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3100 Lights

#1

D

dnrsslr

I would like to add light(s?) to my 3100 for blowing snow. I think I would use LED lights for lower power draw. I'm looking for some suggestions for how and where to mount them. (I don't have a cab or roll cage.) Has anyone else done this? Pictures?


#2

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

I thought they came on it, like in this picture: ventrac.jpg but I guess not. You might be able to buy one to install there. If not, I would suggest to put one below the steering column.


#3

D

dnrsslr

Yes, it does have a light there. It's not as bright as I would like. And, due to it's location, a lot of the light is blocked by the blower chute. Also, when the blower is raised, a LOT of the light is blocked by the blower itself.


#4

slammed

slammed

dnrsslr said:
Yes, it does have a light there. It's not as bright as I would like. And, due to it's location, a lot of the light is blocked by the blower chute. Also, when the blower is raised, a LOT of the light is blocked by the blower itself.
Click to expand...

That info would have helped the first poster. I would mount them on the blower some where.


#5

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

dnrsslr said:
Yes, it does have a light there. It's not as bright as I would like. And, due to it's location, a lot of the light is blocked by the blower chute. Also, when the blower is raised, a LOT of the light is blocked by the blower itself.
Click to expand...
Oh, OK. I get it.


#6

D

dnrsslr

I had two fears with mounting to the blower. Should I be concerned about these or not?
1. Will they lights hold up to the vibration of the running blower and the "shock" from when I drop the blower (I try to do it softly but there is a pretty good bang sometimes)?
2. If the lights are on the blower, they will likely get snow on them. Most lights would melt the snow so there would be no drop in visibility. I have heard, since LED lights are cooler, they would not melt the snow so the snow would start to block the light.


#7

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

dnrsslr said:
I had two fears with mounting to the blower. Should I be concerned about these or not?
1. Will they lights hold up to the vibration of the running blower and the "shock" from when I drop the blower (I try to do it softly but there is a pretty good bang sometimes)?
2. If the lights are on the blower, they will likely get snow on them. Most lights would melt the snow so there would be no drop in visibility. I have heard, since LED lights are cooler, they would not melt the snow so the snow would start to block the light.
Click to expand...

For your first concern, yes, there is a chance it could get vibrated off.
And for the second, that is true, the lights could get covered.
I am going to let more experienced people discuss ways to overcome these problems.


#8

slammed

slammed

dnrsslr said:
I had two fears with mounting to the blower. Should I be concerned about these or not?
1. Will they lights hold up to the vibration of the running blower and the "shock" from when I drop the blower (I try to do it softly but there is a pretty good bang sometimes)?
2. If the lights are on the blower, they will likely get snow on them. Most lights would melt the snow so there would be no drop in visibility. I have heard, since LED lights are cooler, they would not melt the snow so the snow would start to block the light.
Click to expand...

I'm no expert but what I have found is they hold up better then a standered bulb on the bumps and as far as keeping them clear I have no clue unless you can spray them with a ice shield like what you would us on your car windows.


#9

D

dnrsslr

Should lights be located above, below, in front of, or behind the driver? Or, am I just way over analyzing this?! See attached picture for kind of what I have in mind right now. The red line would be a piece of slotted angle iron maybe 24" long with the lights mounted at the ends. Any thoughts?

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#10

slammed

slammed

dnrsslr said:
Should lights be located above, below, in front of, or behind the driver? Or, am I just way over analyzing this?! See attached picture for kind of what I have in mind right now. The red line would be a piece of slotted angle iron maybe 24" long with the lights mounted at the ends. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

That would work or you could mount them on each side of the blower at the top or on top of the blower itself.


#11

R

Raw Dodge

I'd reconsider LEDs... Any snow application using LEDs will require you to constantly clean the lights... They don't generate enough heat to melt away the snow covering them... I won't use them on my salt spreaders.Snow builds right up over them.


#12

D

dnrsslr

Hmmmm..... thanks for the warning. I was leaning toward LEDs for two reasons: 1. Bright light and 2. Low amp draw for the amount of light I get. I'm hoping, if I mount them a distance away from the blower, there will be less snow blowing on them. And, I should be able to reach them from my seat to wipe them off if needed.


#13

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

dnrsslr said:
Hmmmm..... thanks for the warning. I was leaning toward LEDs for two reasons: 1. Bright light and 2. Low amp draw for the amount of light I get. I'm hoping, if I mount them a distance away from the blower, there will be less snow blowing on them. And, I should be able to reach them from my seat to wipe them off if needed.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it wouldn't be hard to wipe them off every once and awhile.


#14

R

Raw Dodge

If the lights are within easy reach, grab the LEDs... That is the only downside to them.


#15

D

dnrsslr

Thanks for all the input; that's why I enjoy this forum!

For clarity (pun intended) I actually have a Ventrac 3000, not the newer 3100 model as I listed in the original title.

It would still be interesting to see pictures from people who own a 3000 or 3100 and have actually mounted lights on them in some way.


#16

D

dnrsslr

How do I compare LED light options? There is a light on Amazon for $30.50 (plus shipping) that claims 1200 lumens. At Nothern Tool, they have a TruckStar DC LED Utility Light that says 375 lumens for $39.99. Will I really get three times as much light from the one on Amazon?

There might be a better place to ask this. If so, just let me know!


#17

JackIL

JackIL

I suggest you first get the ROPS and then put the lights near the top of it. That will provide plenty of elevation to prevent the blower and blowing snow from blocking the lighted area.


#18

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

JackIL said:
I suggest you first get the ROPS and then put the lights near the top of it. That will provide plenty of elevation to prevent the blower and blowing snow from blocking the lighted area.
Click to expand...

That wouldn't be a bad idea!


#19

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

I am assuming the ROPS would work on his mower. Would you have to get a bigger "roll cage" like in this picture?
ventrac w. rops.jpg
(http://www.itradedforit.com/pictures/listings/224_35.jpg)

I can't find a Ventrac 3000 with a normal ROPS bar like on the bigger Ventracs or ZTRs


#20

slammed

slammed

lawn mower fanatic said:
I am assuming the ROPS would work on his mower. Would you have to get a bigger "roll cage" like in this picture?
View attachment 9509
(http://www.itradedforit.com/pictures/listings/224_35.jpg)

I can't find a Ventrac 3000 with a normal ROPS bar like on the bigger Ventracs or ZTRs
Click to expand...

They would be like that in the pic.


#21

D

dnrsslr

Yes, a light on top of the "roll cage" would be great. Enlarge the picture on this link to see how this guy mounted his: My.Ventrac - Featured Fan Profile It's just kind of hard (impossible) to justify the roll cage just to mount the light higher. I was originally thinking of some kind of posts or bracket to get the light mounted high like that. Then, I thought if I would mount two lights, just a little higher but wider than the factory headlight, maybe I could get good results.


#22

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

dnrsslr said:
Yes, a light on top of the "roll cage" would be great. Enlarge the picture on this link to see how this guy mounted his: My.Ventrac - Featured Fan Profile It's just kind of hard (impossible) to justify the roll cage just to mount the light higher. I was originally thinking of some kind of posts or bracket to get the light mounted high like that. Then, I thought if I would mount two lights, just a little higher but wider than the factory headlight, maybe I could get good results.
Click to expand...

Both things you said would be good ideas!


#23

slammed

slammed

Let us know what you do. And post a pic of it when your done.


#24

D

dnrsslr

I bought my lights from ledstores on ebay. Just got them yesterday and got them installed last night. I haven't been able to blow snow with them yet but they are BRIGHT! If you are looking for LED work lights, I highly recommend them. Here is a link to the lights I bought:
2X 27W High Power LED Light Jeep Wrangler Offroad Folklift Komatsu Bow Fishing | eBay

As requested here are pictures:

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#25

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

dnrsslr said:
I bought my lights from ledstores on ebay. Just got them yesterday and got them installed last night. I haven't been able to blow snow with them yet but they are BRIGHT! If you are looking for LED work lights, I highly recommend them. Here is a link to the lights I bought:
2X 27W High Power LED Light Jeep Wrangler Offroad Folklift Komatsu Bow Fishing | eBay

As requested here are pictures:
Click to expand...

WOW they look really nice! And thanks for the pictures!


#26

D

dnrsslr

I changed the lights. I like the positioning better but they look a little odd. Or, maybe very odd!

IMG_20141108_161401011.jpgIMG_20141108_161333404.jpg


#27

R

Raw Dodge

I love LED lights, however sometimes with snow especially around a snowblower they get covered because they run so cool they don't give off enough heat to melt the snow off the lenses..if you don't run it for a long time, it won't be an issue..i think they will work great where you put them, function over looks everytime for me..


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