Posted by karl f on September 18, 2008 at 14:15:06 from (209.188.106.159):
In Reply to: Re: Loader lighting posted by Chris in SK on September 18, 2008 at 09:36:27:
depending where you live, using it even a little will require lights, as in the winter time there are only a couple hours of daylight in some places. Chores and hay customers, for example do not seem to just occur during daylight, and in good weather.
for safety on the road, you pretty much need lights, even in daylight. It's about being seen by others, not so much for your own eyes' sake. strategically placed reflectors or reflective tape help oncoming traffic see just how big you are, as they highlight your extremeties when placed like they are on current production machines. Tractor lights are deceiving to oncoming traffic because they are not placed predictably like auto lights. It is easy for a car or pickup driver to mistake you being further away or smaller than you really are. Even I (been around farming for 28 years)have been confused as to what i'm approaching at night judging by the headlights in the distance until i approach closer within about 100 feet and can see the tractor outline. Fortunately I know to slow down, think, and be safe until i know i can resume. However, slow thinking, quick acting drivers might try unsafe maneuvers if they assume they are passing an ATV or UFO, like the unsafe passing of a motorcyclist in the center of the road. That is the auto driver's fault for sure, but if your shadows are visible, they may not consider such stupid driving. maybe...
Even if it is daylight, if the weather is bad, visibility is gonna be poor, and if you are fulltime farming or agricultural activities somehow are your business, you cannot wait on the weather; You'll be on the road to do what you need to do if it's at another location. There are only so many tasks that can stay in the yard. For some of us, staying on our homestead we still have to travel on the road because the road just happens to cross through. There is a saying about more vehicle accidents happen within a couple miles of home than away from home, so with those odds adequate visibility to traffic will be wise.
My original goal with this topic was to offer an idea about improving loader visibility and road safety and to promote discussion about safety and visibility. I think we're on track. It's a balancing act making a tractor's lights job focused and roadable as tractor lighting has traditionally been very marginal in design, location, and function. I also want others to consider protecting theirselves from a legal battle if you have a traffic mishap and the other guy's lawyer gets you on a technicallity because of a 20$ light or damaged reflector.
Tractor lighting and traffic safety is important, but often overlooked. It's hard to keep up on all the other activities and repairs going on and make sure the lights and reflective items are at 100% too. I also hear gossip of the day coming where if you are on the road with light/visibility equipment failures on your farm equipment the officers will ticket. They've been hitting the pickup trucks with trailers pretty hard in more recent years.
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