Note: this article describes the regulations in force in Poland. Requirements in other countries may differ – check your local rules.
Road, work and warning lighting
The lamps on a tractor fall into three groups, which are subject to different requirements:
- Road lighting – headlamps, position lamps, direction indicators, stop lamps and registration plate lighting. They must have road type approval, because the tractor uses them on public roads.
- Work lighting – work lamps (halogens) lighting the field and machines. They do not require road type approval.
- Warning lighting – amber beacon and strobe, switched on only when the regulations allow it.
Every LED lamp must meet the electromagnetic compatibility requirements of ECE R10, and every warning lamp those of ECE R65. All lamps in our shop meet these requirements. Which lights are mandatory on tractors and agricultural machinery is described in the article Mandatory lighting of agricultural vehicles and trailers – regulations.
Main headlamps for tractors
A headlamp provides dipped and main beams. Older tractors most often have round headlamps for an R2 bulb:
- WESEM RE.13910.R2/P – right-hand Ø161 mm headlamp for side mounting, used e.g. on Ursus C-300, C-4000, Zetor and Pronar Żubroń tractors. Mounted on a Ø18 mm sleeve (M18x1.5 bolt) through which the wires pass.
- WESEM RE.03109.R2 – the Ø150 mm optical insert alone for Ursus series 0217 and 0219 headlamps, when the housing is intact but the glass has cracked or the reflector has corroded.
- Connector block A.07128 – connects the wiring to the H4 or R2 main bulb.
For driving in fog, the small WESEM HM2.19071 fog lamp for an H3 bulb, mounted on an M8 bolt, comes in handy. You will find the full range in the Main headlamps category.
Front lamps and direction indicators
At the front of a tractor there are position lamps and direction indicators, often combined in a single combination lamp. Example: WESEM LT3.48450 – position lamp and indicator for R5W and P21W bulbs, fitting John Deere 5G, 5GF and 5GV tractors, among others. See the Front combination lamps and Direction indicators categories.
Rear lamps for tractors
At the rear, a tractor needs position lamps, stop lamps and direction indicators. When replacing a factory lamp, the lens alone is often enough – e.g. the red lens A.41000 for the LT2 combination lamp on Zetor Proxima tractors. Universal 12/24 V LED rear lamps from the Rear combination lamps category fit tractors and trailers. How to choose the number of functions, the voltage and the dimensions is explained in the guide LED rear lamps for trailers – how to choose and connect.
Work lamps (halogens) for tractors
Work lamps light the field in front of the tractor, the hitch, the loader and mounted implements. When choosing a lamp, look at the luminous flux in lumens, the beam type (spot or wide), the IP rating and the mounting method. LED lamps have no filament, so they cope better with shocks and vibration when working in the field. Examples:
- WESEM LKR6.22990 – built-in lamp for an H3 bulb, fitting Case IH, John Deere and Fendt tractors, among others,
- Horpol LRD 3043/BL/A1 – 1000 lm LED work lamp with a built-in amber strobe.
You will find details in the guide Halogen and LED work lamps for tractors – how to choose and in the Work lamps category.
Beacon and strobe for tractors
The amber warning light is switched on, among other situations, when driving with a machine wider than 2.55 m or when working on the road. A beacon is mounted on the cab roof, and where it will not fit – flat strobes, e.g. Horpol LDO 2780 with 4 flash modes. Read the guides Strobe for a tractor – which one to choose and where to mount it and Magnetic warning beacon – how to choose, and see the Amber warning lamps category.
Exactly when a warning lamp is mandatory and which colours are permitted is explained in the article Roof beacons and strobes – regulations.
Sprayer lighting
When spraying after dark, lighting for the nozzles and the spray jet is useful:
- Horpol ZLD 2644 – white LED lamps linked in a chain at a chosen spacing, IP68, 12/24 V,
- Horpol LRD 3183 – blue 400 lm work lamp for lighting the spray,
- MD 3291/6M module – control of the warning lamp and sprayer lamps with a 4-channel remote.
More in the article LED sprayer nozzle lighting and in the Agricultural sprayer lighting category.
Agricultural trailer lighting
A trailer behind a tractor must have its own rear lamps, triangular reflectors and registration plate lighting. We describe the requirements in the articles Mandatory trailer lighting – regulations and Positioning of lights on a trailer. You will find reflectors in the Reflectors category and plate lamps in the Registration plate lighting category.
Wider machines and trailers also need end-outline marker lamps – we write about their colours in LED marker lamps – colours and regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Do LED lamps on a tractor have to be type-approved?
Road lamps (headlamps, position lamps, indicators, stop lamps) – yes, they must have road type approval. Work lamps do not require road type approval, but as LED lamps they must meet ECE R10. Warning lamps must meet ECE R65.
12 V or 24 V?
Agricultural tractors usually run on a 12 V system, while combine harvesters and heavy machinery often run on 24 V. 12/24 V LED lamps work on both systems. With bulb lamps, the voltage depends on the bulb used.
Can I replace a bulb lamp with an LED lamp?
Yes, if the new lamp has the same function, fits in the mounting location and has the required type approval. We give the dimensions and mounting method in the technical data of each lamp. If after switching the indicator to LED it flashes too fast, a resistor will help – we described this in the guide to rear lamps.
Have a question about choosing a lamp for your tractor? Write to us at zemot@zemot.pl.