M 6800 Tail light
| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5278 South Carolina
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2006-06-22 131214
I have replaced the left tail light blub on my tractor 3 or 4 times in the last two months. Don't use it much at night but on road about dusk so like it working. I have used at least 2 different brands purchased from 2 different stores. Yet after just a few minutes they stop working. Don't really looked burned out but they must be as I can hook them directly to a 12 volt source and they will not work. Yes, I have verified the bulbs are 12 volt for my 12 volt system.
The light fixture has place for 2 light bulbs but only use one. Guess the other use is an option I don't have. In trying to figure out what is going on noticed the area around the other bulb socket is busted. Looks like it is allowing a little dust into the bulb area. I have not found any moisture in the fixture or really much dust. It is hard to believe dust could be blowing the bulbs as I have seen tail lights on trailers and such run for a long time with a broken lens.
Suggestions?
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M 6800 Tail light
| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7252 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2006-06-22 131218
Kenneth, are you talking about the round light on top of the fender (blinker), or the marker light in the back of the fender (running light only)?
Off-hand I'd say any bulb that blew that fast was defective, and if it was, likely the others in the pack, or from the same store were also low quality and just broke. Tractors are tough on bulbs, lots of bumps and vibration.
I would suggest that you go to a place that sells heavy truck parts and get them, just like with 120 volt bulbs, 12 volt ones also come in 'regular' and 'rough service' types. The filamet is a little stronger, as is the base, with the heavy duty ones.
BTW, the dual bulb sockets are because in different areas of the world the tractors have automotive style brake lights, etc., that they don't require, and thus don't pay for or install, here in North America.
The other thing you can do is to pre-temper the bulb a bit, hook it to a battery or charger for a little while, then let it cool and repeat a few times before you install it on the tractor to prevent any hard shocks or bumps during its initial few heat/cool cycles.
Best of luck. ....
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M 6800 Tail light
| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5278 South Carolina
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2006-06-22 131226
Murf,
The light on back of the fender or running light.
I bought the frist two bulbs from a tractor parts store combination. I did not know about the tempering method although did that in checking them a little. Turning on to see it work and then off and then off and it worked. Then ran tractor an hour or so and no light. Will go to Kubota dealership and buy their bulb.
Thanks, ....
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M 6800 Tail light
| kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2006-06-22 131227
Bulbs have really declined in quality as production has moved offshore. When GE made bulbs in the states they had much stronger filament supports and filaments than the stuff they sell now that is made in China. A visual comparison between old and new tells you all you need to know. ....
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M 6800 Tail light
| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5278 South Carolina
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2006-06-22 131247
Well guys went and bought two bulbs from Kubota dealer and they can in orange plastic. At $3.92 each I sure hope they are better quality than the less than dollar part store ones. ....
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M 6800 Tail light
| ditto95
Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 12 Kentucky
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2006-06-23 131279
Check you socket voltage. You may be running a high voltage and burning up the bulbs. ....
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M 6800 Tail light
| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5278 South Carolina
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2006-06-23 131281
Installed the $4 Kubota bulb last night, nothing. Well I found there is a broken wire inside the insulation to the bulb. Seems I had two issues, first bulbs were defective and a broken wire inside insulation. You know the $4 Kubota bulb does not look any better in the filament then the 80 cent GE one does.
So, don't assume the obvious is alwasy the issue. ....
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