Ignition key question

[Jeff396]

Does anyone know why it is possible to remove the key from the ignition while the tractor is still running? Is it okay to operate the tractor in this position? I continue to pull the kill knob and leave the key in the run position. I'm gonna need another buzzer to tell me to look an see that the idiot lights are on and that I need to turn off the key. I am also going to need a buzzer to tell me to take off the parking brake.

Jeff

 

[ronjhall]

Jeff
That why a bought a 2910./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Key both starts and stops the engine./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif When I had my B7100 it operated like yours./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif The only thing that reminded me to turn off key was low oil pressure light came on after engine stopped. /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif Add a buzzer in line with oil pressure light. Radio Shack has some real annoying buzzers that sell for only a few dollars.

 

[Bird]

Jeff, on most gasoline engines, turning off the key turns off the electrical power to the spark plugs, and the spark from those plugs is what keeps the engine running. But with a diesel, there are no spark plugs, ignition of the fuel just results from the heat of the compression. So, to kill the engine, you have to turn off the fuel flow. Some use a mechanical kill switch or lever to shut off the fuel; some have an electric solenoid to shut it off (in which case turning off the key kills the engine). So, yes, you can turn off the key and remove it and the engine runs with no damage; however, you've turned off the electrical system, so your hourmeter may not be running (depending on which type hourmeter you have), the battery isn't getting charged and may get run down, lights may not work, and instruments on the dashboard may not be working (depending on whether they're electrical or mechanical), etc.

 

[ronjhall]

Bird
I forgot about the switch turning off Electrical system. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif I wonder why<font color=orange> Kubota</font color=orange> didn't change 7500 to key shutoff? Must be a cost savings./w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

 

[Jeff396]

Okay, the battery not charging was what I was wondering about. Definately wouldn't want to run it that way.

Thanks

Jeff

 

[Bird]

I think I forgot and left the key on overnight once when I had the B7100. Its hourmeter was just a clock and I went into the shop and heard a clicking sound from the tractor and found the key was on; guess I registered a few extra hours on the meter, but at least it hadn't run the battery down./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif Why Kubota makes some of their tractors with the solenoid (key) shut off and some without is a mystery to me, unless it's just the cost factor mentioned already.

 

[Kelvin]

A couple of questions:

(1) Regarding removing the key while the engine is running, is the key removal accomplished from the "RUN" position or is the switch turned "OFF" and then removed while the engine is running?

(2) Which tractors are configured such that turning the key to the OFF position will kill the engine? I figured that the key would kill the engine on all of the newer ones. Guess I was wrong.

Here are the answers for my Kubota tractors:

On my older B7100, the key position will not kill the engine; only the external fuel supply shutoff lever will. I thought that the key "OFF" position killed the engine on the newer B7100's; at least I test-drove one one time and thought that I remembered shutting it off using the key (I remember thinking that that would be easier for my wife).

On my B2150, the key will kill the engine. I rarely use the B2150's fuel shutoff lever. However, the key (while still in the "RUN" position) can be removed while the tractor is running. In fact, it falls out occasionally during usage. I keep a string on my primary key but lost my backup key once after it fell out. I thought that this was the basis of the original post.

Kelvin

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>is the key removal accomplished from the "RUN" position or is the switch turned "OFF" and then removed while the engine is running</font color=blue>

I've seen it done both ways on some tractors.

<font color=blue>Which tractors are configured such that turning the key to the OFF position will kill the engine?</font color=blue>

I have no idea; I just know some work one way and some the other.

I've never had the key fall out during usage. In fact, I've only removed the key from my tractor one time in the last two years and that was when I left it with the dealer overnight, and they asked me to bring the key inside./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Von]

Bird,
I take my key out only when I have the tractor on the trailer. Don't want it falling out while its being trailered. Hate to get where I'm going and not have a key to start the tractor!

 

[Bird]

I'd certainly agree with you, Von, but it's never fallen out while trailering and I've never taken it out.