for the L3200 and have made provisions for mounting lights at the front/top of the cab. It will be interesting to see how that works. The lights came from our old plow truck at work. They are only a year old, but the truck was declared dead and we went with a new plow/lights/etc on one of the spare Tahoes. I'm hoping these lights throw a wide enough pattern to be useful.
It was surprising how well that setup worked. One flood on each side angled outward lit the work area nicely. It seemed like the loader and hood should have blocked the light, but the pattern was great. Below is a shot of the L3200 with lights mounted on the ROPS. The lighting was better than on the B7500 but there was another problem. I mow after dark sometimes. Dark + lights = bugs flying in the space I'd like to reserve for my face. How much after-sunset mowing depends on my schedule. One Spring it might have been May before I mowed in the daylight.
I'm about a week away from finishing a cab for the L3200 and have made provisions for mounting lights at the front/top of the cab. It will be interesting to see how that works. The lights came from our old plow truck at work. They are only a year old, but the truck was declared dead and we went with a new plow/lights/etc on one of the spare Tahoes. I'm hoping these lights throw a wide enough pattern to be useful.
herringchoker
Platinum Member
It's the stationary upright, like pedalstomper78 says. I like the way Notforhire mounted his lights in the picture above.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
Ive rented many excavators with lights mounted on the swing arms. i dont see why you couldnt mount some on the loader arms. however they would be subjected to abuse.
the excavators have shrouds mounted over the lights.
the excavators have shrouds mounted over the lights.
Scooby074
Super Member
I just mounted mine to my LED worklight to my ROPS. I mounted it on a "magnetic swivel" so I can use it in both directions. I intend on making another mount for the LH side and adding a forward and rear light that will not swivel.http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/266049-bx-led-worklight-upgrade.html
rubes2311
Bronze Member
I work with a guy who mounted his lights on his loader arms and he has never broken them from what im aware of. If you chose the right style of fixture they should just fold down if hit. He has put the lights on 2 of his tractors. They work great and he does snow removal with the tractor and fel
pedalstomper78
Gold Member
Neat setup scooby and well done. My only problem is that I would either need to go nuts with the pruners to get rid of tree branches or I would need to keep a few extra lights and brackets on hand. I already keep an extra lens or two for my hazard and tail lights as tree branches seem to collect them. LOL
rubes2311
Bronze Member
He uses these lights mounted on top of the loader arm not on the side so one of the only things that could hit them would be branches and as you can see the light hinges so it would just fold over
