Seat Safety Switch - A SOLUTION

[kenlip]

I am loath to permanently disable the safety switch, but definitely need a way to stand while using the forks and when hitching the FEL implements. Trying to press down on the seat with one knee while trying to control the hydrostatic pedal with the other foot was not fun. So, in desperation I came up with this hack and it has been working perfectly.

The ends of the bungee are fixed to the tractor. I pull the bungee over the backrest when I need to stand, and slip it off once I am ready to drive the tractor seated.

I am thinking of adding a tennis ball in the middle of the bungee - it will be a definite physical reminder to me when I sit down and lean back against the backrest.

 

[orange crusher]

Just unplug the seat switch on the bottom of the seat and use a jumper wire to bypass the switch.....................easey peasey !!!!!!

 

[kenlip]

Just unplug the seat switch on the bottom of the seat and use a jumper wire to bypass the switch.....................easey peasey !!!!!!

Easy peasy, but permanent. !!!!!!

Even 'easier-peasier' would be to simply use a cable tie to hold the switch lever down.

I wanted a solution that would allow me to stand for the intricacies of engaging the forks in pallets and hitching implements to the FEL, while being able to have the safety switch engaged when I sat down as was moving the tractor over more than just a few metres/feet.

 

[torch]

What about an electronic solution? A momentary contact button on the dash which engages a relay to bypass the seat switch, that in turn is disengaged when you sit back down again? Perhaps with a warning beeper or buzzer when the bypass is active?

 

[kenlip]

What about an electronic solution? A momentary contact button on the dash which engages a relay to bypass the seat switch, that in turn is disengaged when you sit back down again? Perhaps with a warning beeper or buzzer when the bypass is active?

That was my original idea. I started investigating whether, when the seat was vacated, the switch opened to stop the flow of current or if it closed to ground the circuit. As I lifted the seat to start to check things out it occured to me that I could have the problem solved in about 30 seconds, using a $1 bungee cord. At that point, the electronic options lost a lot of appeal.

 

[i7win7]

I wanted a solution that would allow me to stand for the intricacies of engaging the forks in pallets and hitching implements to the FEL

FEL implements sitting atop some pallets are much easier to connect

 

[old and tired]

So, you don't keep the bungee there, only when you need to stand?

 

[mikester]

Amazon.ca

I've been thinking of adding one of these countdown timer switches to the seat circuit in parallel with the seat switch. Press once if I need to do something at the edge of my seat and have it automatically reset after say 1 minute.

 

[kenlip]

FEL implements sitting atop some pallets are much easier to connect

True. But I still find that I need to stand to be able to see the couplings.

 

[kenlip]

So, you don't keep the bungee there, only when you need to stand?

Correct. The ends of the bungee are fixed to the tractor. I pull the bungee over the backrest when I need to stand, and slip it off once I am ready to drive the tractor seated. That is why I am thinking of adding a tennis ball in the middle of the bungee - it will be a definite physical reminder to me when I sit down and lean back against the backrest.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

just be real careful with the bungee ! They do NOT like the sun and will fly apart real FAST. MAybe the end only whacks you BUT you could lose your balance and oopsy....trip to hospital...

 

[GeoHorn]

Imagine my pleasure when I bought my ‘96 M4700 and found that it never had a seat-switch at all.

Why were seat switches considered necessary? Because people were starting their tractors without being mounted on the seat and running themselves-over with the tractor. The neutral-start switch takes care of that.

If I had a tractor with the seat switch...unless a mid-mount mower type.... I”d disable it permanently.

 

[Henro]

Imagine my pleasure when I bought my ‘96 M4700 and found that it never had a seat-switch at all.

Why were seat switches considered necessary? Because people were starting their tractors without being mounted on the seat and running themselves-over with the tractor. The neutral-start switch takes care of that.

If I had a tractor with the seat switch...unless a mid-mount mower type.... I”d disable it permanently.

Why the MMM caveat? Neither of my tractors has a seat switch, and both have mid PTOs. Cannot imagine why I would want a seat switch on either of them... MMM on the BX...Do not use the mid PTO on the B2910.

 

[GeoHorn]

Why the MMM caveat? Neither of my tractors has a seat switch, and both have mid PTOs. Cannot imagine why I would want a seat switch on either of them... MMM on the BX...Do not use the mid PTO on the B2910.

I have a lawn tractor/mower also and it has a seat switch which I have never disabled because to do so would allow the blades to be turning while mounting/dis-mounting and I don’t like the idea that some day my grandkids might try to use it. That was my thinking as regards a seat switch.

A mid-PTO Compact tractor may not have that issue.... I don’t know because I don’t have one. But if leaving the seat allows the blades to keep rotating on a mid-mount-mower.... I’d think that’d be a bad idea. YMMV

 

[johnjk]

My old B1700 has 3 switches that need to be closed for it to start. Once she is running, you can get off it with everything spinning including MMM. No seat switch. My B3200 was purchased used and had the seat switch jumped out. If I remember the previous owner's wife was petite and it would keep shutting off when she scooted forward to reach the pedals and that is why they traded it in.

 

[dirtydeed]

This was my solution to the problem of needing to stand occasionally while using the forks...I'd call it semi-permanent.

Normal position:

"fixed" position:

 

[Whistlin]

Just unplug the seat switch on the bottom of the seat and use a jumper wire to bypass the switch.....................easey peasey !!!!!!

have you tried this with a new generation Kubota...................old school generally does not work to by-pass the multi connected safety switches.

 

[WFM]

Much like the photo above, I used a zip tie.

 

[Whistlin]

Much like the photo above, I used a zip tie.

the switches seem to have changed...........the L3302 are like the gravity switch on a lawn mower.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Wasn't there a member that wired up a dead man switch to the loader lever? Just for this sort of thing. I swear I remember seeing it around here.