Disabled clutch safety switch, Why not?

[jimmysisson]

You could run a switched-in loop that goes to that clutch switch to make the circuit, and leave it off until you're ready to start. That way someone else won't get in trouble (if you hide the switch a bit). I like being able to start from standing on the ground as well, especially with PTO stuff. I depend on the neutral safety on the reverser to "protect" me. If I never get a more "advanced" tractor I'll be content.
Jim

 

[whistlepig]

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:

The hydro pedal sticking has never been a concern to me. A valve sticking has.

 

[teg]

Hey Teg, I bet a dollar you will still push in the clutch to start...

I will NOT take that bet... for obvious reasons and too be honest, I don't have a problem with the clutch if I'm in the seat. I just find myself starting the tractor from the ground way too often. Just to warm her up (did that come out right?) Now I can turn her glow plug on, then turn the key (this isn't getting any better...). Before I had to climb up... well, you know what I mean :ashamed:

 

[teg]

You could run a switched-in loop that goes to that clutch switch to make the circuit, and leave it off until you're ready to start.

Jim, that's not a bad idea and could also befuddle a would be thief... Easy enough to do. I'll think about that one.

 

[teg]

....A valve sticking has.

Could you explain that a bit more... which/what valve sticking??? and would a safety switch be involved or prevent this?

 

[k0ua]

I will NOT take that bet... for obvious reasons and too be honest, I don't have a problem with the clutch if I'm in the seat. I just find myself starting the tractor from the ground way too often. Just to warm her up (did that come out right?) Now I can turn her glow plug on, then turn the key (this isn't getting any better...). Before I had to climb up... well, you know what I mean :ashamed:

Um.. well.. uh.. yeah. I know.

James K0UA

 

[The Haymaker]

Well, I won't judge but.....

I used to work in a lube shop. Obviously, part of the process was to start the vehicle and check for leaks before buttoning up.

So, here we are, my coworker standing in front of the vehicle, parked on a 4-post lift. The owner of the vehicle (Owner of the buildings brother) is by the left front, and I lean into the '86 Jimmy with standard tranny to fire her up.

As I turn the key, the owner gets "NO......" out of his mouth before the vehicle lurches forward. The vehicle went far enough to go halfway through a closed corrugated metal style rollup door, pinning my wingman in the nook between the plowframe and corner of the truck. Very lucky for him. I ended up pinned between the door,now against a lift post, and the rocker panel. I pulled so hard on the steering wheel, I bent it.

The idiot threatened to sue for damage to his truck until I mentioned how much my future lawyer was going to enjoy the fact he knowingly unhooked is clutch switch.

So, unhooking the switch might seem fine, but how long before somone unknowing of the feature being gone "stumbles" across the lack of this feature or you make a mistake?

To me, it's like disabling the safety on a firearm. YOU know it's done, but how long.....

 

[The Haymaker]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/safety/182396-another-one-shouldnt-have-happened.html

 

[TripleR]

We are talking about the clutch on an HST, so it's not going anywhere as there as there is still a safety switch on the HST pedal. Some HST models don't even have a clutch. My BX2660 doesn't have a clutch, but my GL5030 does.

 

[slowzuki]

I know, I own a hydro L5030. All the tractors I have owned or operated newer than about 1960 required the engine to be physically disconnected from the transmission while starting. Its a pretty important safety principle.

Many did this via a neutral safety switch, others via the clutch switch. I think its a good idea. The hst neutral switch is not the best indicator of neutral, I can creep mine without tripping the neutral and its adjusted quite well.

Second, in cold weather the clutch should be depressed as the main pump is quite a load on the starter.

I can only speculate that the numbers say its safer to start the machine from the operators position in all cases.

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