JCB loadall headlight mod

[Longneck]

So I’ve just got a new grain bucket for my 541-70, it’s a 3m3 xform bucket and it’s great BUT it’s a lot taller than the previous bucket and as a result it totally obscures the headlights and indicators which is not great when going off to load lorries early morning/late evening in the dark.

looking at the stem things that the light fit to they are formed with a downward curve to keep them close to the fender. I wonder if these could be heated up and curved up to raise them above the top of the bucket.
Alternatively I wondered about fitting an extension plate on the end of the stem to raise them but that would need the wires extending as well.
Has anyone else encountered this problem? I spoke to JCB and they were aware of the issue (didn’t mention it when I ordered the new bucket?) but had no ideas of a possible solution.

 

[Banana Bar]

Lift the bucket, our 541-70was the same. New 542 is much better for this. To be fair I always drive on the road with the bucket in the air, always think what would happen to a motorcyclist if he caught the sharp wearing edge.

 

[The Son]

Speak martin @utvproducts i had a full set of worklights of him for our 541-70, don't need to bother with the main lights now.

 

[Longneck]

Lift the bucket, our 541-70was the same. New 542 is much better for this. To be fair I always drive on the road with the bucket in the air, always think what would happen to a motorcyclist if he caught the sharp wearing edge.

I never like the idea of having the bucket up in the air but I see your point.

 

[Longneck]

Speak martin @utvproducts i had a full set of worklights of him for our 541-70, don't need to bother with the main lights now.

I’ve already got LED work lights but I get flashed at if I drive with them on. But I agree, they do make the normal headlights look pretty pathetic

 

[Andrew]

So I’ve just got a new grain bucket for my 541-70, it’s a 3m3 xform bucket and it’s great BUT it’s a lot taller than the previous bucket and as a result it totally obscures the headlights and indicators which is not great when going off to load lorries early morning/late evening in the dark.

looking at the stem things that the light fit to they are formed with a downward curve to keep them close to the fender. I wonder if these could be heated up and curved up to raise them above the top of the bucket.
Alternatively I wondered about fitting an extension plate on the end of the stem to raise them but that would need the wires extending as well.
Has anyone else encountered this problem? I spoke to JCB and they were aware of the issue (didn’t mention it when I ordered the new bucket?) but had no ideas of a possible solution.

If the bucket is too big the front overhang may be illegal / need markers and it’s own lights anyway. Safest and most legal way is possibly on a trailer.

Failing that, those light arms are quite easy to bend. We have on occasion had bales fall on them and bend them to touch the mudguard. Just put the pallet tines on another forklift, put underneath and lift.

 

[Longneck]

If the bucket is too big the front overhang may be illegal / need markers and it’s own lights anyway. Safest and most legal way is possibly on a trailer.

Failing that, those light arms are quite easy to bend. We have on occasion had bales fall on them and bend them to touch the mudguard. Just put the pallet tines on another forklift, put underneath and lift.

No overhang on the sides, it’s same width as loader and it doesn’t stick out the front any worse than other bucket, it’s just the height that’s the problem. But yes, a trailer would be safest.
Think I will try to take off the light arms and try to reshape them first.

 

[UTV Products]

Hi - this a customer image of telehandler headlights if this helps see......

 

[Adeptandy]

Price ?

 

[UTV Products]

Price ?

£169 + vat per light. Free delivery. Back in stock mid next week. Road legal RHD

 

[UTV Products]

Part number UTV332

 

[4440]

Much safer to put the bucket on a trailer.

 

[Andrew K]

£169 + vat per light. Free delivery. Back in stock mid next week. Road legal RHD

Is that for driving on left side of the road please?

 

[meath suckler man]

Lift the bucket, our 541-70was the same. New 542 is much better for this. To be fair I always drive on the road with the bucket in the air, always think what would happen to a motorcyclist if he caught the sharp wearing edge.

A neighbour of mine was clearing snow in 2010, in his JCB 416,doing the community some good. A young girl, aged 6 or 7 was out playing in the snow, outside her house.
He didn't see her and scooped her up in the bucket, he was stopped some 3k from her house, she was fine just a bit shook up, he was a nervous wreck for a few months after. Lucky man he wasnt tipping the snow over the hedge.

 

[essexpete]

Not sure a telehandler should be driven down the road with the bucket/arm in the air. It has to be well up to get a reasonable view of the OS mirror. Down low with a guard if necessary or or attachment on a trailer.

 

[Banana Bar]

Not sure a telehandler should be driven down the road with the bucket/arm in the air. It has to be well up to get a reasonable view of the OS mirror. Down low with a guard if necessary or or attachment on a trailer.

Agree it’s not ideal but I think it’s the safest option. I’m not sure on the legality of towing a trailer on the road with a telehandler?

 

[fermerboy]

Lift the bucket, our 541-70was the same. New 542 is much better for this. To be fair I always drive on the road with the bucket in the air, always think what would happen to a motorcyclist if he caught the sharp wearing edge.

Coppers round here would charge you if caught running with loader up.

 

[4440]

The HSE recommend the removal of any bucket of the front of a loader that travels on the road.

Travelling with a tractor mounted fore-end loader or telescopic materials handler on the public highway: general guidance for safe operation - HSE

When on a public highway, the forks should be removed, folded back and secured or covered/protected by an appropriate guard.

www.hse.gov.uk

The law say that if your loader is classed as an agricultural vehicle and not permitted to to tow a trailer. It also say it can tow a trailer if it is only used of the of moving the buckets. Much like the combine and header trailer.

Tractors and regulatory requirements: a brief guide September 2017

www.gov.uk

 

[David.]

A neighbour of mine was clearing snow in 2010, in his JCB 416,doing the community some good. A young girl, aged 6 or 7 was out playing in the snow, outside her house.
He didn't see her and scooped her up in the bucket, he was stopped some 3k from her house, she was fine just a bit shook up, he was a nervous wreck for a few months after. Lucky man he wasnt tipping the snow over the hedge.

Good job it wasnt a snowblower