Disabled clutch safety switch, Why not?

[whistlepig]

There is a reason that safety switch is there. I would find out why before disabling it.

 

[teg]

...tractors have to have the clutch in or be in neutral...

Again, this is a Hydrostatic Drive, not a Gear Drive.

 

[teg]

There is a reason that safety switch is there. I would find out why before disabling it.

That's why I'm asking... I don't see a reason for it. Hoping it could be pointed out to me... Larger hydrostatic drive tractors don't use a clutch safety switch... why should I?

The fact is, I will most likely not put it back the old way unless I hear a compelling/logical reason to do so. Just trying to figure out if there is one. Such as; does starting the tractor with the pump engaged either hurt the pump or wear down the starter???

 

[whistlepig]

That's why I'm asking... I don't see a reason for it. Hoping it could be pointed out to me... Larger hydrostatic drive tractors don't use a clutch safety switch... why should I?

The fact is, I will most likely not put it back the old way unless I hear a compelling/logical reason to do so. Just trying to figure out if there is one. Such as; does starting the tractor with the pump engaged either hurt the pump or wear down the starter???

I start my hydrostatic the same way you do. I stand on the ground, push the clutch pedal in with my left hand, and turn the key with my right hand. I let the tractor warm up a bit before climbing on. My tractor is small enough and my arms are long enough that I can to this with out standing in front of the rear tire. If the tractor would ever start with the hydro engaged I wouldn't be run over. But if I were ever sick or disabled and a friend or relative came over to use my tractor to help me out I would be afraid they would do the same thing and not stand away from the rear tire. That's why I wouldn't disable my safety switch.

 

[Don87]

The only compelling/logical reason I can think of is what others have said...........there is a possibility that the hydro pedal could stick.

But with that said............I have no clutch, but I disabled the seat safety(acts kinda like your clutch), on mine. The reason is cause my 155lb butt would come off the seat while mowing and cause the tractor to shut off.

I, like you, can stand beside my tractor and start it. Safe...........in the literal sense, NO. But the chances of my hydro pedal sticking to full reverse/forward.........lodged somewhere squarely between slim and none(anything but full pedal deflection is safely dealt with).


With this said, mine is just a tad smaller than yours....even with my loaded tires, if I got really peeved, my 155lb butt could tip this tractor on it's side.

 

[teg]

...there is a possibility that the hydro pedal could stick...

There is a safety switch for the hydro pedal that immediately shuts the engine off if you are not on the seat. I don't plan to change or disable that one. If fact, I like that one... even thou I have to push on the seat and the pedal to make it move while I'm standing on the ground. :ashamed: I do that for hooking up implements.

Seriously, I've run a dozen scenarios through my head and I only think a mechanical reason *might* be a reason. If I only use the clutch for engaging the PTO, it might stick / rust up from not being used more or if starting with the clutch engaged, puts extra strain on the tractor.

Thanks for all the feed back, :thumbsup:

 

[Qapla]

On your HST, though t here may be many reasons for the clutch safety switch being there, the main reason could be legal.

The clutch may be required for the smaller tractors to free the manufacturer from litigation for the rare situation when a problem does occur.

Many of the "safety" devices that seem to have no "real" purpose are usually "legal" situations.

 

[teg]

Good point about it being legal... in that case, I really have no problem jumping it.

I assume that the clutch safety switch was "left over" from the older gear tractors, where, IMO, has to have the clutch safety switch. It was cheaper and easier to have it on ALL tractors and not have it different for HST models vs. gear models. Just a thought...

 

[k0ua]

Hey Teg, I bet a dollar you will still push in the clutch to start when you are sitting on the seat because it is "burned in" to your muscle memory. It would take a while to not do that. I would still push in the clutch so you do not have to spin the hydro when starting. I am sure you have noticed the change in the "note" of the engine when you let the clutch out after you have started it. There are bound to be some parasitic losses in the hydro when just setting there in neutral.

James K0UA

 

[TripleR]

Many makes and models of HST tractors have no clutch thus no safety, so I question any real "safety issues".