Disable Deadman (seat) Switch?

[brianidaho]

I love my new L3240, my only complaint is the deadmans switch on the seat. In marginal conditions I want to be able to stand and see what's in front of me, or at least lean over in the seat and see just where the tires are going. The deadman's switch has shut the tractor down several times already, it's rather annoying. In my mind, this increases the odds of putting the tractor into a bad situation, and actually makes operation more dangereous. What do the rest of you do-just deal with it, or jumper it out?

 

[mjncad]

Jumper it out, that's what I did.

 

[farmall 560]

I say jumper it out , thats the first thing I did to my MF

 

[Chuck K.]

I jumpered mine, really handy when switching FEL attachments. I want to install a toggle switch so I can re-enable if someone unfamiliar is on the tractor which is rare but..

Personally I would only do it on a HST...

 

[JB4310]

I have HST, it's a pain with the forks on you can't stand up to see to engage a pallet, and drive forward, haven't got to the point of disabling though.
At least with mine you can jump off the tractor and it will stay running, no need to put it in neutral or set parking brake, that would be it for me, would definitely disable if I couldn't get off the machine.

JB.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I just unplug the little senser from the seat and put a piece of copper wire in it to make it "think" your in the seat.

 

[pitt_md]

"Jumper it out"

Bad idea! Sit down, put your seatbelt on and don't become another stat.
I didn't post this in the safty forum but last year that switch saved my *****.
Driving through a field and was using both hands to open a water bottle and not wearing my seat belt. I hit a big hole where I had removed a large rock and it pitched me forward fast enough that I flew over the steering wheel and off the side of the tractor. I grabbed the loader arm on the way down and clung to it until the tractor stopped. I got up and checked the tractor over and changed my underwear and called it a day.

 

[Johndeere3720]

When I unplug it it is to run a hay chopper and the generator. After that, hook it up for safety.

 

[WilliamBos]

Jumper it out. Ours actually ended up shorting out because it got pinched under the seat, so we clipped it off where it comes off the harness, and then looped it back to itself. It is a hydro, so no second thoughts of doing it.

 

[RalphVa]

When using my chipper/shredder, I use a tension cord to tie the back of the seat back to the rollover bar. I tried jumpering the seat switch to have the black button underneath the seat work like it does on some other similar series JD tractors, but the jumpover tie-ins didn't last. Easier to just tie the back of the seat back. That way, I can jump in the seat and run to another nearby brush pile to shred it.

Ralph

 

[radioman]

brianidaho- if you are saftey concious as the rest of us and want the best of both worlds of having the switch fully working and bypass when needed, why not put a mometary switch on the steering? When you need to stand up, but still need to hold steering wheel, you could press that switch making the switch think you still in seat (just like the post above jumpering it). If for any reason you fall off or something, the switch will kick in since you are no longer holding the switch. I'd rather have a momentary switch over a flip on/off one. If you forget to flip it back, then what? same with falling off, it does what you need to do safely to see better standing up but at the same time you are still protected. When you sit back down in seat, and let go of switch, you are still protected. I cant be the first one to think of this, but hopefully you get the idea.

 

[Redbug]

I have a Kubota L3830 which I disabled the seat switch. Just like what some of the others have said...Pain in the rear if you need to stand to see in front. However...that's a really good idea Radio and Chuck about the switch. Did not think of that. After thinking about it some more, the standard on/off toggle switch would be best for me. Full control. I will install my switch with a waterproof boot on the dash. With the boot, no problem with hosing things down, rain and mud.

I understand seat belts. It's about more than safety, too. Something has to hold you there as you bounce around without any suspension except in the seat. It's the only thing that keeps you there.

 

[brianidaho]

I have a Kubota L3830 which I disabled the seat switch. Just like what some of the others have said...Pain in the rear if you need to stand to see in front. However...that's a really good idea Radio and Chuck about the switch. Did not think of that. After thinking about it some more, the standard on/off toggle switch would be best for me. Full control. I will install my switch with a waterproof boot on the dash. With the boot, no problem with hosing things down, rain and mud.

I understand seat belts. It's about more than safety, too. Something has to hold you there as you bounce around without any suspension except in the seat. It's the only thing that keeps you there.

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm thinking I'll do the same as Redbug is suggesting-best of all worlds. My only issue with a momentary contact push button switch is that it becomes one more thing to keep your hands on, and distract you from what you need to accomplish. Only slight difference, I'm thinking a lighted waterproof rocker switch, that way when the switch is disabled the light will show up and indicate it. I think McMaster-Carr has some.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I believe you can get a switch that once you shut the tractor off it will return to normal(seat switch still works) Like the ones on kubota mowers with the reverse switch.

 

[mjncad]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm thinking I'll do the same as Redbug is suggesting-best of all worlds. My only issue with a momentary contact push button switch is that it becomes one more thing to keep your hands on, and distract you from what you need to accomplish. Only slight difference, I'm thinking a lighted waterproof rocker switch, that way when the switch is disabled the light will show up and indicate it. I think McMaster-Carr has some.

Check out Del City - Wiring Products and Professional Electrical Supplies and OTRATTW for switches.

 

[pat32rf]

A relay and a NO PB switch would give you a seat switch that reset itself every time you shut off the tractor. Any electrican could show you a wiring diagram...(its a start -stop motor circuit)