Disabled clutch safety switch, Why not?

[teg]

My L3400 DT (gear) has no clutch safety switch...

That surprises me... please ignore my (ignorant) statement above thinking it was "left over" from the gear models... *almost* made it a day without learning something new... Thanks

 

[teg]

...I sort of concluded that the issue is basically laziness...

I can not hide from the truth... personally, I would like to call it more of a "convenience"... it is really partly to blame on the hydraulic top link which has to have the tractor running to hook up implements (my controls are on the opposite side.)

Actually, this and the other one that mentioned about getting on and off the tractor to crank it up... I now have "limited" number of getting up and down from the tractor. Age is getting up there. (If I thought I was going to live this long... I would have taken better care of the ankles).

 

[teg]

...Bottom line...the risk is probably the same anyway...not meaning to say it isn't...

Actually after re-reading your thread... this *is* my point. IS there a safety problem? What is the risk since other tractor models don't have a clutch safety switch and there are other safety switches to prevent it from moving or starting with the PTO on... WHY is it there?

BTW, it is disabled and will most likely stay that way... unless it is a safety problem. I do like starting from the left side (which is why I cut my FEL lever down 8" so I can mount her from that side)

 

[slowzuki]

No park brake required? Surprising in a world of lawyers.

My B3200 you can start without being on the tractor. As long as the PTO's are disengaged and the HST pedal is neutral, it will start.

 

[slowzuki]

I'm not a safety guy, I have my seat switch disabled, but I can't bring myself to be starting the tractor from the ground. I'm got more time around ag sized stuff than the lawnmower end of things and keying that switch you are immediately in front of a rear tire than will run you over if it does move.

The pto lever position switch is one little cheap switch. We've had several tractors that it didn't work on, was always fun when someone who was not you left the ipto engaged and you would start up the machine to find the snowblower/bushhog/baler/mower etc start turning.

I guess I can't let go an old basic principle of farm and shop safety from the days of no safety to rely on a few cheap switches.

Actually after re-reading your thread... this *is* my point. IS there a safety problem? What is the risk since other tractor models don't have a clutch safety switch and there are other safety switches to prevent it from moving or starting with the PTO on... WHY is it there?

BTW, it is disabled and will most likely stay that way... unless it is a safety problem. I do like starting from the left side (which is why I cut my FEL lever down 8" so I can mount her from that side)

 

[teg]

...The pto lever position switch is one little cheap switch. We've had several tractors that it didn't work on, was always fun when someone who was not you left the ipto engaged and you would start up the machine to find the snowblower/bushhog/baler/mower etc start turning...

My L2800 had a pto switch that even if it was in the OFF position would be engaged... have a nice trench in my shed from a tiller because of it. The safety switch did fail (the switch was "off" but the pto was still engaged internally). This would have made the tractor roll forward (slightly) but I do position myself sideways just in case it moves. Personally, I THINK more if I don't have to rely on so called safety switches. I'm fine with the seat and pto one... they make sense.

You usually find out someone left the PTO engaged after you start the tractor with the clutch depressed. I can not start my tractor with the PTO level in the "ON" position... and I like that (when it works)

 

[TripleR]

I presume the seat safety switch or brake switch takes over the role. A tractor that small it is not a big deal to jump on and off of to start it. To those with cuts/sub-cut's without a clutch, what is your starting procedure? Is it like a HST lawnmower, just have to press the brake?

On our BX, you don't have to press the brake or be on the seat, just turn the key.

Hi,

I have read this thread in the beginning and scanned it now but might have missed a reply...

So bear with me...

I sort of concluded that the issue is basically laziness...no effort required to start the tractor from one side (yes, I do that too sometimes...) but when on the other side, it requires walking around to push the clutch to enable starting while feet are on the ground.

Is it that much trouble to walk around the tractor? In my case I decided it is not..

Bottom line...the risk is probably the same anyway...not meaning to say it isn't...just saying that walking around the tractor to start it while the feet are on the ground is, for me, probably less effort than changing anything on the tractor.

Just a thought from this end...I do what you do...

Everyone is a bit different, I sometimes have to use a step stool to get on/off some of our tractors if I am going to do it very much and there are quite a few of us older guys with a lot of miles, so it is not simply "laziness", if we were lazy, we wouldn't be spending hours on our tractors instead of sitting on the porch or watching TV.

 

[TripleR]

Here is an old thread on clutch and HST, there are several:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-hydrostatic-transmission-clutch-purpose.html

 

[dfkrug]

I start the tractor from the ground a bunch. I lean onto the clutch and turn the key to start it from the ground. That only works on one side... So, I made a short wire to bypass the clutch sensor... am I creating a safety problem or is there something I'm over looking that I should be careful about?

I start my tractor from off the seat also, since many times I do not
drive it anywhere (lifting things, running stationary implements, etc.).

Check out the thread that TRIPLER linked to above.

Note that the start safety offered by the foot clutch does has some
value if your tractor lets you start with the PTO already engaged. Many
do not, but mine does. That said, I long ago disabled my clutch safety
switch on my HST tractor and much prefer it that way.

My CK30 has ONLY a foot-clutch safety switch, and nothing else. The
supposedly same tractor from Bobcat has a foot clutch safety, seat
presence switch, PTO switch, go-pedal switch, and brake switch. To
manage it all, there is an interlock controller under the seat. What a mess.

Everyone has to decide how much "safety" they want, and proceed
accordingly. (I don't use my safety belts either, but don't tell anyone.)

 

[teg]

(I don't use my safety belts either, but don't tell anyone.)

Oh, Good Lord... what a BIG can of worms you've opened!!! :laughing:

When the pucker factor hits 7 or 8 and the seat begins to get sucked up... I'll attach my seat belt.