TO-35 Work (Plough) Light

[B. L. Miller]

I am still facing a common dilemma to those of us restoring Ferguson tractors. Determining just what style lights I should use on my 1960 TO-35. To my surprise, when I removed an old layer of paint and accumulated rust from the old headlights I found a very usable chrome finish. I had already purchased painted repacement lights, including a worklight, which I quickly set aside because of the beauty the chrome lights added to the tractor. My problem now is trying to find a matching chrome work light or another full chrome headlight that I can use as a worklight. According to a paper prepared by Phil Fenner, re. Ferguson Lights, the original lighting kits would have provided matching lights for both headlights and work light. The original headlight has an oval, or oblong, body with a double-clamp Bezel to hold the sealed beam bulb. I can only assume the work light would be similar in shape but would include a switch. I have contacted several online parts outlets without any luck. I am including a picture of my 35 as it is presently. Some of you, with your advice, have helped move this project along and I thank you all. Can anybody help with this problem?

 

[retired farmer]

If those are the original in the picture, they look just like the ones I got on the 2290 Case. Got them at Harbor Freight if I remember right.

 

[Richard L]

B. L. are you saying those lights on that tractor were originally all chrome? I always thought just the bezel was chrome. I do not remember seeing or hearing about all chrome housings.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Why worry abou the lights when they never came from the factory as chromed and also why worry when the grey paint on the tractor body isn't correct. Just enjoy the tractor that otherwise looks pretty good.

 

[maxwell99]

Your tractor looks great, its hard to take them to the field when they look that good and you have done so much work on the tractor.

My tractor is a 1957 TO-35 original paint was cream and gray
later painted red and gray

the lights on my tractor have chrome rings around the headlights. Originally it had a rear work light just like one of the headlights.

head lights have chrome rings, but the light body was painted the color of the tractor.
reason that i painted them red when i painted the tractor red.

I think the lights look more original painted the same color as the tractor with chrome rings.

just my two cents.

Installed the yellow blinkers as i am on the road some to the other farm and cars will try to run over you big time.

 

[2tractors]

Someone did a superb job on the paint, nice job!!

 

[B. L. Miller]

Richard L - I can't disagree with you about these being all chrome. The Phil Fenner report, I belive explains this possibility. He found that the light package was not Standard Equipment on the TO-35 but was added by the dealers if wanted by the buyer. The reason for the differing light packages is that dealers would install what they had in stock. This, of course, may not have always been a Ferguson light package. This explanation sounds very plausible since there seems to be no other positive answer.

 

[B. L. Miller]

Maxwell99 - Thanks for the kind words. Your lights match what came as the original light kits for our tractor according to Phil Fenner. He also indicated that light kits did not come installed by the factory but were added by the dealers as optional equipment. He also said that the dealers would sometimes use other light kits they had in stock. I also find this to be an acceptable explanation for mine being different. I now have to decide, do I restore to "Original" or to "Original Design". Again, thanks for the input and picture, Brian

 

[B. L. Miller]

2tractors - I must confess, I have a good friend who loves this kind of work and he would give me a very disapproving look whenever I reached for the sandpaper. I was permitted to participate in dismantling and reassembly. I will try to add a couple of progress pics I took with my friend and my son hard at work. Thanks again for your comeback - Brian

 

[B. L. Miller]

We agree about the lights not coming from the factory with all-chrome light kits. In fact, Phil Fenner found that the 35's, if they had lights, they were installed by the dealer after arrival from the factory. He also stated that some dealers may have even installed other light kits they had in stock instead of the Ferguson light kit. I find this plausible since these lights certainly had all the evidence of being original equipment. As for the shade of gray I used, the paint came from our local MF dealer and it matched what was on the tractor as well as being the paint code provided in the Parts book for the "1960" Ferguson. You may have this Flint Gray confused with the lighter gray used on the pre-1955 Fergusons. Thanks for the input, Brian

 

[B. L. Miller]

Retired Farmer - I am going to look online and see what I can find. You may have solved my problem. Thank you, thank you Brian

 

[Richard L]

B. L. you are correct that right from the beginning (except for when Harry was at the Ferguson USA plant) the TO Grey Fergies did not have lights installed on the tractors at the factory except for media coverage. So I can imagine if a dealer could find less expensive lights to use when a owner wanted lights they would go that route to help the dealership make more money. I have the light visors on my TO 30 which are not correct for the TO 30 but I like them & they will stay on.

 

[samn40]

Very nice tractor. I can understand where johnpop is coming from about the grey colour. The flint grey you used is a flat colour and not metallic? If so then it is a British colour. The 1960 35 may have been painted this colour or more commonly Stoneleigh grey.
Sam .....Good luck with your lights

 

[B. L. Miller]

Sam Your tractor is also a real beauty. I see a significant difference in the gray color between yours and mine. Is yours a show piece or a working tractor? I am far from an expert so I can't explain the difference either. Thanks for the response and the picture, Brian

 

[B. L. Miller]

Sam, I am sending along a second picture, taken with different lighting, to see if the gray color appears different. I noticed the picture you attached of your tractor was taken with sunlight instead of a flash. Do you see a difference in both the gloss and color? (hydraulics are not yet complete in this picture) Brian

 

[B. L. Miller]

Sam, For some reason the picture didn't upload. I am trying again. Brian

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

From what I've researched, all TO tractor lighting kits were supplied by CM HALL, Detroit, MI and later shortened to HALL LAMP. Lights were never factory installed -dealer options. I have a set of retsored headlights and one worklight, which is just a headlight with a switch installed. Email me if interested...

Tim 'PloughNman' Daley(MI)

 

[B. L. Miller]

I still have the painted headlights and work light (with a switch) that I purchased as replacements. I was simply trying to find another chrome light to match the headlights that I was able to restore. From what I also found out, lights were not installed on new tractors at the factory. The lights on my 35 must have been a kit the dealer had in stock and were not originally intended for a Ferguson. I expect I will install the after-market light I have and keep my eyes open for another chrome light. Thanks for the offer. Brian