In praise of LED lighting for older tractors!

[littlefarmer]

I'm a still active farmer, doing 160 acres. I farm with a Farmall H and M, and an IH 1420 combine, and have replaced all the lighting (including the dash lights) with LEDs. And I just wanted to say how great the advent of LED lights for this older farm machinery has been. It has truly been a godsend.

I'm 69, and still remember the old incandescent filament bulbs. Yellowish light, light fixtures so hot you could barely touch them, and current draw that was at the limit of what the fuse in circuit could take.

Then along came LED retrofits for regular incandescent light bulbs. Probably twice the light, for 1/5 the current draw. It sure made things easier on these old tractor electrical systems! Last MUCH longer also.

I know---I suppose "traditionalists" will counter that LED's are more expensive than the old filament bulbs, and that they need a 12 volt system, but the advantages are truly phenomenal. Especially for somebody like me, who often has to do night work (because of a day job).

The only drawback is if you still have and want to keep a 6volt system. Do they make LED's for 6volt?

So---what do you guys think? I know our dads and grandads would have definitely approved of LEDs!

 

[Farmall m farmer]

I agree with you on the leds but when your driving across the field late at night working thinking about all the people who worked there hole life on that tractor in my opinion incandescent bulbs kind of transport you back in time to when those tractors were new but for any practical work leds are miles ahead

 

[stdsch40]

Truly amazing and I say that with complete sincerity . I mean that you can keep those antique tractors working doing chores on a farm. And that by putting modern LED lighting on them it makes you happy. Good lighting is a Godsend for many reasons and purposes. Got any pictures of the H and M?

 

[Russ from MN]

I was discing a field one night because I wanted to get it done before it rained, and when I got done it was pretty dark. The lights on that IH 340U were so poor I wasn't sure which way to turn to get home!

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

LEDs are truly a miracle, we got a flourescent tube fixture over the sink that I replaced the lamp in several times over the years. Never was really bright. A few months ago it went south again so I went to get a new lamp and just happened to see a LED replacement for just a few bucks more so I bought it because of my prior experience with LEDs. Wow what a difference 3 different settings for what type of light you want and at least 3 times as bright. Nothing but LED replacements from now on everywhere.

 

[Dingo3]

LEDs in my shop and all the light fixtures in the house. Bright, last a long time and smaller electric bills. What’s not to like. I do have a heat lamp under my sink in the unheated garage to keep the pipes from freezing though.

 

[JimKS]

I'm a still active farmer, doing 160 acres. I farm with a Farmall H and M, and an IH 1420 combine, and have replaced all the lighting (including the dash lights) with LEDs. And I just wanted to say how great the advent of LED lights for this older farm machinery has been. It has truly been a godsend.

I'm 69, and still remember the old incandescent filament bulbs. Yellowish light, light fixtures so hot you could barely touch them, and current draw that was at the limit of what the fuse in circuit could take.

Then along came LED retrofits for regular incandescent light bulbs. Probably twice the light, for 1/5 the current draw. It sure made things easier on these old tractor electrical systems! Last MUCH longer also.

I know---I suppose "traditionalists" will counter that LED's are more expensive than the old filament bulbs, and that they need a 12 volt system, but the advantages are truly phenomenal. Especially for somebody like me, who often has to do night work (because of a day job).

The only drawback is if you still have and want to keep a 6volt system. Do they make LED's for 6volt?

So---what do you guys think? I know our dads and grandads would have definitely approved of LEDs!

View attachment 102374

 

[JimKS]

I saw 6v replacement bulbs on Ebay
Jim Ks

 

[J Wendt]

I was discing a field one night because I wanted to get it done before it rained, and when I got done it was pretty dark. The lights on that IH 340U were so poor I wasn't sure which way to turn to get home!

I agree, you had to know which all night yard lights belonged to who and we had enough hills and contours to get lost. Still get a little confused some times at night combining until you see the truck on the end.

 

[jwal10]

When we got the motor home, I changed it all out to LED's. Inside and outside. Same automotive style bases. I bought in bulk and were less than $0.50 each. I had extras and used in all sorts of uses. We have lived off-grid since Y2k and everything is 12v and LED. Things have changed very quickly in 8 years. Table lamps are USB now. Many different styles and bases. Even our new refrigerator is powered and charged by USB. Yes, it has a battery built in. Can use in cabin, van, or at the beach, carry it anywhere....James

 

[Bob Bancroft]

I'm a still active farmer, doing 160 acres. I farm with a Farmall H and M, and an IH 1420 combine, and have replaced all the lighting (including the dash lights) with LEDs. And I just wanted to say how great the advent of LED lights for this older farm machinery has been. It has truly been a godsend.

I'm 69, and still remember the old incandescent filament bulbs. Yellowish light, light fixtures so hot you could barely touch them, and current draw that was at the limit of what the fuse in circuit could take.

Then along came LED retrofits for regular incandescent light bulbs. Probably twice the light, for 1/5 the current draw. It sure made things easier on these old tractor electrical systems! Last MUCH longer also.

I know---I suppose "traditionalists" will counter that LED's are more expensive than the old filament bulbs, and that they need a 12 volt system, but the advantages are truly phenomenal. Especially for somebody like me, who often has to do night work (because of a day job).

The only drawback is if you still have and want to keep a 6volt system. Do they make LED's for 6volt?

So---what do you guys think? I know our dads and grandads would have definitely approved of LEDs!

View attachment 102374

I guess 6V LED's are available now. A few years ago I got a Case VAC from a friend. I kept it 6 volt as everything worked. I wanted to put on LED lights but couldn't find 6V at the time. I find a little unit on line which gave me 12 volts from the 6. So I have that and three LED lamps!

 

[littlefarmer]

Truly amazing and I say that with complete sincerity . I mean that you can keep those antique tractors working doing chores on a farm. And that by putting modern LED lighting on them it makes you happy. Good lighting is a Godsend for many reasons and purposes. Got any pictures of the H and M?

I can get some pictures, but there's nothing special about them. They're still working girls (I use the M for all my planting. The H for general chores around the place). So they're not dented rust buckets, but by no means are they show tractors either. Just your typical "working tractor".

 

[littlefarmer]

I agree, you had to know which all night yard lights belonged to who and we had enough hills and contours to get lost. Still get a little confused some times at night combining until you see the truck on the end.

Agreed. I've done quite a bit of combining at night, and even in a familiar (in the daylight) field, it's surprising how easily in the night dark it can become rather disorienting really fast. LED's on my 1420 have super-helped with seeing way ahead.

 

[littlefarmer]

I was discing a field one night because I wanted to get it done before it rained, and when I got done it was pretty dark. The lights on that IH 340U were so poor I wasn't sure which way to turn to get home!

I remember combing nights with my IH 303. Came close several times to almost crashing in to the barb wire fence at the end of the field, when coming to the end of a round.
The last year I used that 303, I had it switched over to LED. It was literally like the difference between night and day!
Also---there were times when I could smell the wires getting hot. And feel the heat from the lighting switch. As I said in the original post, these old incandescent bulb systems drew power at the max the system could handle.

 

[caterpillar guy]

I just added a couple Leds to my 806 and put a short light bar across the front of the 1466. Boy I can see across the half mile long field with them. I put just regular samll Leds on the 806 mounted on the front corners of my sow plow bracket at the bottom of the grill. I can get the grill out with them on there. Same with the light bar on the 1466 it is above the grill and can be gotten out with the lights left on. I also wired them into the original switch with the original lights . I would need to look at the switch to remember how I did it now. I want to get the lights on the 856 working and will ad some LEDs to that. Those old incandesent lights appear like candles in comparison.

 

[Mcrafty1]

LED's are great for farm equipment, and motor vehicles if you are behind them, but I find them very blinding when you are meeting them on the two lane. But they are so much better for the drivers visibility I guess the law allows them, they are everywhere now, I believe new vehicles come with them a standard equipment now. For me at least it's like every vehicle that I meet doesn't bother dim their lights. Admittedly I'm likely more sensitive to light than most.

 

[RJKeith]

LED's are great for farm equipment, and motor vehicles if you are behind them, but I find them very blinding when you are meeting them on the two lane. But they are so much better for the drivers visibility I guess the law allows them, they are everywhere now, I believe new vehicles come with them a standard equipment now. For me at least it's like every vehicle that I meet doesn't bother dim their lights. Admittedly I'm likely more sensitive to light than most.

LED lights are like mini lasers pointing directly into your eyes. The automakers focus on energy efficiency of the light, so they are trying to get the most lumens per watt, with a very high, and harsh color temperature. What would help is if they shined the light back into the car, then reflect it back onto the road. It is marginally less efficient, but greatly would improve visual comfort. A lower color temperature would help as well.

 

[littlefarmer]

LED's are great for farm equipment, and motor vehicles if you are behind them, but I find them very blinding when you are meeting them on the two lane. But they are so much better for the drivers visibility I guess the law allows them, they are everywhere now, I believe new vehicles come with them a standard equipment now. For me at least it's like every vehicle that I meet doesn't bother dim their lights. Admittedly I'm likely more sensitive to light than most.

I agree. Great for farm equipment and off-road stuff.
NOT so good when you meet a car on the highway. Just like you, I also am blinded by them.

 

[Keith True]

LED's are made in 6 volt.I have three Model A Fords,and every bulb in them are LED's.All are 6 volt,and I will never go back to oxcart lights.You HAVE to be fussy about aiming them.I have a relative that just retired from a career as a police in a small town.While he says the new lights can be a pain,what he has found was the fact that people holding their cell phone up to their left ear can't reach down to hit the switch for their high beams.

 

[mrslesq]

I'm a still active farmer, doing 160 acres. I farm with a Farmall H and M, and an IH 1420 combine, and have replaced all the lighting (including the dash lights) with LEDs. And I just wanted to say how great the advent of LED lights for this older farm machinery has been. It has truly been a godsend.

I'm 69, and still remember the old incandescent filament bulbs. Yellowish light, light fixtures so hot you could barely touch them, and current draw that was at the limit of what the fuse in circuit could take.

Then along came LED retrofits for regular incandescent light bulbs. Probably twice the light, for 1/5 the current draw. It sure made things easier on these old tractor electrical systems! Last MUCH longer also.

I know---I suppose "traditionalists" will counter that LED's are more expensive than the old filament bulbs, and that they need a 12 volt system, but the advantages are truly phenomenal. Especially for somebody like me, who often has to do night work (because of a day job).

The only drawback is if you still have and want to keep a 6volt system. Do they make LED's for 6volt?

So---what do you guys think? I know our dads and grandads would have definitely approved of LEDs!

View attachment 102374

Several decades ago I finished planting a field after milking with my 1946 JD A and a JD 490 corn planter. My brother drove alongside with his car so I could see where I was going. I could have used LEDs that night!