Searching for a dash cam for tractors seems pretty pointless at first. Tractors typically don’t have vehicles rear ending their tractors. They aren’t typically on freeways, but they do see a lot more agriculture than anything. But that doesn’t mean dash cams for tractors are pointless. There are a vast number of reasons to consider looking for the best dash cam for your tractor.
We’re going to explore how you may want to protect your $50,000 tractor or even improve your driving ability with a dash cam. There are specific features that people in agriculture need and there are some which are pointless. We’ll go into depth on each one and find the best dash cam setup for you.
Featured Dash Cam
- 7″ LCD digital monitor, Built-in recorder. Real time recording, video playback
- The camera’s waterproof level is IP69K rating (highest IP rating) and the vibration rating is 5.9G.
- HD 720P Digital Wireless Backup camera system, it has far better image resolution, stronger lens and longer transmission distance, which will bring you a whole new driving experience
How a Dash Cam can improve your life!
I mentioned above how tractors don’t typically see streets or freeways often. I’d say 99% of the time they don’t, but when they do, it can be very dangerous. Most tractors top out at 25mph, and if the occasion calls for going on a freeway or a road that has blind turns, it can put you and your career at risk. A dash cam, that has GPS, can help you provide law enforcement or judges with the proper information on what actually occurred if you were to get in an accident.
The second reason is equipment security. If there’s a chance your tractor may be involved in vandalism, theft or burglary, you’ll want it on video if possible! Having your dash cam record when it senses movement or vibration can save you thousands of dollars and headaches over knowing what exactly happened.
The final reason is that if your tractor setup doesn’t have a rear observation system, you are missing out on an opportunity to become better at your job. Depending on what industry you are in, you may need to see what’s behind your tractor. Or underneath if you are dealing with crops, or perhaps a closer view of the front, for preciseness. Being able to see more detail without having to squint, or turn your head multiple times a day is physically healthier and efficient.
Connectivity and Power
Most of the time people focus on all the features dash cams have, like shock sensors, or night vision. Often overlooked is how you can power these devices, especially if they operate outside your cabin. This gives people the most headache as there is no easy solution for battery powered dash cams.
Within the cabin it is straight forward. Most tractors have a 12v or USB connection. All recommended dash cams will be compatible. The tricky part is the external camera. I won’t be able to name all the solutions, but some common ones involve using power from one of your brake lights, extending the power to your car battery, or utilizing the power on a loader.
Features to look for in Dash Cam Tractors
Touch Screen
Having a large touch screen is vital for those who work in agriculture. The reason is you want a live feed of out of sight spots when you are working. Having a small LCD screen is not going to help you. All of the recommendations we give you are large touch screens which will easily allow you to cycle from different camera angles, like front, back or both.
Dual Camera Setup
Two cameras is better than one as they say. A highly recommended setup is to have one camera facing forward, and the other in your optimal position. That may be facing the ground the side or the rear bumper. Again, two cameras is the most popular, but that isn’t restrictive. You can always add more cameras depending on your situation, up to 4 in most setups.
Durability from Weather
Dust, water, dirt and other harsh elements are a constant battle with tractors. If you have external dash cams, those that are running outside the cabin, durability is crucial. We recommend you look for IP65+ which means International Protection Rating, which measures protection against elements. IP69K is the highest level which means it’s protected from steam-jet cleaning, yikes!
Features to NOT look for in Dash Cam Tractors
Loop Recording
We’re not here to really dive deep into features you don’t need. For all we know, you might really need these features. But alas, there are some features you don’t need to stress about. One is loop recording. Though most dash cams have this already, unless you like watching yourself drive, most of the time you won’t need this.
Wide Angle
Wide Angle is really crucial if you are on the road a lot. In some cases, wide angle is actually detrimental to your goal.
Dashcam Recommendations
Haloview MC7108
The Haloview is our top recommendation. It boasts the highest waterproof level at IP69K and comes with a giant 7″ LCD digital monitor. It sends video transmission wirelessly and allows more cameras to be added on.
This is the perfect system if you have a oversized vehicle or tractor and need a durable and reliable solution. The downside to this is that only one camera is included. You can purchase extras if needed.
FHD 1080P Wireless Backup Camera
Much like the previous dash cam setup, this system is IP69K waterproof as well. It comes with 2 cameras standard which is a big plus.
It comes with a large 7″ TFT screen showcasing 1080P resolution. One thing that sets this setup apart is that it has IR night vision. Great, if you do a lot of work in the dark.
Z-Edge Dash Cam
The last setup is more of a traditional dash cam setup. There is a front facing dash cam and a secondary cam that you can place anywhere. Unlike other setups, the second camera is not wireless so it needs to be within 20 feet of the main unit. For smaller vehicles, this should be no problem. We also do not advise keeping any of these cameras exposed to the weather. Keeping it behind glass is recommended.
This does have a large 4 inch touch screen compared to other traditional dash cameras. It includes loop recording, parking mode and superb night vision.
Conclusion
A lot of information is being thrown at you. The first thing to do is to think about your main goals for having a dash cam. Is it for real time monitoring, or security playback? Once you have that locked down it is easy to find the best dash cam for your tractor or truck.