Field Tested: UTV vs Kubota

Customer: Craig Williams (The 1 Dirt Monkey)
Machine: Kubota KX060-5

The Challenge

Craig Williams, known by many as The 1 Dirt Monkey, regularly works long days that often stretch into the night. Running his Kubota KX060-5 excavator on his site means visibility isn’t just helpful, it’s critical.

While the Kubota comes with factory-fitted LED work lights, Craig found they simply didn’t give him the brightness or spread he needed.

“They’re fine if you’re just ticking over,” Craig explained, “but when you’re working properly at night, they don’t light up the surrounding areas enough.”

The issue wasn’t just distance, it was coverage. Poor side visibility, limited spread and limited light output, meant Craig had to either slow down or stop completely when nighttime came.

For a machine working in tight spaces and around obstacles with short deadlines, that’s far from ideal.

The Solution

Craig upgraded his Kubota KX060-5 with UTV3012 45W Square Work Lights from UTV Products.

Designed as high-performance aftermarket LED lights for a range of machines, the UTV3012 delivers powerful flood-beam coverage while maintaining a clean, professional fit.

Once installed, the difference was immediate.

Craig’s response?

“They are bl**dy bright!”

Simple. Honest. Field-tested.

The Results

With the UTV3012 fitted, Craig immediately noticed:

Wider flood spread around the dig area
Brighter, clearer working zone
Reduced shadows around the boom and bucket
Greater confidence operating at night

The surrounding areas that were once dim are now fully illuminated, allowing Craig to work efficiently and safely after dark.

When comparing UTV Products LED lights vs Kubota Factory-Fitted, the real-world difference isn’t subtle, it’s visible from the moment you switch them on.

For contractors searching for the best LED work lights for construction equipment, brightness alone isn’t enough. Spread, clarity and reliability matter just as much — and that’s where UTV Products stands out.

The Stats

UTV3012 – 45W Square Work Light

£69.00 ex VAT

3,400 actual lumens
Flood beam for maximum area coverage
IP68 waterproof rating
Zero radio interference
Plug-and-play design
Durable die-cast aluminium housing

Why Lumens Matter

If you’re wondering what makes the difference, it comes down to measurable output.

Lumens measure the total amount of visible light emitted by a source.

Higher actual lumen output means:

Brighter illumination
Better visibility at distance
Improved clarity around attachments
Reduced eye strain during long shifts

Many OEM lights do not publish actual lumen figures, making direct comparison difficult. At UTV Products, we provide actual lumen measurements, so customers know exactly what they’re getting.

Why Upgrade to Aftermarket Lights for Kubota Excavators?

Factory lights are built to meet a standard specification, not to maximise performance.

Upgrading to aftermarket lights for Kubota excavators allows operators to:

Improve safety in low-light conditions
Increase productivity on night jobs
Reduce fatigue
Work confidently in all environments

Craig’s verdict says it all — the difference isn’t marginal. It’s dramatic.

Ask your dealer about fitting UTV Products LEDs to your machine and experience the difference for yourself.

As always, if you need more information, contact our friendly, knowledgeable team at UTV Products.

Explore our wide range of lights available through the link.
Want to see our lights in action?

Then check out our social media platforms here or visit our landing page here to see real-world comparisons of UTV Products LED lights vs Kubota factory-fitted.

Or Contact us.

Field Tested: UTV vs John Deere

Bursting the Myth – Are All LED Lights the Same?

Upgrading your tractor with new LED lights or considering factory-fitted LEDs on a new machine? A quick online search will flood you with many options. With so many brands and features to consider, it’s hard to know which one is best. Are there genuine differences between LED lights, or are they all essentially the same? Let’s find out.

Introducing the UTV Try-Outs Series

Over the coming months, we’re launching a new series called UTV Try-Outs, where we compare various tractor brand factory-fitted LEDs against our UTV LEDs. This series is designed to help you make informed decisions when choosing LED lights for your machine.

First Test: John Deere Factory LEDs vs. UTV LEDs

For our first comparison, we tested the UTV359 and UTV358—plug-and-play LED work lights designed specifically for John Deere R and M Series tractors.

Upgrading your tractor’s lights can feel overwhelming, especially when venturing beyond the original manufacturer. With so many choices available—factory-fitted LEDs, premium brands, aftermarket suppliers, and budget options—it’s easy to feel uncertain. So why choose UTV Products?

We’re confident in the unmatched performance of our lights. Visually, our UTV359 and UTV358 lights closely resemble John Deere’s factory-fitted LEDs, maintaining the original OEM appearance while delivering high-performance light output. This balance of aesthetics and performance sets UTV apart.

The Work Light Comparison: Putting UTV to the Test

To evaluate the performance, we visited AD Benion, a Cheshire contractor, where Simon Rutter was outfitting a John Deere 6155R with a full suite of UTV LEDs. The setup included:

16 UTV Work Lights: A mix of UTV358 and UTV359 (4,800 lumens each)
Low and High Beam Headlights: UTV355 (2,100 lumens) and UTV356 (4,200 lumens)
UTV323 Floodlights: (3,200 lumens each)
UTV613 Beacons

This test was particularly insightful as it involved three tractors with different lighting setups:

One equipped with original John Deere halogen lights.
Another with John Deere’s factory-fitted LED lights.
A third outfitted entirely with UTV LEDs.

To measure the results, Managing Director Ben Bonell and Marketing Apprentice Hugh Irving used a lux reader app. The lux levels were measured at a consistent distance to determine the performance of each light.

What Is Lux?

If you’re wondering, What even is lux?—here’s a quick explanation:

Jack from UTV Products explains:
“Lux measures the brightness of a light at a specific point. It’s the SI unit of illuminance, equal to one lumen per square meter. In simple terms, it shows how effectively the light illuminates a target area at a distance.”

The Results

John Deere Factory-Fitted LEDs:

Output: 3,000 effective lumens.
1 lux reading at 33 meters.

UTV LEDs:

Output: 4,800 effective lumens.
1 lux reading at 103 meters.

This means UTV lights not only outshine John Deere’s LEDs in terms of brightness but also illuminate a much greater distance.

Price Per Lumen: Breaking It Down

Let’s compare costs to understand the value:

John Deere Factory-Fitted LED: £127.50 (€153.81) per light (excluding VAT).
UTV LED: £75 (€92.37) per light (excluding VAT).

When we calculate the price per lumen:

John Deere Factory LEDs: Approx. 4p per lumen (€0.051)
UTV LEDs: Approx. 2p per lumen (€0.018)

If you want to save money while enjoying high-performance lighting—and maintain your tractor’s original look—UTV LEDs are the way to go. Ask your dealer to kit your new machine with UTV LEDs and experience the difference for yourself!

With UTV Products, you’re investing in high-quality lights designed to outperform the competition while keeping your tractor looking as good as new.

As always, anything that you feel you need more information on then please contact our friendly, knowledgeable team at UTV Products.

Explore our wide range of lights available through the link. Want to see our amazing lights in action? Then check out our social media platforms here.

Or Contact us.

December 2024

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