BX23 dead-man switch

[Phrede]

I have just noticed that I can leave the seat on my new BX23 with it in gear and the engine keeps running. It happens with the brake set or not. Not a good thing in my opinion. I thought that this should kill the engine. It will not start unless in neutral so the gear select switch is working.

Sound familiar? Any thoughts? A wiring diagram would sure help in tracking down the problem. What is "normal", kill the engine unless in neutral and brake set? How does this work with the seat pointed backwards?

I could return it to the dealer for warranty repair, but it will probably be quicker and easier just to fix it rather than schedule an appointment and pick-up.

 

[Jim_Becker]

My BX22 (and previous BX2200) operate in the same manner as you describe. I've never found it to be a problem. Personally, I HATE the switches they put on the new non-'hoe equipped BXs that kill the engine when you remove your weight from the seat. I can understand their motivation in this day and age filled with law suits, but there are other things that probably should be more important. IMHO, of course.

I don't believe the BX-23 has the kill switch that the other BXs have.

 

[Rimmer]

Aha! I see that you have never performed the Engine Start System Check as described in your Operator's Manual! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

In summary:

Sit on the operator's seat.
Start the engine.
Place transmission in Neutral.
Depress the speed control pedal.
Stand up (do not get off tractor).
The engine must shut off after approximately one second.

You can leave the seat with the tractor in "gear," but if you leave the seat with the HST pedal depressed, the engine will shut off.

Hope that helps,

 

[Junkman]

Rimmer....... this just doesn't make any sense to me... First off, you can't start the engine if the transmission selector lever is in any other position other than neutral! Second, if the transmission is in neutral, then the speed control pedal will have no bearing on the tractors movement because it can't go anywhere in neutral. Third, if you look under the seat of the BX22, and I am certain the BX23 is the same, there is no switch mechanism to turn the engine off. I don't doubt that there is on the other BX models, however, the backhoe would make a switch very impractical because every time you turned the seat around to either move the tractor or to use the hoe, the engine would have to be stopped. I seriously doubt that this would be acceptable to many operators. I know it wouldn't be to me.
If someone wants a machine with every known safety device available, then they should buy a walk behind lawn mower. Those manufacturers have finally made them almost idiot proof because they know the type of people that operate them as a result of all the law suits filed against the manufacturers.

 

[gsxr1100]

My BX22 does not have a switch and THANK GOD! My old John Deere 455 had one and it was so touchy I disconnected it.

I think junkman is correct. The switch would become more of a problem when using the backhoe since sometime you want to stand up quick to look at where the BH, stuff around it etc (at least I do).

I can even get off the tractor when the mower is running. Do I ever do it, no but I had to try to see if it worked or not.

PS. When in college I read about a moronic guy that picked up his mower (walk behind) and used it as hedge trimmer!!! Some people should not breed. You need a license to marry but not have offspring!

 

[Rimmer]

"this just doesn't make any sense to me... "

It does work that way, though. I think they have you do the test in Neutral so that you won't get flipped off the tractor when it starts to move before it stalls. I have tested mine both in neutral and in "gear" (the latter during a slight lapse in judgment -- I wasn't on the tractor, had it in either Low or High, and pushed the HST pedal with my hand!). Pushing the pedal with no weight in the seat stalls the engine.

Just thinking out loud here FWIW, as I haven't really studied it, but it appears that the starter motor lockout is tied to the HST range lever (IF Low OR High THEN No Start), while the engine "kill switch" is tied to the HST speed control pedal, independent of the range lever position (IF Forward OR Reverse AND NOT Operator in Seat THEN No Fuel to Injectors).

The Reference for my earlier post is:

Operator's Manual, Kubota Tractor Models BX23, LA210-1, BT600; Periodic Service of the Tractor / Every 50 Hours / Checking Engine Start System, pp. 66 and 67.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> I have just noticed that I can leave the seat on my new BX23 with it in gear and the engine keeps running. It happens with the brake set or not. Not a good thing in my opinion. </font>

Personally I have an issue with a seat switch. I don't have one in my car, or my van or my B2910. Or on my BX2200.

If I wear my seat belt and tip or flip the tractor, if it had a seat switch, it probably would not activate anyway, cause my butt would be holding the seat against the switch.

Why it is needed I don't know. Aside from the proactive protection against potential lawsuits.

I was relieved when I got my BX last summer and the seat switch was not there. Saved me the trouble of dealing with it... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Junkman]

I just went out to try and see if I could stall the engine with the method that you suggest and it doesn't work on my BX22, so I have to assume that this must be one of the changes between the BX22 & the BX23.

 

[Junkman]

Bill (Henro).... possibly Kubota should consider a kill switch that would be activated when the tractor exceeded 45 degrees from level? That way, when the tractor rolls over, at least you know there won't be any engine damage from loss of oil pressure. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RobMA]

On my BX-23 if I ride over very uneven, bumpy terrain and I happen to bounce in the seat, the engine will cut out for a brief second. First time it happened, I thought to myself that I was having engine problems.

It is correct that the HST pedal must be depressed. You can get off the machine while in gear and it will keep running.

- Rob