Massey Ferguson GC 1710 Seat safety switch is way to sensitive and always tries to shut the engine off on bumpy ground

Mule76 · Mar 30, 2023

I have a Massey Ferguson GC 1710 and whenever I drive the tractor on bumpy ground (even just in the grass) the engine always wants to try to shut off when I bounce up on the seat. The seat safety that automatically shuts off the engine when you are in drive is just so sensitive because even when I barely bounce up it wants to shut off. The engine never shuts off but always seems like it wants to on every bump. I never have the issue when driving in a smooth surface like a street. It is really frustrating and can’t be good for the engine. While I don’t want to disable this feature, I feel like I have to, unless someone knows how I can adjust the sensitivity of the sensor, if that is even possible. Does anyone have any advice on how to solve this issue or can give me instructions on how to disable this safety feature? Thanks.

Mule76

MTGreen · Mar 30, 2023

The elegant solution is wiring a delay circuit with a relay and timer that holds the circuit closed (running) until you've been off the seat for a second or two. This requires some minimal electronics knowledge and likely mounting a small waterproof electronics enclosure somewhere.

The simpler idea that might work is spacing the sensor so that it is activated with less pressure on the seat. This can be accomplished by either spacing the sensor up so it's closer to the seat surface or epoxying a spacing block on top of the sensor actuator itself which would have the same effect. Maybe guess and check on optimal thickness before epoxying. Too thick and you may have a princess and pea type problem.

Snobdds · Mar 30, 2023

Zip tie.

Try it, see if you like it. If not, clip it...

WranglerX · Mar 31, 2023

Change angle on switch engagement by bending bracket...

Leif-Mindy · Mar 31, 2023

I put a piece of fule line on the switch of my 1835. I can move around quite a bit and shuts off only when completely off the seat.

S854 · Mar 31, 2023

The thread title piqued my interest as I’m able to stand on my Kioti for a few seconds before the kill switch activates… I’m guessing Kioti comes with the delay circuit MTGreen alluded to…

If this is the case, I‘ll second the delay circuit recommendation… it should solve you issues without defeating the safety switch… very handy when using things such as pallet forks, I can stand on the tractor to align the fork height to whatever I’m picking, while leaving the safety feature intact…

hube2 · Mar 31, 2023

Maybe it's something on the newer model, but there is a 2 or 3 second delay on mine before it shuts off. It's enough time that I can get out of the seat and off the tractor and be standing next to it before the engine quits.

As someone said, adjust the switch position. All of the safety switches are adjustable.

daman1 · Mar 31, 2023

Bend the bracket some or a zippy tie, you must be a light person

ray66v · Mar 31, 2023

This reminds me of the time a guy posted his wife wasn't heavy enough to prevent the seat switch from killing the engine, on bumpy ground.

I could live with that problem. Yes, it's obvious my wife still doesn't know my TBN user name, or password,

Yes, it's a safety item, and you are better off with it enabled. If you're not mechanically inclined, and or your wife & kids will be using it, you may need to live with it.

I second, and third, the zip tie idea if you work with dangerous equipment and tools all day, and are the only unsupervised user.

I do like that having it zip tied, allows me to be able to move the tractor a little, without having to climb up into the seat. That has come in handy a few times.