McCormick Tractor Lights: X7 and MTX Work Lights and Headlights

McCormick tractor lights depend on the era: Doncaster-built CX, MC, MTX, ZTX and XTX tractors from 2000 to 2007 use halogen H4 or H7 headlamps and cab-roof halogen work lamps, while the Italian-built X-series (X4, X5, X6, X7 and X8) from 2013 add more work lamp positions and factory LED options. Identify the range and build year, then match the bulb or lamp.

This guide covers how McCormick lighting is laid out, the International Harvester and Case IH heritage behind the early ranges, the bulb and voltage points to check, the LED upgrade path for an X7 or older MTX, and the parts crossover with Landini under Argo Tractors.

How McCormick Tractor Lighting Works

A McCormick tractor lighting system is the set of headlamps, work lamps, beacons, cab lights and rear lamps wired through a 12V negative-earth system on the models covered here. Road lighting covers headlamps, sidelights, indicators, stop, tail and number plate lamps; working lighting covers work lamps, beacons and cab interior lights.

The McCormick name goes back to Cyrus McCormick’s reaper in the 1830s. In 1902 the McCormick and Deering businesses merged to form International Harvester (IH), whose post-war European tractor plants included Doncaster. In 1985 Tenneco, owner of Case, took over IH’s agricultural business, creating Case IH, and Doncaster went on building Case IH tractors, including the MX Maxxum and the CX range, both launched in 1997.

When Case and New Holland merged to form CNH, the European Commission required some assets to be sold. In 2000 the Italian ARGO group, owner of Landini, bought the Doncaster plant along with the rights to several Case IH designs, and the McCormick brand returned to the market in 2001. For the first years, McCormick CX tractors from Doncaster were essentially the Case IH CX with a new badge. ARGO announced the closure of Doncaster in December 2006, and the last Doncaster tractor, an XTX, left the line on 14 December 2007. Production moved to Fabbrico in Italy, alongside Landini.

For lighting purposes this gives 3 eras:

• IH and Case IH heritage (to 2000): tractors badged International or Case IH, covered in our Case IH tractor lights guide.
• Doncaster McCormick (2001 to 2007): CX, MC, MTX, ZTX and XTX ranges developed from the Case IH designs, with halogen lighting throughout.
• Italian McCormick (2007 onwards): TTX, T-Max, G-Max, X60, X70 and then the X-series from 2013, with progressive LED options.

Identifying Your McCormick Before Ordering

A McCormick model is confirmed by the bonnet decal, the type plate and the serial number. The table lists the main ranges with approximate production years and typical lighting.

Range	Approximate years	Power	Typical factory lighting
CX (CX75 to CX105, later CX90 to CX110)	2001 to 2011	73 to 102 hp	Grille headlamps, 2 front and 2 rear halogen roof lamps
MC (MC80 to MC130)	Early 2000s to 2013	84 to 124 hp	Halogen headlamps, roof work lamps
MTX (MTX110 to MTX200)	Early 2000s to 2007, MTX145 later	116 to 204 hp	Halogen headlamps, 4 or more roof work lamps
ZTX (ZTX230 to ZTX280)	2003 to 2007	230 to 280 hp	Halogen headlamps, larger roof lamp packages
XTX (XTX145 to XTX215)	2005 to 2007	145 to 195 hp	Halogen headlamps, roof work lamp clusters
TTX (TTX190 to TTX230)	2007 to 2013	180 to 213 hp	Halogen headlamps, roof work lamp clusters
T-Max and G-Max	2009 to 2015	74 to 150 hp	Halogen headlamps, 2 to 4 work lamps
X60 and X70	2011 to the early 2020s	92 to 214 hp	Halogen with LED options on some specs
X4, X5, X6	From 2013 to 2015	Utility to mid range	Halogen or LED work lamp options
X7 (X7.4 and X7.6)	From 2013, X7.6 updated 2019	Mid to high power	LED work lamp options, extra mid-level LEDs on the updated cab
X8 VT-Drive	From 2015	Up to 340 hp (X8.634 from 2025)	Full LED work light packages; lamp count varies by year and spec

Reading the Model Number

Doncaster-era models use a range prefix and a rough power figure, so an MTX150 is around 150 hp and a CX105 around 100 hp. X-series names add a cylinder or platform digit: an X7.4 model has a 4-cylinder engine and an X7.6 model has a 6-cylinder, with the remaining digits indicating power and transmission. The type plate gives the exact specification.

McCormick Headlamps

A McCormick headlamp is the dipped and main beam road lamp, set in the grille or bonnet front on most models. Loader tractors usually have a second pair on the cab so the road lamps are not blocked by the loader.

CX, MC and MTX Headlamps

Doncaster McCormicks inherited their headlamps from the Case IH designs they were based on, so a CX headlamp is typically the same pattern as the equivalent Case IH CX lamp. These are halogen units, typically using H4 60/55W bulbs, though some housings use H7. Read the code on the old bulb base before ordering.

X-Series Headlamps

X-series McCormicks use halogen headlamps on many builds and LED units on higher specifications and later models. Sealed LED headlamps are replaced as a complete assembly. Look up the serial number with a dealer before ordering, because specifications changed within ranges, especially at the X7.6 update.

McCormick Work Lights

A McCormick work light is a field lamp mounted on the cab roof, pillars or mudguards. CX and MC cabs typically have 2 front and 2 rear roof lamps, with larger Doncaster models and the TTX carrying more. On the X-series, LED work lamps came in with the new bonnets and cabs, and the X8 VT-Drive offers full LED work light packages, with the lamp count depending on year and specification. The updated X7.6 cab added extra mid-level LED lamps.

Older halogen McCormick work lamps typically use H3 bulbs. Swapping each roof lamp for an LED lamp with the same mounting is the simplest X7 or MTX upgrade. Browse LED work lamps and match the bracket style to the original lamp.

Typical Mounting Positions

• Front roof edge: 2 to 6 lamps for loader work and headlands.
• Rear roof edge: 2 to 6 lamps for the hitch and implement.
• Cab pillars or mirror arms: side lamps for wide kit.
• Rear mudguards: low lamps for hitching.

McCormick Beacons and Cab Lights

In the UK a tractor with a maximum speed of 25 mph or less must show at least 1 flashing amber beacon on an unrestricted dual carriageway. McCormick cabs typically have a beacon mount or pole socket on a rear roof corner. Check the fitting (1 bolt, 3 bolt, magnetic or DIN pole) before choosing from our tractor beacons.

Cab interior lights use small festoon or wedge bulbs, and plain LED replacements are fine for these.

McCormick Rear Lights, Indicators and Number Plate Lamps

A McCormick rear lamp combines tail, stop and indicator functions and sits on the rear mudguard extensions or cab pillars.

• Stop and tail: typically P21/5W (380) twin-filament bulbs.
• Indicators: P21W (382) behind an amber lens, or PY21W with a clear lens.
• Number plate: typically C5W festoon or R5W bulbs.
• Later X-series: LED rear lamps on some builds, replaced as a unit.

Left and right rear lamps are handed. Doncaster-era rear lamps often match the Case IH lamp of the same era. Photograph the back of the old lamp and compare it with our tractor taillights.

Bulb and Voltage Notes

McCormick tractors typically run 12V electrics. Buy 12V bulbs, or multi-voltage LED lamps rated for 12V and 24V. Points to check:

• Bulb codes: read the code from the old bulb.
• Flasher units: LED indicators can flash fast because the flasher unit reads their low current as a failed bulb. Fit an LED-compatible flasher or load resistors.
• Lamp monitoring: X-series tractors may monitor lamp circuits, so choose CAN-bus compatible LED lamps.
• Interference: cheap LED lamps can disrupt radios and GPS. Choose lamps that meet ECE R10 on tractors with guidance.

Upgrading a McCormick from Halogen to LED

The halogen to LED upgrade guide covers the full process. On a McCormick, start with the work lamps: a halogen lamp typically draws around 55W, and an LED replacement of similar output around 25W to 40W. Replacing 4 roof lamps on a CX or MTX takes a real load off the alternator and the original switch. Run any extra lamps through a relay and fuse.

For road headlamps, complete approved (E-marked) LED headlamp units are the legal upgrade, not LED bulbs in halogen reflectors. On cars first used from April 1986 the MOT fails that swap as “light source and lamp not compatible” (approved LEDr bulbs with their approval sticker are accepted from 14 October 2026, but at the time of writing none is approved for H4 or H7). Agricultural tractors are exempt from the MOT, but the same type-approval principle applies on the road.

Parts Crossover: Case IH and Landini

Case IH Heritage

Doncaster-built McCormicks from the early 2000s were developed from Case IH designs, so many lamps, switches and brackets on a CX, MC or MTX match the Case IH equivalent of the same era. This makes the Case IH parts listing a useful cross-reference for older McCormicks. Crossover fades on later Italian-built models.

Landini Under Argo Tractors

Since 2007 McCormick has been built at Fabbrico alongside Landini under Argo Tractors. The McCormick X7 and the Landini 6 and 7 Series were developed with the same engines, transmissions and front axles, and the brands typically share cabs, switchgear and many lamps where the platform is common. See the Landini tractor lights guide. Confirm any crossover by the part number moulded on the lamp.

Buying Tips for McCormick Lights

• Confirm the range, build year and whether the tractor was built at Doncaster or Fabbrico.
• Photograph the old lamp front and back, including plug and part number.
• Read the bulb code from the old bulb.
• Check Case IH cross-references for Doncaster-era tractors.
• Buy E-marked lamps for road functions.
• Choose CAN-bus compatible LED lamps for X-series tractors.
• Use a relay and fuse when adding work lamps.

For a method that works on any make, see the tractor light fitment guide. Orders of £75 or more (inc VAT) qualify for free UK mainland delivery.

Frequently asked questions

Are McCormick tractors the same as Case IH?

The early ones were closely related. ARGO bought the former Case IH plant at Doncaster in 2000, and the first McCormick CX tractors were essentially Case IH CX tractors with a new badge. Later McCormicks, built in Italy from 2007, are separate designs.

How many work lights does a McCormick X8 have?

It depends on the year and specification. Published figures range from 12 LED work lights in the roof to 20 LED work lights in total, so count the lamps on your tractor or check the serial number with a dealer.

What bulbs does a McCormick MTX use?

MTX headlamps are halogen units, typically H4 60/55W, with halogen work lamps typically on H3 bulbs and rear lamps on P21/5W and P21W. Read the code on the old bulb before ordering.

Do McCormick and Landini share lights?

Often, because both brands belong to Argo Tractors and are built at Fabbrico on shared platforms. Confirm by the part number on the lamp.

Where were McCormick tractors made?

McCormick tractors were built at the former IH and Case IH plant in Doncaster from 2000 until December 2007, and at Fabbrico in Italy since.