Headlights cracking

[coakes00]

What are some ways you gentlemen keep your headlights from cracking?

It seems like I have a bulb crack and go out ever few months under normal use. My last bulb cracked after being turned on once and mowing the yard twice. I've had a few break because the bolts came loose and let them rattle, but they crack just the same when I tighten them up.

Is there some trick to help them live longer of is this just a fact when owning an older cub?

[R Bedell]

In the 15+ yrs I have had Cub Cadets, I have never had that happen.

You make no mention of the model of the tractor that this is happening on nor posted any pictures.

[coakes00]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

In the 15+ yrs I have had Cub Cadets, I have never had that happen.

You make no mention of the model of the tractor that this is happening on nor posted any pictures.

Sorry about that. It keeps happening to my 127. In the year I've had it, I've replaced both bulbs 3 times. At first, I thought It was because of cold slush freezing on them when throwing snow but it also happened this spring and again in the last month since I replace all the electrical including the wiring harness, VR, switches, and lights.

I'll take a picture tonight when I get home. Most of the time it cracks right down the middle of the lens but the rest of the time it breaks on the back silver side by with the terminals. I found a picture on google that looks similar to how they crack. I've attached it below.

[olds45512]

ive never had one crack or go bad either, the ones in my 108 are 4yrs old and still work.

[Yosemite Sam]

I have had this happen with cheap 4411 sealed beams.

I don't recall ever having any of the GE ones crack.

There are also others besides the GE ones that hold up for a long time.

[jaynjeep]

That is a really odd problem... My 1450 still has the original bulbs in it from the 1970's..

Maybe you should try a different brand... I think the last ones I bought were Wagners? They have been in my 128 for several years with no problems.

[john hall]

Aren't they the same as older farm tractors? Rarely have I seen one break in a farm tractor. Are you using name brand as others have asked? Is it possible the bulbs don't fit as they should, putting severe stress on them when clamped down?

[Cub Cadet 123]

Never had this problem, but if I was you, then I would remove my headlight assembly and inspect it. Look for anything, like rust or gunk that would allow the headlights to move while mounted. Also, I do not have a 127, so I am unsure about the mounting brackets on it, but on my 123 I notice there is a rectangular notch in the mounting brackets on back that fit around an embossed rectangular notch on the back of the headlights. It could be that you are not "seating" the headlights in properly causing them to vibrate with the tractor and resulting in this problem. My cubs are many miles from me.....sorry, pics are not possible to further explain this situation. Lay the mounting bracket flat, face down on something, then as you put two new headlamps in, inspect their mounting to make sure that it is "even" and secure with the notch in the bracket around the embossed rectangle on the back of the headlamp, then replace the entire assembly into your cub and you should be off and running.

Cub Cadet 123