Why does one side light up solid when turn signal is on?

[troverman]

Although I've known its been like this for years, does anyone know the logic of lighting up one turn signal "solid" while the other one blinks? Seems counter-intuitive to me.

At least my Grand L has self-cancelling turn signals!

 

[Russell King]

I believe it is to show both sides fo the vehicle so it is more obvious which way it is turning.

Think about if you’re driving down the road and saw one flashing light. It could be something in your lane turning left or something coming toward you turning right. Add an outside steady light and then you have the answer to what is happening in front of you.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[D2Cat]

Russell, I think you are right on.

Our eyes/brain have limitations with depth perception. That is why automobiles have two light in the back, it provides the ability for a comparison to determine depth.

 

[chim]

Think of it as a brake light.

 

[quazz]

Yes I think Russel is right. One flashing light is meaningless without the other at night. My only complaint on my L3800 is the location of the turn signal/flashers switch. I constantly hit it with my knee and turn them on. It is a great credit to Kubota that after 6 years this is my only complaint.

 

[troverman]

Cars don’t do that...and at night tractors have tail lights for perception. Cab tractors have front marker lights...and all tractors have headlights...just saying...

 

[chim]

.....................................At least my Grand L has self-cancelling turn signals!

I remember the first time I had the 4240 on the road and being surprised by that. Nice touch.

 

[quazz]

Cars don’t do that...and at night tractors have tail lights for perception. Cab tractors have front marker lights...and all tractors have headlights...just saying...

I retract my earlier statement and replace it with I don't know LOL. I forgot that at night the tail lights would be on and give perspective to the turn signal.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Cars don’t do that...and at night tractors have tail lights for perception. Cab tractors have front marker lights...and all tractors have headlights...just saying...

.........but not during the day.....

 

[troverman]

.........but not during the day.....

Nor do cars...

 

[torch]

If this is something the tractor did not do when new, it may be a faulty ground. A common problem with trailer wiring.

 

[Bulldog]

Cars don’t do that...and at night tractors have tail lights for perception. Cab tractors have front marker lights...and all tractors have headlights...just saying...

Not all tractors have tail lights. Nor do all cab tractors have front markers.


I always figured it was to show that both lights worked so a oncoming car wouldn't just assume it was out or just making a turn. Could relate back to old iron that only had one flasher period. What would these people now days do that can't even understand current tractor warning signals.

 

[troverman]

Could be, but why use an antiquated turn signal design anymore? All current tractors are sold with headlights and taillights.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: All current tractors are sold with headlights and taillights...

maybe, BUT not all operators USE them !!!

I'm waiting for some pollytician to mandate that they automatically come on as required by law91/2hr before sunset to 1/2hr after sunrise). A simple $1 'computer' addition can do that.

 

[BAP]

Could be, but why use an antiquated turn signal design anymore? All current tractors are sold with headlights and taillights.

During the day, they assume that many people do not have their headlights and taillights on. It is mainly an attention getter lighting up both turn lights. Also, some of the way lights work on tractors are carry over from European laws.

 

[torch]

I've seen some vehicles that dim the front daylight running light on the same side as an active front turn signal. So the attention-getting camp has a valid point.

 

[mikester]

It helps minimize confusion for other motorists.
Example: If you are driving with your 4 way hazards on and suddenly one side turns off and the other blinks its hard to judge if there is simply a burnt out light or a turn is being indicated. If the other light is solid then its a clear turn signal indication.

 

[GeoHorn]

I wonder if it’s a Japanese thing similar to why they tell a driver “blue light” when the driver just sits there unresponsive with the traffic light turns green.

(This is a post-war thing. Japanese traffic signals were red and blue for stop and go until teh post-war occupation when American Forces changed them over to red and green. But the old idiom continued so that when the light turned green, the passenger would tell the driver “blue light”. )

 

[troverman]

I've seen some vehicles that dim the front daylight running light on the same side as an active front turn signal. So the attention-getting camp has a valid point.

That was originally done because the LED "eyebrows" under or above the turn signals were bright enough to drown out the oftentimes incandescent amber turn signal.

 

[Freeheeler]

All this comparison to cars is a mute point. I think I'm the only one in TN who actually uses turn signals except for the occasion car that drives for miles with a turn signal flashing