PTOs and SubCompacts

[gtrippleb]

I'm wondering if all sub compacts are this way or if it's just the ccy sc2400.

I picked up a chipper this week and finally got it hooked up. I go to use it, turn on the PTO and start to get off the seat and the tractor shuts down. So I start the tractor back up and once again turn the PTO on and lift out the seat. Once again, the tractor shuts off. I'm thinking to myself is there some lever or button I need to push/move in order to use my chipper? So I come inside, get the manual out. Looking in the manual, it says NOTE: This tractor cannot drive the Power Take Off (pto) unless the operator sits in the seat. When the operator leaves the seat while the Power Take Off (pto) is engaged, the safety interlock system stops the implement and the engine. So according to Cub Cadet, in order to use my chipper, I have to have someone sitting on the seat while I stand and load branches into the chipper. Either that, or I have to (don't tell no one) bypass the safety switch in order to use my chipper.

I see quite a few people using pto chippers with their scuts so my question is:
1. Do you have someone sitting on the seat while chipping?
2. Did you bypass the safety interlock switch?
3. Do other brands allow the PTO to work without someone on the seat?

I understand the safety issues but I know someone isn't going to want to sit on the seat for an hour or two while I chip up some branches.

 

[dex3361]

O my BX1500 you tilt the seat forward and then engage the PTO and there is a bypass switch that engages when the seat tilts forward.

 

[kennyd]

On my JD 4110, you raise the seat and pull the seat switch UP for off-seat PTO use. Some other JD (smaller and economy) models do not allow it just like yours without "alteration" or "modification"

 

[gtrippleb]

After a "modification" the chipper works pretty good.

 

[ayelvington]

I have a very full tool pouch on the back of my seat that adds enough weight to fool the switch, Yeah, it used to bug me too, and I drove around with a rock in the FEL for a while

 

[RoyJackson]

You have to bypass that seat safety interlock...not recommended, but a weight on the seat is the easiest thing to do.
I don't understand why some manufacturers (including Deere) do this. It reduces the usefulness of the tractor and it doesn't seem like a low cost item like that seat switch could save much money (in manufacture).

 

[TripleR]

You have to bypass that seat safety interlock...not recommended, but a weight on the seat is the easiest thing to do.
I don't understand why some manufacturers (including Deere) do this. It reduces the usefulness of the tractor and it doesn't seem like a low cost item like that seat switch could save much money (in manufacture).

Agreed, my brother "modified" his and wound up chasing it across a field; once captured he reversed his "improvement".

 

[gtrippleb]

It would be nice to have a seat bypass switch as like you say, it reduces the usefulness of the tractor. It wouldn't have cost that much to add one either. Some kind of weight would work too, like ayelvington said.

 

[RoyJackson]

Although it's never recommended to bypass a safety feature; if you do, make sure there is no way the tractor can accidently go into gear.
With a gear transmission, it's easy...just put the range selector in neutral (assuming the tractor has range selection...some old iron do not). Don't depend on just putting the gear shift lever in neutral.
With a hydro, I'll have to assume there is a neutral position in the range selector. Last (and only) hydro I drove was an old Deere 855 and I cannot recall if that had a neutral position.

 

[gtrippleb]

With it being hydro, it only goes if you step on the forward or reverse pedal. So when I'm chipping I put the parking brake on and lower the fel to ground tipping the bucket into the ground. I figure this way of somehow it tries to go forward, the parking brake should stop it. If the parking brake doesn't stop it, then the bucket will dig into the ground. I decided that once I'm done chipping, I undo the "modification". This way I don't have to worry about the modification causing any problems while I'm doing other things with the tractor or when the wife decides she is going to use it.

 

[RoyJackson]

With it being hydro, it only goes if you step on the forward or reverse pedal.

Your tractor's range selector doesn't have a neutral position?
I suggest you don't depend on just the forward/reverse pedal position.

 

[Runner]

On the my JD2520, you can't leave the seat with the PTO running. You have to start it then, get off, and THEN pull the switch. I'm pretty sure you can also start it while off the seat and pull the switch too, but you can't get off the seat with the PTO engaged or it will kill the engine. The transmission must also be in neutral...

Manual also sez that you can't run the mid PTO while off the seat at all, period, but I've never tried it.

 

[RickB]

NH subcompacts will operate the rear PTO without operator presence. The mid PTO will not run without operator presence.