LED's On a grader... I need help!

[julietbravosierra]

Hello all, Well I have been tasked with designing a basic, yet very effective lighting package for a grader... yes, a 17 ton champion grader. The grader is used by a state ATV club for trail grading. The trail that is graded is mostly straight (just slight curves pretty much) BUT there are several ( about 6 or 7 come to mind) road crossings. I pretty much have an idea in mind of what I want to do, but i wanted to get some more opinions. Anything will be a step up from the bubble gum machine you see on top LOL.


So keeping in mind that this machine needs to be seen from a long ways away, and must have good side warning, I wasnt sure yes mini bar, or no mini bar. I'm planning on using all my own products. most likely the 6LED surface mount light. but since I don't have all my products available yet, since im finishing up my website, If you just tell me what you think would be appropriate, I'll use my equivalent. If absolutely necessary, I can use SOS, whelen, or federal signal as well. Here are some pics of the actual grader, and the side view isnt the actual grader, but its set up the same way. Thanks for your help!

 

[JohnMarcson]

If you have to use LEDs use big amber ones spaced as far apart as possible and flash them slow... think school bus. What I would do is toss a halogen rotator on it too.

 

[JediTalen]

Is the grader used for snow removal? If so you may want to skip the LED's and stick with halogens, as they make enough heat to keep themselves clear under all but the worst conditions.


So anyway, If I were doing this I'd start on to with a Code3 420 minibar in amber, a pair of PAR36 amber flashers (led or Halogen) at the base of the windshield facing forward, another pair on the back, replacing the uppermost red lights in the photo. I'd mount a set of headlights out on the nose with yet another set of PAR36's below them. Surface mounts on either side of the neck just behind the nose plate (I'd use a pair of Linz 6's mounted one above the other and about 12' apart) then another surface mount about every 5-6' right down the side of the machine.

 

[NPS Ranger]

Some big badass surface mount amber LED's, like an M9 or Quadraflare, mounted on the sides at the extreme front and rear, for road crossings. Wide angle optics, not TIR's. And a halogen rotator like a Sentry on top, with a brush guard. That's it. No more. And drive with your front & rear worklights on.

 

[kitn1mcc]

first i would get all the Factor lights working. they may already flash. and would ass plenty of warning power.


i would go with mini freedom


also maybe some linz6 mounted on both ends


you may be able to pick up a decent used full size edge

 

[twodogs603]

I have a NOS Whelen Centurian mini bar in amber, never been installed if your interested.

 

[jprleedy4680]

Call me crazy...but I think one...maybe two FedSig Model 14 sealed-beams would be a good fit for the roof.


Add a pair of Grote? LED flashers mid-level to the rear; two on the front of the cab, two on the rear of the cab, and maybe a pair on the most forward part of the unit angled out for trail intersections.

 

[MEVS06]

I have three amber mini bars for sale at the moment. A 28" Edge with TDs and ALs and two 420s. Let me know if your intrested.

 

[C420sailor]

Mini freedom would rock and be cheaper and much easier than putting surface mount LEDs all over it. That's if you're set on LED. A mini rotator bar would be even cheaper and very effective.

 

[julietbravosierra]

Thanks for the tips everybody! I don't know, I had envisiOned about 4 big surface mount LED's on each end, 2 down low and 2 of them on top of the cab. Then at least 2 on each side. The club is on a budget so of the setup will cost enough, they'll have to put in for a grant= PITA. I like the idea of a mini bar in addition to the surface mounts... :undecided:

 

[julietbravosierra]

Does anybody know what LP for the 23"century mini bar w/permanent mount is? It's not in my list since its so new. I'm thinking I'm going with that, 2 surface mounts down low to front and 2 down low to back, and maybe 1 each side at the front facing sideways for intersection. Sound reasonable?

 

[Shawn L]

the city here puts 3 360 degree lights on theirs , one out on the front of the grader, furthermost forward, usually a 360 strobe or led beacon (with a flash sheild on it so it wont shine back to the operator) a dual rotator or led mini lightbar on the roof, and a dual rotator or led mini lightbar on the back hood (same flash sheild idea as the front so its only rear and side warning as to not blind the operator )


the graders like this have a great foot print from the side and they have plenty of light to the rear and front with 2 levels of lighting. it simple and easy on one grader the lights are magnetic with hard wired plugs so they can leave the grader out along the road and not worry about theft

 

[dcarrfire45]

:iagree:

 

[BackYardSales]

The club is on a budget so of the setup will cost enough, they'll have to put in for a grant= PITA.

If they're on a budget, why run their costs up? Two lamp rotators can be had for cheap. Either halogen or sealed beam will be more effective and more visible than LEDs or strobes. Vibration might be an issue on motors and gears though, but they've been used on road construction equipment for decades.


Keep it cheap and you might be able to do it as a donation in exchange for some advertising.

 

[kadetklapp]

If it's used by an ATV club and not a .gov agency I see no reason to spend any more money on it really. Maybe put some TIR4 type light heads at the front end (one on each side) and install a four-bulb Grote beacon on the roof of the cab.

 

[julietbravosierra]

If it's used by an ATV club and not a .gov agency I see no reason to spend any more money on it really. Maybe put some TIR4 type light heads at the front end (one on each side) and install a four-bulb Grote beacon on the roof of the cab.

I've made up my mind. I'm going to get one of you to sell me a dual rotator bar or something of the sort, and I have a couple grote recess mount quad flash LED's for the front, and a traffic advisor for the back. That should make a decent setup

 

[julietbravosierra]

If they're on a budget, why run their costs up? Two lamp rotators can be had for cheap. Either halogen or sealed beam will be more effective and more visible than LEDs or strobes. Vibration might be an issue on motors and gears though, but they've been used on road construction equipment for decades.

Keep it cheap and you might be able to do it as a donation in exchange for some advertising.

You know, that's not such a bad idea