L345DT headlight bulb change

Grady 580

New member

Equipment
L345DT
Sep 3, 2023
11
0
1
NH
Can anyone help me with changing a headlight bulb on this machine? I feel pretty stupid but short of unbolting the whole assembly I can't figure it out. the center is spring loaded but nothing will turn and I didn't want to break something. I guess it's so simple that the manual doesn't mention it.
 

Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,460
1,477
113
Austin, Texas
Deleted duplicate post
 
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Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,460
1,477
113
Austin, Texas
Here is a picture of the bulb from my L185. It may be the same one that you have on the L345 (or not)

I recall that the glass bulb is too large to fit through the rear of the assembly and the glass lens has to be removed. I vaguely remember that just the glass comes loose and the metal part will not pry apart, just the glass. But I know it will be a lot easier to get the whole assembly off the tractor before you get to frustrated. Then look at the back side and see if you can determine how the bulb is held in place. From looking at the bulb it has to rotate CCW to be removed (looking into the assembly glass)

I know I have pictures but can’t find them now. I may have posted about it and will try to find it
image.jpg
 
Last edited:

Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,460
1,477
113
Austin, Texas
Here are the pictures of my L185 and how it came apart

See posts #7 and 8
 

Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,460
1,477
113
Austin, Texas
Here is a view of the rear of the bulb
IMG_0015.jpeg
 

GeoHorn

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Equipment
M4700DT, LA1002FEL, Ferguson5-8B Compactor-Roller, 10KDumpTrailer, RTV-X900
May 18, 2018
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113
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Push IN…and twist.
 

Grady 580

New member

Equipment
L345DT
Sep 3, 2023
11
0
1
NH
I took your advice and ordered the bulbs. Since you advised they weren't very bright, I opted for the LEDs that are supposedly 3x brighter. We'll see. I noticed the keyhole flange around the bulb like the one in your picture. So I guess I should remove the whole assembly of both headlights and then go in from the front? I see that the bulb is bigger but the LED bulb isn't. Maybe it will be clearer after I get the assembly out. Seems like it should be a lot easier to change a headlight bulb. It takes 30 seconds in my car. Thanks for the research. I appreciate it.
 

Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,460
1,477
113
Austin, Texas
The general steps are:
Remove the assembly from the tractor.
Take the assembly apart and remove the glass lens
Take the bulb out
Replace the bulb
Replace the lens
Reassemble the assembly
Install the assembly back into the tractor.

Getting the assembly apart and then removing the glass lens off were the confusing and difficult parts to me.
 

Grady 580

New member

Equipment
L345DT
Sep 3, 2023
11
0
1
NH
The general steps are:
Remove the assembly from the tractor.
Take the assembly apart and remove the glass lens
Take the bulb out
Replace the bulb
Replace the lens
Reassemble the assembly
Install the assembly back into the tractor.

Getting the assembly apart and then removing the glass lens off were the confusing and difficult parts to me.

OK, Thanks for the step by step. I'll give it a shot tomorrow.
 

Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,460
1,477
113
Austin, Texas
OK, Thanks for the step by step. I'll give it a shot tomorrow.
Read through the linked post above about how to get the assembly apart. I think there is a clip or something on the back of the assembly that gets a metal ring off of the assembly then the glass lens will come off
 

Grady 580

New member

Equipment
L345DT
Sep 3, 2023
11
0
1
NH
Read through the linked post above about how to get the assembly apart. I think there is a clip or something on the back of the assembly that gets a metal ring off of the assembly then the glass lens will come off

OK, Thanks. That helps. What were they thinking with this design?
 

GeoHorn

Well-known member
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Equipment
M4700DT, LA1002FEL, Ferguson5-8B Compactor-Roller, 10KDumpTrailer, RTV-X900
May 18, 2018
6,057
3,329
113
Texas
OK, Thanks. That helps. What were they thinking with this design?
They were thinking “waterproof, durable, method of illuminating the back of your FEL Bucket”.
 

Grady 580

New member

Equipment
L345DT
Sep 3, 2023
11
0
1
NH
Funny! I like the waterproof and durable but I might trade a little for ease of replacement if given the choice. I'm hoping the LED bulbs can extend the range out another couple feet.
 

Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,460
1,477
113
Austin, Texas
What LED bulbs did you get? What type of base are they?
 

Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,460
1,477
113
Austin, Texas
Please post back then with the results and details of what you bought