L39 Seat Kill Switch Opinions

[tnuke]

Firstly what the right acronym/name for the seat kill switch?

Secondly, the thing drives me nuts. I happen to use forks quite a bit and am prone to stand or lean to see what i'm doing and BAM the engine dies because I take my weight off of the seat.

I'm sure there are lots of opinions varying from the safety/warranty guys to the those who mod their tractor to their hearts content.

Ideally I would like to be able to easily turn off the seat kill switch, put a delay on it or at the very least make it less sensitive.

Any opionions/ideas?

TIA
Tim

L39
________________________________
When your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

 

[_RaT_]

If it's it you operating it, I would do as you see fit. I personally would not have an issue doing it. As you mention, a bypass switch would perhaps be best. It could even be one that requires a key if you have concerns. We should know the inherent dangers regarding tractor operation. The numerous stickers plastered on much of the tractor have undoubtedly been brought about for various reasons, I'm sure some from folks doing stupid things. The seat safety switch obviously has its reasons for being there. On the other hand, if you are familiar with what you are doing and feel comfortable about bypassing it either by a switch or a jumper, I personally would do it. Its a matter of risk assessment. Some folks will argue its wrong to bypass the seat switch, its there to save your life, thats within their right to express such a conviction, I don't think of it as wrong, I think of it as they know their level of risk and are comfortable with it. My opinion is its a small risk that can make other operations such as the one you mention, safer. You have to be the judge.

 

[radair]

I would also like to bypass the seat switch on my BX, the thing drives me crazy. I'm sure it's there for a purpose, but the negative outweighs the positive in my mind.

 

[SkyPup]

They are extremely simple to defeat, just cut the wires in two and solder them both together.

But I will NOT be doing that on either our L-3130 or L-39 since the seat kill switch has already saved our lives a couple of times now.

Killing the seat kill switch has a good chance of killing you.... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

But if you absolutely positively cannot stand the thought of your personal injury attorney NOT being able to collect a single penny from Kubota after you are injured or killed, be sure to remove the switch and check and see if your life insurance policy will pay under these circumstances.... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[JimMorrissey]

Nuke,

I'm not going to by-pass my seat switch, just in case..... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif However, I do agree with you that it is a royal pain in the butt! The slightest lift in the seat and the engine dies....this has happened to me while placing dirt on a large pile I drove up on with the front tires and the engine dies, then the machine rolls quickly backwards due to the slope....where is the safety there? It's a stupid switch that was designed incorrectly by Kubota. It's way too sensitive and is a danger in my opinion, yet I'll leave it as is and get used to it.

 

[_RaT_]

<font color="blue"> But if you absolutely positively cannot stand the thought of your personal injury attorney </font>

You have a personal injury attorney? That would be disappointing. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I think saying "Killing the seat kill switch has a good chance of killing you.... " is quite absurd.

Now if you said getting in the car and returning has one of the highest odds of returning home alive, I might be able to swallow that.

 

[SkyPup]

Rat, my seat kill switch has saved my life twice now, so I do NOT consider it absurd.

Besides, it only functions when the machine is in gear.

 

[_RaT_]

<font color="blue"> Rat, my seat kill switch has saved my life twice now, so I do NOT consider it absurd. </font>

See Thom, this is what I call "spin". What I called absurd was the part where you said killing the seat kill switch has a good chance of killing you. You in this case being the general public reading the post, not you in the personal sense.

Perhaps they need a sensor that would not allow the operator to even start the engine unless the seat belt was securely strapped to the operator thus eliminating the seat kill switch entirely. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PS, my seat kill switch is still intact on my L3830 HST. I don't have the need to get off the seat, but if I did, I would consider it. In the end, I think it is a matter left up to the individual. The idea of doing it such that it can only be done with you as the operator appeals to me as I would never want to make inoperable something that has the potential of making something safer.

 

[slowzuki]

I zip tied the switch down on our 5030. It was driving me crazy. If employees were using the machine I would restore it.

 

[SkyPup]

I did kill the seat switch on my ZD-21 and solder the wires together permanently. And also removed the kickstand kill switch on all four of my motorcycles too! Just wish my Arabian horse had come with a seat switch on him...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif