2013 - Volume #37, Issue #4, Page #31
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LED's Light Up The Night For Farming
When a Nebraska farmer tested Baja Designs’ lights on his tractor, the neighbors noticed - one saw the lights 1 1/2 miles away. Most of them were placing orders soon after, says Trent Kirby, marketing manager.
The 21-year-old company has made a name for itself in off-road racing with its nearly indestructible lighting systems.
“We know our lights can be used in the agriculture market and provide cost savings,” Kirby says. “They allow farmers to farm at night longer with less eye strain and half the power draw.”
Baja Designs is one of the few companies that have LED lights with a color temperature of 5,000 Kelvin, which is a pure white light resulting in less eyestrain. They have a lifetime warranty (49,000 hrs.) and are protected in housing made of aircraft grade aluminum. All lights are made in the U.S.
“They have O-ring seals, and that’s been a huge factor for farming owners. They are IP69K-certified, meaning they are waterproof and can be pressure washed at up to 1,450 psi,” Kirby says.
Another advantage of Baja lights is their ability to change beam patterns (spot, high speed spot, driving/combo, wide-cornering, wide-driving and flood) for different applications. Instead of purchasing another light, it’s just a matter of changing the reflectors ($4 to $5). Likewise, lenses can be changed if they get cracked, pitted or cloudy ($10 to $15).
All products work well, but two specific models in Baja’s product line adapt well on tractors and farm equipment. The OnX is an LED light bar that ranges from 8 to 59 in. wide ($395 to $2,395).
The Squadron is an auxiliary light ($299.95) that works best as a pair mounted on each corner.
“The bracket has easy and versatile adjustments to aim the light wherever you need it,” Kirby says.
The stainless steel brackets for both systems bolt to the tractor/equipment, and Kirby notes the company is working on creating a magnetic base. The lights plug into a tractor’s auxiliary plug, via a separate harness or into a cigarette lighter for farmers who want to use the lights on multiple tractors.
“The lights are not DOT-approved, but in the majority of states, you can have up to two auxiliary lights if they are tied into the high beams,” Kirby says.
He adds that he has two Stealth LED light bars on his Silverado set up for highway driving.
Besides visibility, farmers appreciate fuel savings because the lights have less draw. An LED light bar draws 42 watts, compared to a halogen light that uses 125 watts.
Other companies sell LED lights, Kirby says, but Baja Designs products are highly engineered with reflectors designed in-house using the LED’s to their full capacity.
The lights are available through the company’s website, and Baja Designs is actively pursuing agriculture dealers.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Baja Designs, 185 Bosstick Blvd., San Marcos, Calif. 92069 (ph 760 560-2252; www.bajadesigns.com).
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