lighting for combine/tractor

I am planning to add a removable light bar for my combine and 4wd tractor. I'm thinking of probably 6, but maybe only 4 flood lamps, and a strobe light or revolving beacon.

A few years ago, my choice of lights would have been fairly limited to halogen lights, but now with HID and LED lights getting cheaper, these lower amp draw lamps (for the same lumens) are an option... And to be honest, lower amp draw is a good thing, i really don't want to upgrade the alternator on the combine to cope with more lights.

So, which is better? HID or LED? Good quality lights of both types appear to be similar in not only price, but light output... But does one type throw a better pattern?

Any one have either type on machines they run (i have driven a combine with HIDs i was very impressed - that's partly why i'm going to upgrade the lights on my machine)?

Thanks for comments and help. oj

I run a ford fw60 that 2 of the four rear lights were bad and was in the same situation on choosing lights, I replaced all four with LED lights but still have old style lights on front of tractor, from watching the tractor from another field it looks like little flashlights going one way and stadium lighting the other. The LEDs are a whiter light and so much better also volt gauge only goes down half as much as having all the old lights on. Im not sure but I think the HID lights draw quite a bit also.

What prices are you seeing on these LED lights?

For the price difference, you could easily justify upgrading to a 1 wire alternator and using cheaper fixtures. What amp rating is your alternator, and what is drawing from it right now?

Also, instead of going to a 1 wire alternator, most of these older 10si and similar common alternators can be bought with upgraded amperage from auto parts stores. I think the 10si was available from 35 to 65 amp, depending on application. Most of those are around $40.


That's what I did with my last combine when I went from 2 factory lights, to 7 higher wattage halogen lights. In this picture the lights are dim because I was fooling with the lights all day, battery was around 10 volts with the lights on.





each light is 55 watts, which, at 12 volts, draws just a shade over 4.5 amps each. 7x4.5=31.5 amps.

Since the combine was originally equipped with a 35 amp alternator, I installed a 60 amp alternator for $45. With no other real current drag on the system, I had a net gain in available amps more than the difference between stock and modified.


So, basically, if you know what you have(should be in the owners manual under specs) and you know what alternator type you have, it wouldn't be much to spend more on something that allows for future expansion in other areas as well, instead of having high priced fixtures.


Also, before I forget... The fixtures I installed on that combine were bought at Harbor Fright for $7.99 each including the bulbs. That was a dollar more than napa charged me just for the bulbs. I should have taken a picture of the grain head from inside the cab at night. I could see every gnat and mosquito in the field. lol

both the tractor and the combine have alternators around 80 amps (i think). the tractor runs 2 halogen flood light front and rear, the combine has 4 hella 110 watt flood lamps (double 55 watt bulbs), as well as lights in the grain tank and unload auger... Combine and tractor lights via relays... combine actually has good lights, just the spread pattern isn't great (hence possible 6 lights)

i do have an ongoing charge problem on the combine, charge light shows at night with lights on... alternator is ok according to the tester at my local auto electric place... i think it's a wiring issue somewhere, but if combine runs lots at night, morning starts become an issue, so lack of charge somewhere... lights on the combine draw about 55-60 amps all told, so the 80 amp alternator should be ok...

what combine and what 4wd tractor are you trying to light up?


make/model/etc...


I can find out for sure what you have and what alternator.


If you are making a bar to transfer, what is your method of transfer? Are you mounting on angle iron? old baseball bat? used shoes?

you have to factor in the cost of plug-in and all that.

I'd like to research what you have.

I could make a nice recommendation.

Im running i think 25 or 29 watt leds on both tractors and combine they are round with 9 leds in them great for flood lights got 3 leds and 2 100 watt normal spotslights on the roof of a 9600 combine all running off one relay and 1 led on the back shining out behind that i just spliced in to the parking lights. On the tractor ive got 2 100 watt spotlights on roof and 2 leds down the front on the weight block just spliced the leds in to the high beam wire for head lights. Mine are cheap Chinese ones off ebay i think $20 for a box of 25 me and a mate went halfs in a box and i like them so much i ended up getting another box. Got them on pickup for work lights over tray. Great flood lights very bright dont use any power and ive had them or the tractor for 2 yrs now with no problems. Hids are good to both in spot and flood beams but they do suck more power than leds i think. make sure that the flood lights are out in front because they will make a lot of glare if they shine on the bonnet or something. on moonlight nights or in the twilight leds are not as good as the light is so white. The night pic is of a 4955 with 2 flood hids on it so you can see the difference in light quality to the stranded ones and the 2nd pic you can see where i mounted my leds down beside the headlights

Claas 106 combine, and a MF 3670 tractor, planning
a light bar, made of either angle iron or square
steel tubing or a combination of both... planning
to have brackets mounted to both machines, then
just transfer the bar across and bolt it on... i
figured a plug in like a trailer socket would work
well...

I am leaning towards HID just because i've seen
them in action.

We just added some of the JD led lights and they do a awesome job. They were easy to install and low amp draw. Boy they throw the light.