Headlight Mowing at Night?

[DonMountain]

I have a 1959 International Cub Low-Boy with a 59" mower deck that we use for mowing the grass. The Cub still has all the original 6 volt electrical system and lights including two headlights and the same type of light in the back looking at trailing implements. Its been so hot here in Mid-Missouri that we are contemplating mowing at night with the lights on, which may take 4 or 5 hours at a time to do several acres. My question is, does the original generator on this machine put out enough power to run the lights constantly and keep a charge on the battery with the engine running full speed for mowing?

[tmays]

If all your components are in good working order, then you’ll be okay. IF you know the area, which I assume you do. But this is where 12V conversion shines pun intended. Lol

[welderrx]

As long as your amp meter is on the good side with the lights on I think your good to go. I sometimes mow at night with the old Wheel Horse when my allergies are bugging me, just a little bit of dew keeps the pollen from getting stirred up to much, The headlight angles aren't great for mowing but I know where I am going and I can see good enough, if I was mowing unfamiliar ground I would definitely add more lights. TJ

[Bob McCarty]

At Cecil's Cubfest a few years back, someone duct taped two of the freebie HF LED flashlights to the front of a Cub. They were much better than the 6 volt bulbs that were on it. There are some threads on using 12V LED lights and I think one discusses 6V LED's.

[TallCoolOne58]

Yep, with good generator/voltage regulator/battery. 3/4 throttle or better, which you'll undoubtedly be using while mowing anyway. Keep an eye on your ammeter. Should be fine.

[Jim Becker]

Lurker Carl came up with another option some time ago.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=30596

[DonMountain]

Yep, with good generator/voltage regulator/battery. 3/4 throttle or better, which you'll undoubtedly be using while mowing anyway. Keep an eye on your ammeter. Should be fine.

Since I am mowing at night when it is dark out, how do I keep an "eye on your ammeter"? Is your ammeter lighted? The bulbs in both of my antique Farmall/International tractors must have the ammeter bulbs burned out. Where do I get these bulbs and how do I change them out?

[CapeCodCubs]

I got 6 volt LED bulbs from eBay and they are bright
and set up lights under the floor pan.

Ammeter gauges are not lighted btw
Your dash lights might be out though

[DonMountain]

I got 6 volt LED bulbs from eBay and they are bright
and set up lights under the floor pan.

Ammeter gauges are not lighted btw
Your dash lights might be out though

Is your Cub a 1960 model maybe? I don't think the 1959 model had dash lights. But maybe I could retrofit them? Anybody else have an upgrade like this on their "older" machine?

[TallCoolOne58]

Yep, with good generator/voltage regulator/battery. 3/4 throttle or better, which you'll undoubtedly be using while mowing anyway. Keep an eye on your ammeter. Should be fine.

Since I am mowing at night when it is dark out, how do I keep an "eye on your ammeter"? Is your ammeter lighted? The bulbs in both of my antique Farmall/International tractors must have the ammeter bulbs burned out. Where do I get these bulbs and how do I change them out?

Sorry about the confusion. A PO installed lights to illuminate my oil pressure gauge and ammeter. Turn them on bright during the day, to test your charging system, watching the ammeter. If all is well, go for it.

[WaMoo]

I mow at night when I need to. I have a 6V system and it does fine. I mow with a sickle bar mower, so I usually loosen my right-hand headlight post and rotate it down and back to illuminate my mower. Even with just one headlight facing forward, it’s still plenty bright. I usually top it off with an LED headlamp on my head, so I can see whatever I am looking at.

[T-Mo]

I mow at night when I need to. I have a 6V system and it does fine. I mow with a sickle bar mower, so I usually loosen my right-hand headlight post and rotate it down and back to illuminate my mower. Even with just one headlight facing forward, it’s still plenty bright. I usually top it off with an LED headlamp on my head, so I can see whatever I am looking at.

I believe you have this on one of your youtube videos - btw, any new videos to share?

[WaMoo]

I mow at night when I need to. I have a 6V system and it does fine. I mow with a sickle bar mower, so I usually loosen my right-hand headlight post and rotate it down and back to illuminate my mower. Even with just one headlight facing forward, it’s still plenty bright. I usually top it off with an LED headlamp on my head, so I can see whatever I am looking at.

I believe you have this on one of your youtube videos - btw, any new videos to share?

We still make videos pretty regularly. A lot of them do feature our Cub. Our channel is: https://www.youtube.com/user/vnthomas16