1600 Series-safety issue

clarityconnect · Jun 27, 2011

Looked over a 1643 today and really liked what I saw except for one thing, and that thing is a definite safety concern in my opinion. It concerns the shift lever for F-N-R that is on the left hand side of the steering column. It's way to long and could be easily bumped from neutral into forward gear by the operator when exiting the tractor. The only real safe way to exit this tractor when running is to also shift the range lever into neutral. And I have to ask, how many operators are really going to remember to shift this range lever in addition to the gear lever on the steering column before exiting a running tractor? Not many I think. It's too bad Massey didn't shorten this gear lever by 2 or 3 inches to avoid an accidental change in directional gears
that could result in a serious injury.

Mike476 · Jun 27, 2011

I'm sure that someone here on TBN who owns a 1600 series tractor (saving to get a 1643 myself) can elaborate as to whether they have found the lever to be a hazard or not. Having always driven gear tractors I can only say that I never get off my tractor with it running while in gear or in low or high range, both are always in neutral with the brake applied, just good practice. The shift levers on my 135 are located where they too could be bumped when exiting the tractor while running, which is something I try to avoid doing if at all possible.

Regards

browny · Jun 27, 2011

I have a 1643 Hydro and I have to put it into neutral before I get off the tractor or otherwise the tractor shuts off(when left in gear) because of the safety switch under the seat. I would imagine the same thing would happen with a synchro/power shuttle tractor, unless you disabled the seat switch.

irvingj · Jun 28, 2011

The 1600s are probably set up the same as others, and browny's right- it really doesn't take long at all to remember to put it in neutral, when all you have to do is lift your butt up slightly off the seat and it'll shut down.

If you're getting off the tractor and the lever gets bumped into gear (I've done this, too), same result-- it'll shut down. Even if a PTO lever gets bumped when you're not in the seat... it'll shut down. (Yep, done that, too!)

MFRED · Jun 28, 2011

It will shut down & there is a notch it sits in, it would have to be lifted & moved forward or reverse.

clarityconnect · Jun 28, 2011

Judging by all the replies that have been made it's obvious I didn't explain myself very well in my original post. I'll attempt it again. Here's the scenario I will convey and I hope this will explain it better.
You are mowing along with your brush hog and you want to make an adjustment to your 3pt linkage or you spot something up ahead of your tractor that you want to remove. You stop the tractor, put the shuttle lever (lever on steering column F-N-R) in neutral, disengage the PTO, drop your speed or Rev's way down, and will now exit the tractor. You haven't changed gears or the range settings at all. When you exit the tractor you accidentally bump the shuttle lever with your knee into the "F" position which will move your tractor forward. Here's where it can get touchy as you are standing up and the tractor pitches forward, which will probably knock you off balance and who knows what the outcome might be.
I think if this shuttle lever was shorter by about 3 inches this would eliminate any accidental moving it out of neutral postion. Right now the only really safe way to exit the tractor in accordance with the above scenario I have described is to also put the range or gear lever in neutral or shut off the tractor completely.

jlsmith · Jun 28, 2011

1st you should always set the break before getting off a running tractor.
2nd if you do bump the shuttle control, the tractor will shut off ( seat safty switch)
Ive been on a lot of the 1500 and 1600's and have not come accross this yet.

ctbigman · Jun 28, 2011

Have you actually tried to do what you propose? I think you'll find your answer when you are out of the seat.

browny · Jun 28, 2011

If the lever did get bumped into gear the tractor would shut off instantly. I have did this with my hydro when I wasn't in the seat and the tractor shuts down right away. If you did happen to bump the lever into gear when exiting a synchro/power shuttle, wouldn't you have to step on the gas pedal for the tractor to lunge forward or backwards?? I have never driven a synchro/power shuttle, but I wouldn't think the tractor should lunge when put into gear, I may be wrong though.