BX seat safety switch modification????????

[RonR]

I've read a lot of posts about disabling the safety switch so when you leave the seat, the engine doesn't die.

Based on the post where a BX rolled forward when Steven released the brake without having it in gear, I'm reconsidering my options.

I have had several occasions where I remount the BX on my driveway and release the brake prior to go into gear. My sudden starts down the driveway are a real wakeup!

Many times I need to step off the BX for a moment and then get back on. I know, I know, the SAFE thing to do is to set the parking brake, go to Neutral, step off/step on and reverse the process.

Maybe I want to add a switch that I can toggle off/on. That way I could leave the BX in gear, dismount, remount, and keep going. While off the tractor, the Hydro will keep the BX in place. I usually drop the FEL when stopping and pedal creep has not been an issue with mine. I am the sole operator of my BX and would not consider a mod like this if multiple people operated it. If any others were near the BX, I would not leave it without using the brake. I would keep the switch normally in the original configuration, so if I get tossed off the seat, the engine dies.....

Have any of you done this? Too unsafe????????

 

[notamustang]

Maybe I should not answer this but one of the tricks the dealer uses is putting the seat belt over the seat, push down on the seat and it defeats the switch /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif again remember who said this /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif <font color="red"> I also want to add I would not do this with PTO driven equipment </font>

Steven

 

[Mith]

on one of my lawn tractors i have put in a switch so if i need to get off, say something dropps off the trailer i can flick it over pick it up and jump back on the tractor without the engine cutting out.
when mowing i ALWAYS leave the switch engaged, normally i leave it engaged and turn it off when i get off and turn it back on when i remount.
you need to look with a multimeter at how the current flows when engaged and disengaged, i think mine was the engine runs when there is no current or something obscure.
my kubota has no seat switch so i dont know what id do on the tractor.
hope this helps

 

[radair]

I'm confused (at least that's what my wife tells me). When I get off my BX-23, the engine does not die, even in gear. If I unweight the seat while pushing on the hydro pedal, it will die. The only time I've noticed this being a problem is when repositioning the tractor while facing backwards in backhoe position (i.e. pushing on the hydro pedal with my hand to move forward slightly), it will take enough weight off the seat to try to stall the tractor. If I take my hand off the treadle pedal it keeps running.

Notamustang - thanks for that tip - sounds like it's just what I need for the above situation.

 

[DannyD]

If you get off the tractor or get up from the seat while the HST pedal is engaged it will stop, if you are not going in any direction it will run, but..............set a brake somewhere. Your neighbors will get a good laugh at you for chasing your tractor around the yard.

 

[RonR]

I think there are several configurations. I can't speak for the BX22/23, but my 2200, if I remove pressure from the seat, in Neutral or in gear, the motor dies.

I know from previous posts not all 2200's have this. Mine was new in 03, and that's what I got.

ron

 

[gsxr1100]

My BX22 you can engage the mower, get off the seat etc and the engine still runs. Thank god.

The only pitfall is that if you take the unit in for service, the dealer will not work on any item that have this safety features "un-hooked" (ROPS, natural switch etc) per Kubota.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> I know, I know, the SAFE thing to do is to set the parking brake, go to Neutral, step off/step on and reverse the process </font>

Well, I can't bring myself to join that school of thought! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I will ALWAYS set my brake hard, but on any kind of a slope, the HST will stay in gear.

Why, because I know what happens if the parking brake somehow releases and the tractor is in neutral. Now I will also set the bucket down and lower what is on the 3PH, and if the slope is steep, I generally will drift the bucket against a tree if one is handy so the tractor is not going anywhere regardless.

But still, I think odds are more in my favor OVERALL if I don't put the HST tractor in neutral on a slope, whether the engine is running or not. If the parking brake would come off for some reason, if the tractor is in gear and the HST pedal is centered, the tractor will at worst drift slowly down the slope, rather run away at break neck speed. (At least while the engine is running.)

Boy am I glad I don't have to deal with a seat switch on either my BX or B2910... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Come to think of it, I don't even shift ranges on a slope. I think I missed a shift between ranges one a slope once...been a while...still got the feeling I did not like the feeling... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Volfandt]

When doing BH work I put it neutral and let the stabilizers & FEL keep it in place then if I need to move the tractor I can use the dipperstick &/or FEL to move it around.

With the PTO engaged, if I lift up off the seat it'll die but the manual also states that one can lift the seat up and the engine won't die. This allows it run run stationary pto powered implements. I've not tried this yet so there must be another by-pass safety switch under the seat.

With only 21 hrs my BX is starting to creep so I've made it a habit of also setting the brake when I dismount w/the engine running.

I've owned & operated lawn & garden tractors for quite a few yrs now that would die if you get off the seat w/the pto engaged so I'm used to disengageing the pto to dismount.

Course I'm still getting used to having live power on the 3PH. I was used to having to engage the pto and now this has made it soooo much easier.

Volfandt

 

[Ken_CT]

I agree, there must be several configurations. My BX23 works like Radairs' does. I can move it while seated on the backhoe by reaching around and lightly pressing on the treadle with my hand, and the BX creeps, but if I press too hard it shuts off. It does not shut off in gear if I get out of the seat facing forward either, only when the treadle is pressed. If I get off the machine for a moment, I keep it in gear, but I always drop the FEL or blade and apply the brake. When I hear the whining sound, I know I forgot to take the brake off-again /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.

 

[TobyH]

Well, I have another configuration. I can get off the seat no matter what is on or engaged and my motor never dies. I can use my hand to work the HST pedal and move the tractor while standing next to it. I picked up my BX2200 used so it must be the safety switch was disconnected before I got it.

 

[Junkman]

I have one of the last BX22's to be produced before the BX23's came out. I can do anything with my tractor once it is running. On, Off, turn the seat, leave the seat with the mower deck going, etc. nothing shuts the tractor down. The only safety devices that I have found on my tractor is that it won't start if the PTO is engaged or the transmission selector is in gear. I have looked for seat switches, but they were never installed. I don't know what other BX22 owners experiences might be, but those are mine.

 

[dmartin88]

My BX22 works the same as Junkman's-- once started, it stays running regardless of where I am! Has worked this way from new, had it about 18 months.

 

[gsxr1100]

As I noted on 02/27/05 05:04 PM (look a few posts up). BX22 has no options like this, thank god!

 

[Tom_H]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Well, I have another configuration. I can get off the seat no matter what is on or engaged and my motor never dies. I can use my hand to work the HST pedal and move the tractor while standing next to it. I picked up my BX2200 used so it must be the safety switch was disconnected before I got it. )</font>

BX2200s don't have that stuff. You just can't crank if PTO is engaged or if tractor isn't in neutral. I think BX2230 does have all of it.

 

[dmartin88]

I miss what you're telling me I should have noted in your post or how reading it should have changed my reply? I read your post but was replying to the one from Junkman saying mine worked the same way and I guess the same as yours too? If you were trying to say my post was unnecessary since you had already stated how a BX22 works, then thanks for the feedback. Maybe I missed the point and that's happened before!

 

[Don_Sullivan]

My BX1500 has a seat switch that disabled various functions but it croaked a few months ago and i've left it in that blessed state (actually shorted out). This places a little more responsibility on me not to do dumb things but that's the way I like it.

One thing I particularly like is the ability to get off the seat, throttle the engine way down and engage the snow blower PTO. I can then use my retired mustard squeeze bottle to dribble bar oil onto the moving SB chain - you can hear it smile.

Don