Work Lights on the CHEAP

[SethO]

I just installed this cheap work light. Total cost was about $25.00 the major part was the light set frm WalMart for $17.50, but it came with a switch and a fuse. The mounting was done with a length of 2X4 that I had laying around.

I did not want to drill into the ROPS, so the wood was clamped onto the ROPS. The lights can be rotated to face backwards. I mounted the switch above the seat on the ROPS.

SethO

 

[SethO]

A close up of one of the lights

 

[SethO]

The first picture did not post, here it is.

 

[Mrwurm]

I have drilled several small holes in my ROPS. I have heard many TBN members exclaim that they won't drill there ROPS for safety concerns. This makes me think... Most people are more than willing to drill holes in their floor joists for water pipes, gas pipes, electrical, cable, and phone lines. I regularly see floor joists like look like swiss cheese. Any thoughts ?

 

[SethO]

I think there are a number of issues

Most importantly in the event of a rollover, the ROPS may no longer the strong enough.

Secondly, the manufacturer may deny responsibility in the event of failure of the structure after an accident, claiming that the intergrity of the ROPS has been compromised.

Finally, and also related to the other point is that we do not know what amount of redundancy has been designed into the ROPS. In this era of cost cutting, I will not be suprised if it made just strong enough. Any drilling will reduce that strength and may result in failure.


SethO

 

[WVBill]

There are very clear specifications in engineering manuals about the size, location and number of holes permissible in floor joists. If folowed, drilling holes in floor joists is safe. Same applies to ROPS.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Yes, Bill. But where are those manuals that tell us where, what size and how many holes are acceptable in an ROPS?

 

[Nuru]

Yes that is what stopped me from drilling any holes in the ROPS the warning from JD about not drilling any additional holes. They essentially said that if I did that, then they are not responsible for a failure as I would be modifying the ROPS from stock, sooooooo...etc. Clamping is okay for me.

 

[rbarker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just installed this cheap work light. Total cost was about $25.00 the major part was the light set frm WalMart for $17.50, but it came with a switch and a fuse. )</font>

I used the exact same lights. They work great so far. I have a cab so they just bolted into pre-drilled holes on the roof lip.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( won't drill there ROPS for safety concerns. This makes me think... Most people are more than willing to drill holes in their floor joists )</font>

The main point, is theat there are multiple floor joists to carry the total load. Any single joist isn't doing 'all the work'.

You only have one set of rops on your tractor... I wouldn't be gambling on that... no backup.

Soundguy