JD 110 TLB Seat Safety

skidoo · Apr 2, 2009

I was digging with the BH on a slight up slope, i.e. FEL downslope. The slope was slight, perhaps less than 10 deg. At some point, I must have shifted my weight and suddenly the seat latch releases and I start to fall backwards towards the steering wheel. Fortunately, I catch myself by grabbing the roll structure. If I hadn't been able to grab it in time, I surely would have hit my head and back on the steering wheel. The seat belt just goes along with the seat! I can't imagine that it would provide protection in a roll over if the seat latch comes loose.

Anyone else experience the seat becoming unlatched while sitting in it?

jenkinsph · Apr 2, 2009

Yeah, I thougt it was latched and in the process of climbing over it flipped back to the forward position with me going for a ride. Live and learn, I make sure it is latched.

I am a quick learner with that sort of thing

More than likely you thought it was latched, it wasn't.

Steve

CurlyDave · Apr 2, 2009

Mine will not latch when I flip it over unless I run it forward and backward one time before flipping it over.

Even if it is back all the way, I have to do this.

Plus, I always check to be sure it is latched before climbing over it.

I am not huge, 6', but I have to get into a moving pretzel jam in order to climb over that stupid seat.

skidoo · Apr 3, 2009

I would have trouble climbing over the seat. So, I either step on to the tire and swing myself around or I get off and go around. It wasn't stepping on it that initiated the force. It was in the BH position first, and I sat on it. Obviously it wasn't fully latched at that time. But, it reminds me of the seatbelt issue I had with my 2520. At times, it would spontaneously pop out, then it degraded to the point where it would not even latch. JD replaced that.

This incident got me to thinking how secure it would be if the tractor tumbled over. How easily could the shock cause it to unlatch. If it did, the seat belt may hold me secure in the seat, but still flopping around... And, it sure flops over fast! Also, was thinking if it should be modified to provide a more secure latching mechanism, i.e. a second, manually engaged latch for backup security. I don't trust the spring force to keep the latch engaged.

LBrown59 · Apr 3, 2009

skidoo said:
Anyone else experience the seat becoming unlatched while sitting in it?

I read a post on this some while back.

AKfish · Apr 3, 2009

Mine has a real stiff spring on it. Unless it latches firmly; it will jump right back. At first, I thought it was being held up by the cable restraints that were making it difficult to snap down into the latch.

I moved the cables around but it's still hard to snap into position. Didn't realize until your post that there could be a problem...

Good thing I have to "slam" mine down to get it to latch into position. That spring could really help to give your head a good kiss off the steering wheel!

AKfish

skidoo · Apr 3, 2009

I took a closer look today. Slammed the seat into the BH position. Pulled on it; felt secure! So, I take a closer look underneath and the latch is just sitting on the rod rather than fully hooked around it. OK, so I had to pull the lever until the latch fully engages. I guess that needs to be my regular procedure. Like Dave says, I'll always check it from now on. If any of you have a 110 too, you may want to make that a regular check...

AKfish · Apr 3, 2009

One other thing I noticed about the seat. If it's too far forward (towards the steering wheel) it won't latch into the BH latch.

You have to slide the seat rearward (as Dave mentioned) and then flip it over before it will latch properly.

AKfish