How to wire in a LED light bar on your Cub Cadet tractor.

My Cub Cadet finally has a real light in front. I show the complete way to wire a LED light to your tractor. The light bar used is found on Amazon, MicTuning MIC-5DP50, Mini - 50W Cree LED Lights Bar Combo Spot/Flood Beam. I think it's a very nice light. I sure can see where I'm going now. Thanks for watching!

[@Starkster50]

Excellent and the location probably works way better than the factory lights.

[@whopper2king]

Had this exact light laying around and had the same issue. Thanks for the video!

[@ISignedUpBefore]

Thanks for posting this! Very informative and it inspired me to do the same for my XT3. I may post the results too.

[@Mark-qq9cd]

Nice job. May have to do the same. Funny that I came across your video after a few evenings of me saying “these lights aren’t bright at all.” I basically have the same tractor.

[@L7Pro15]

You bought it last year.. man you keep it clean.

[@007connecticut]

It's garage kept. When I use it it's never in implement weather. I blow it off then back it in. When I'm done. Wipe it down sometimes with quick detailer.... Thanks!

[@gravelewok8284]

The light bar is a great edition. I plan on adding one to my Troy-Bilt T310 54" rider.

[@douglasdailey5998]

Nice job man, cool lights.

[@mikebenoit158]

You did a great job hooking up the light bar do you think they sell them at Harbor Freight

[@armand1574]

Awesome install, you gave excellent instructions. Thank you!

[@lumpyg63ipod]

Just wondered why you wouldn’t connect it right to the positive of the battery?

[@007connecticut]

Batteries are easy to get too, but I was thinking when I replace the battery down the road, it's a cleaner install with one less wire to connect.

[@lumpyg63ipod]

@@007connecticut true!

[@joshbeekman5474]

Any thoughts on a backup strobe/safety light bar tapped into the reverse part of the key?

[@007connecticut]

The shift linkage that works when you press on your foot as you back up in located on the rear axle (on top) If you pull the battery you can see it easily. But I think a switch there would get dirty and it may be prone to damage or fail prematurely in every day use. I think if I wanted a back up light would be just add another toggle on the dash then run your wires for the lights you want to use.

[@joshbeekman5474]

@@007connecticut you might be misunderstanding me. I'm looking for a strobe and a beeper so when I turn the key to reverse the PTO still cuts. I won't be used that except in the winter with my snow blade. I could shrink tube everything and I don't necessarily want to bypass any safety features. I'm running a craftsman t240. Thanks

[@007connecticut]

@@joshbeekman5474 Yeah I misunderstood what your asking. My machine has the push button (no key). If I want to override the PTO I have to push it again I believe (or it stalls the engine). But there is a switch on the axle (that's the pto cutoff switch on my machine) I don't know if they sell a strobe and beeper as a single unit, Might have to buy a strobe and a buzzer and wire them both in. However they make 12 volt fire alarms with the strobe and alarm built in. I put Abrams strobes on my snowblowers, they are real plow lights and they are very bright. They are 12V lights. Well good luck. Should not be to hard to install them. Do it before it gets too cold out.

[@joshbeekman5474]

Quick update: I directly wired it to the battery with a switch and fuse but also put disconnects on it. I even wired some battery clips separate with a fuse and disconnect so I can use it multiple ways. I'm starting with a simple flood light and plan to do a strobe light with the same disconnects. Great video!

[@Honestandtruth007]

@@007connecticut You are so Damn Funny 🤣 that your Lawn mower tractor Company design to give you Hell and miserable.... ...... Never heard people saying that...😂👍🤣

[@CLANSON]

Perfect and keen lighting solution!

[@buster.keaton]

Nice video. I agree, stock lawn mower headlights work about as good as candles.

[@Jeremy-iv9bc]

How did this work out? I’m wanting to do the same thing with my mower but I’m not sure if the charging system can handle the extra load. Do you have any issues with the battery going dead?

[@007connecticut]

It works fine. LED's draw so little watts that the machine don't even know it's hooked up. I'm connected off the battery but I suppose you can just tap the power off the hood. Either way it's a nice accessory. It makes it possible to use the machine after the sun sets (which is nice). Thanks for watching.

[@426superbee4]

yeah the factory head lights DO NOT THROW OUT ENOUGH LIGHT even with a up dated led light bulbs> I like where you mounted it > but what about brush hitting it ect. ? Afraid i'am going to have to add a battery

[@ridewot]

Need a back up light now !!

[@007connecticut]

And blinkers.....LOL

[@ryanlewis194]

007connecticut , I was gonna add some street glow yellow neon lights inside the front grill so yellow light will show through the hood air vents. Why not?

[@gunther955]

@@007connecticut Siren also ! lol

[@gunther955]

But you did do a good job on the wiring .

[@gwernette5971]

Everything about this video is great except for one thing. I would have put the lights on top of the bar so that tall grass and weeds and possibly even brush would not hit the light bar in take a chance of damaging it

[@007connecticut]

Maybe find smaller lights to fit inside grill? Thanks for watching

[@ivanalvarez5511]

I know this is from a while ago but can I ask why you wired the bar from the starter solenoid? Does that make it so then you can only turn the light on if the ignition switch is turned on?

[@007connecticut]

If I need to replace the battery, I won't be bothered with the light wires in my way. I thought it was a permanent spot where I would never have to touch it again. Off the battery would work of course.

[@ivanalvarez5511]

@@007connecticut ahhh, I see. Thank you for the quick reply and for the great video. I’ll be doing something similar, though with two small rectangular flood lights on my zero turn. Thanks again

[@onekittyhawk63]

My new 2020 Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro as LED lights. They're really bright and light up quite a bit in front of the tractor. I won't need them because I mow during the daylight hours. I do plan on installing an on/off switch on the dash. There's no need to run them in the daylight. I also like to make the decision if I want the lights on or off...not some manufacturer.

[@007connecticut]

I think it's does for safety or maybe a cost cutting feature, either way putting a switch on it is really easy to do, just cut the wire feeding the lights (under the hood). The added light I put was when it gets dark at 5:00 while I do leaves in the late fall.(later video I made of it) Thanks for watching!

[@HughesManHVAC]

This guy's neighbors hate him

[@billhunter8868]

Have you had problems with the exhaust melting the light?

[@007connecticut]

No. It has worked fine. The light and exhaust do not touch each other. I do use it for the fall season to drag leaves and stuff when it gets dark early.

[@MrPreacher8770]

iv been thinking about lights on mine, but for a fact im old and have NEVER mowed the yard after dark, so i dont see the point except to say it has lights

[@007connecticut]

When the time changes it dark at supper time. So sometimes I would go out and finish up by 6pm or so to mulch up leaves. I also would rake leaves in the morning before the wind starts blowing so that is the other reason of myself adding lights. I hear you of getting old. I'm starting to feel it myself.

[@brandongarnett5582]

Snowwww

[@sunnysacto]

Do I need to draw more amps for this upgrade? My 8 amps is near max from factory . How do I get more amps for upgrade?

[@007connecticut]

Take the + side right off the battery. Your tractor will never notice a led light attached to it. LED's draw very little power.

[@sunnysacto]

@@007connecticut New LED's arrived, 80 watts is over my mower amp max of 5 amps, but 6 amp should be ok

[@007connecticut]

@@sunnysacto 6 amp fuse will work or go 10A. So it will never blow

[@sunnysacto]

@@007connecticut What will blow? I'm low on power. Mower puts out 8 amps, 3 amps for battery charging. I assume I can use 1 amp from charging.

[@sunnysacto]

New 40 watt each bulb have Constant Currency LED Driver Transformer with overload protection. This should help on low power.

[@znovosad555]

Do you have any problems with the battery draining even with the switch off? Last time I tried to wire lights constant on a lawn tractor they killed the battery.

[@jerryfraelich6867]

Zach Novosad ?

[@HughesManHVAC]

Not a blade of grass on that lawn mower

[@evilman3d79843]

Right that son of a bitch is brand new and not one speck of dust on it, not a scratch or even a little scuff

[@firstnamelastname2468]

​@@evilman3d79843 so it's illegal to keep things nice?

[@zoe7657]

@@firstnamelastname2468 you assume to much.

[@firstnamelastname2468]

@@zoe7657 ok?

[@WyattHenry1MSubscribers]

nice cub cudet!

[@Stingingfork1]

I'm new to adding led light bars on anything but most of the pre-made wiring harnesses and light combos include a relay box but you wired yours direct to the battery source could you elaborate why some need a relay box and some don't? Btw, I tried to find your specific led light bar on Amazon but their not available, any other suggestions? Also thanks for this video, I just purchased the Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 a few months ago and currently I'm upgrading to add handles (they supplied them originally from the factory as a limited edition) on either side of my seat for stability on some of my sloped yard.

[@007connecticut]

A relay is a switch to protect your on off switch. All the high current running your lights will cook your little light switch on your dash. A simple way to wire a small light bar is to use an LED bar with draws almost no current and purchase a heavy duty dash switch that can handle 15A . Then put in line a 10A fuse so if the current for some reason spikes you will blow the fuse before hurting the switch. I wired my tractor off of the starter solenoid so the wires are out of my way. If I ever change the battery I won't be messing with additional wires on the battery post. Measure the area where you want to mount the light bar. (On mine it 's an out of the way place and as long as I don't drive it into a tree the light is in an excellent spot. Everything still works fine. I can also open the hood or remove the hood if needed) Then check Amazon for something small that draws less than 120 watts. Voltage X Amps = Watts. (12 volts X 10 amps = 120 watts.). Thanks for watching.

[@007connecticut]

The light I used is 11 1/2 inches wide to fit inside the bumper

[@007connecticut]

Use this one, 2 lights for 43 bucks www.amazon.com/Nilight-43235-181475-Lights-2-Mounting-Brackets/dp/B01N8OVJRC/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=11%22+light+bar&qid=1629303962&sr=8-5

[@Stingingfork1]

@@007connecticut It was a little dark in video and I couldn't tell where you mounted your brackets for your light did you mount them to the grill in front of the exhaust or by ditching the brackets and drilling through the brackets holding the bumper tube since the light appears to be a side mount? Thanks again for the responsive and very helpful comments...

[@007connecticut]

@@Stingingfork1 I drilled and tapped a fine thread and bolted mine directly to the bumper. When you get your light, that will give you a better opportunity to study where the mounts should go. You could pack it with washers if you need to if you bolt it to the bumper brackets. Also you could remove your bumper then work on your bench to mount your light. ( that's what I did)When you get the light mounted your going to love it. You can see where your going or just park it, flip the lights on and do a little work fixing something (bird feeders or planting a bush, I did both lol) in the yard and have great mobile lighting.

[@jackka82]

I am looking to buy the same model mower and love all your videos on it. I learn a lot from them :) Where can I buy the switch like the one you used here and the one you used in another video for the original headlights?

[@douglasdailey5998]

Yep time to give my ridding law mower a way job .

[@bundyho1]

So how is this setup holding up

[@007connecticut]

The tractor was used yesterday to cut my entire lawn. It runs fine with no issues. The added light is perfect. The mount is solid. The light is bright when used in the fall. I open the hood all the way to check the oil and the hood doesn't touch the light or bumper. The original equipment lights on the tractor are worthless. Now if I desire a light for evening use I can see all the way into the neighbors yard. Real lights on machines are important to me. Thanks for watching!

[@bundyho1]

007connecticut Thanks I'm thinking about getting this mower and I like the light setup you have.i just wanted to make sure it wasnt putting too much of a drain on your system .

[@erickmoyers7518]

why not just wire this into the existing lighting circuit? This way the lights all cycle together and eliminate the risk of forgetting to shut them off and thus draining the battery ... Not sure I'd use a true 50W lamp on a mower ... especially if the current draw is 5A, that's significant for a battery that small... Expected current draw is 4.166A, a 5A fuse is PERFECT for that, why would you double it and defeat the purpose of the fuse? So if the circuit gets overloaded instead of popping the fuse, it will just get hot and catch on fire...? Great idea, execution leaves a bit, especially to be using it as an instructional video. Get lower power LED's, tie into the existing circuit, don't exceed fuse specs. You can get reasonable lumen output for 12v LED's at less than 10W ... which puts you under an Amp.

[@007connecticut]

I wanted the light to be off the battery, not on when the engine is running. So I wired it like I did. The 10A fuse was because I don't want to pull the battery to change the fuse out if it did draw over 5A and pop the fuse. I didn't have any 7.5A fuses available. The fuse is only for protection from a short anyway. LED's draw so little current that the tractor battery will supply the power when I need it. If the engine can't generate enough electrical power to regenerate the battery it doesn't matter because I do have a trickle charger that I use on all vehicles and lawnmowers that are not driven daily. So when I back it in, I shut it down and plug it in. Though I haven't use it yet because it's still winter here, I think it's an awesome improvement over that worthless headlights that are original on the tractor. Thank you for your interest.

[@erickmoyers7518]

I gotcha! I was just reading the specs like Holy Crap! It looks good though, and I'm sure deer don't stand a chance lol I'd like to do something similar but I'm going for a little less elaborate. Good work!

[@larryfine4498]

Factory lights on most of these small tractors are wired to the ac side of the electrical system. Not good for leds

[@brendens5961]

depends on the mower. wired mine into the existing light circuit which is DC but was always on when mower was running so I added an additional switch. but I can just click the key over and run the light without the mower running as well

[@redblue40rc33]

got enough of gas cans????

[@okiemoto6114]

Good to be prepared!

[@007connecticut]

generator at the house. So I have 40 gallons and treat it with stabil . I also rotate the fuel if it's not burned in 6 months I pour it into my truck. Someone said if you lose power, just go to the gas station...I replied what if the gas station has no power?

[@CapeAnnImages]

Nice but I have to ask why? Mowing at night doesn't make for a happy neighborhood and if you attach a plow or snow blower the light bar is blocked and/or in the way of the hook-up!

[@007connecticut]

Leaves in the fall. It gets dark at 5pm

[@CapeAnnImages]

@@007connecticut I'm in Gloucester, Ma I mulch, good for the grass. The only time I use the tractor at night is to keep ahead of the snow fall with the plow. I have the XT1 I got in January and the LED factory lights are awesome .

[@007connecticut]

@@CapeAnnImages Hi neighbor! I work nights and always get up late in the day so I'm always fighting the sunset in the fall. I use a pair of snowblowers for snow removal. In my next life I want a tractor with heated cab and snowblower. The little cub is nice for a residential machine. So far no problems with it. Starts right up no matter the temp.

[@CapeAnnImages]

@@007connecticut My Ariens snowblower works great but with one major flaw, the handles are fixed, not adjustable. I use it hunched over and when done my back is toast. So I bought the Cub Cadet XT1 as my "back saver". The deep snowfall I use the snow thrower and clean up with the plow but for the 10" or less snow fall I just use the tractor. I work the overnight shift so yard work in daylight is no problem.

[@007connecticut]

@@CapeAnnImages sore backs, I know all about them. Perhaps in the spring you can look at the blower to see if something could be adjusted on it. Hell put bigger tires on it if you have too.

[@roberthenry99]

You now this you can upgrade your light on your tractor not the new ones the old ones☺

[@007connecticut]

The tractor has LED headlights but they shine in the air, not towards the ground. They are worthless

[@markdiloreto9042]

this is called "too much time on my hands"

[@jameslawnmowerrepair]

Go to a tractor supply

[@braddavis8591]

Your light is on crooked ,Just saying

[@007connecticut]

I aimed the light so it's not shining where I want it.