Work Lights on a 790

Michigan_Mike · Sep 15, 2004

This is my first time posting, so please excuse me if I get the protocol wrong.
I want to add rear-facing work lights to my 790, and have a couple of questions regarding the Deere Work light kit.
Are they a good choice, or are there better products out there?
Has anyone installed them themselves, and how difficult was it?

bigpete · Sep 15, 2004

Hi, Mike. Welcome....

If it is the same as, or similar to, the rear work light installed on my 4110, it's as high quality as most aftermarket add-on lights I have seen. I remember seeing (somewhere) add-on lights that were rubber-clad and water-resistant with their own integral switch, which would be an improvement over the JD light for industrial use. You would have to devise your own mounting bracket, harness and connector, though. For normal use, you'll be fine with the JD. It's a complete kit.

I had the dealer install mine before delivery, but it appears there is very little to it. I believe the pigtail is already there (below the seat, above the PTO) and stock on the 4110--don't know about your machine, though. Sorry to only be 50% help. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

texastomtom · Sep 15, 2004

My tractor was supposed to come with them but did not. It is in the shop right now so they can install the light kits.

Looks very straightforward to me. The kit comes with the needed wiring and connectors. Simple bolt and nut and the flex tubing to protect the wires.

They work off the factory switch on the dash which has a position for headlights plus worklights. You could probably tap into the same wiring with aftermarkets though.

They 'look right' on the tractor which is why I wanted factory installed. Also buy using equipment made for your equipment you dont wind up running into some silly little difference like incorrect bolt hole sizing. I like stuff that works like it is supposed to.

One other note, In order to install the foward lights as the facctory would - my 4720 uses mounting holes on the OPTIONAL light guard kit for the forward facing lights.
If you are doing rear facing they bolt directly to the rops in the case of my tractor.

I think the guards were like 30 or 40 bucks.... You can find them on the web site for deere.

I would have done them myself but since the tractor was supposed to have them to begin with I'm not paying labor and they picked up and will deliver the tractor ( only 10 miles )

Good luck !!!!!
I'm sure either will work out for you just fine......

yellowsocks93 · Sep 16, 2004

Well I for one did not like the little circular shaped work light that Deere offers so I opted for KC High Lites mounted on the roll bar forward facing with KC covers. I used the 2 pigtails already installed on the rear end and got the extenders for them as used in the real light kit then wired my KC lights to them. I ran the wire down through the roll bar and since I did not want to drill holes I had a buddy bend 2 metal brackets for me. Looks pro. I should get a pic of of my work. And they are very bright for the night mowing. If you want to buy lights from your Deere dealer then get the Hobbs brand rectangular lights they are good we have them on our other tractor.

bigpete · Sep 16, 2004

<font color="blue"> Well I for one did not like the little circular shaped work light that Deere offers </font>

Mine is rectangular. It's a Deere part number. See attached pic

Michigan_Mike · Sep 16, 2004

Thanks everyone.
The picture Pete posted looks like the drawing on the JD parts site, and is the one I was considering.
Because I'm not mechanically inclined, I'm not sure I could modify other lights, or fabricate a bracket, so I'm leaning toward Deere equipment.
With that said, I will look at alternatives. Nick where did you get your KC lights?
I guess I should also get to the dealer and talk with them. They always seems willing to sell me something.

Thanks again.

Michigan_Mike · Sep 16, 2004

texastomtom,
Sorry, I should have mentioned that I will be facing them toward the back.
I'll use them while I'm plowing the snow off of my driveway at 5AM.
That's scary. Here it's only September, and i'm thinnking about snow.

yellowsocks93 · Sep 17, 2004

Yours is different Big Pete since you don't have a 70 or 90 series tractor. I had 2 of them factory mounted lights on my 4300 Speaker brand to be specific. They were good. But the kit for the 70 and 90 series consists of a small circular light which may be Hobbs. I just like the dual rectangular lights I have on the 990 or the rect. Hobbs on the 970 which are also very bright. They run about 30 bucks a piece.

bigpete · Sep 18, 2004

I thought that might be the case. Sometimes JD changes its sources, too. Mine are Speakers, for certain.

RobS · Sep 18, 2004

Welcome to the board Mike, and greetings from a fellow Michigander!

I added a Deere light to my 790. It's round and works well enough. Simple bolt on and plugs in under the seat. Looks factory. My only gripe is no switch on the light (only comes on with the dash switch in the work light position). I'm sure there are brighter lights but for night time snow work this works just fine. That's about all I use it for. Seems like it cost about $36 which is more than a similar light at TSC but that one didn't include the mating pigtail /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Nuru · Sep 19, 2004

If you are going to mount a flashing beacon, after market prices are very good. I have seen flashing/rotating/ halogen beacons for under $70

http://www.strobe-direct.com/Catalog/HalogenBeacons/Halogen_Beacons.htm#Pancake

rcmike · Sep 19, 2004

Does anyone know where you could get a connector that fits the factory one on a 4010(I assume it is similar to the others)? I don't really have a problem with cutting it off but it would be easier if I ever decided to remove them or something.

yellowsocks93 · Sep 20, 2004

I would check with your JD dealer as they can get them for you. I ordered my 2 from my dealership and the cost was like 5 bucks a extension.

Michigan_Mike · Sep 21, 2004

Thanks RobS.
I contacted my JD dealer, and they have both the worklight and the harness in stock. I'm going to stop by there this week to take a look. The price he quoted was $37 for the light and $5.01 for the harness. (I wonder how they came up with the extra penny.)

RoyJackson · Sep 21, 2004

Like RobS, I've the factory work light. Cost was about $38 which included everything.
I've had this light for about three years (swapped it from my 670 to my 790 when I traded up).
Installation takes about 5 minutes. The connector you plug into is under the seat. You need a combination or open ended wrench to tighten the nut. Tightening the nut is the toughest part since there isn't a lot of clearance between the tire and fender. Can't recall the wrench size, but I think it's 15 or 16 mm. Check this before installing the light.
If your usage is to plow your drive, the light is quite adequate. I had the hots to add a few more lamps..but not really necessary. Just aren't moving fast enogh to worry about more lighting. If I were going to plow on a public street (even a rural one), I would probably add more lights (and a strobe). The stock lamp, as others have stated, works off the light switch on the dash. Since you already own a 790, you know it's a multi-position switch. There are times I wish the work light was independent, since you cannot have the flashers on when the work light is on. For field use, no big deal...but on the rare occasions I'm on the road (while pushing snow), I'd like to have both the work lamp and flashers on. One of these days, I'll do something about that...

There's quite a few farms around my area. I've yet to see one of the tractors with more then two rear facing work lights. Most had only one, though. Most of the Deere's had the same light I had.

Michigan_Mike · Sep 22, 2004

Thanks Roy for the information.
I was wondering if one would be enough, but as I don't need to go onto a public road, I think I'll just add one for now. If during this winter, I think I need, (or just want) a second one, I'll add it then.

Michigan_Mike · Sep 27, 2004

Roy,
You were right.
It's a 15mm wrench size to attach it to the fender, and it's a bear. I could only get about a 1/4 turn before bumping into something. But, it only took about 15 minutes, and one knuckle to get it installed.
One other thing. It appears tht the "harness" is needed because the standard wires are just a bit too short.
Thanks to everyone for the help.