Snow seat safety switch

jonwar45 · Dec 3, 2014

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this question or not. Anyway, I bought a new John Deere D140 with mower and snow blower. It has an electric PTO (push/pull knob) to engage attachments. I disabled the RIO and now am trying to disable the seat switch. I pulled the switch apart and can now get off the tractor without it stopping. My problem is that if I am sitting on the tractor with it running the tractor shuts down when the PTO is engaged. The seat switch has 4 connections so I'm guessing it has something to do with that. Probably have to jump a couple of wires. Has anyone run into this same situation?

bja105 · Dec 3, 2014

I had bypassed my seat switch years ago, but it was a simple two wire one. After some reading on here, and seeing my kids in action, I reconnected it. I also suggest you keep yours in the circuit. There are so many ways to get someone hurt with safeties disconnected.
Good luck. Use your head, and don't do anything permanent, in case you change your mind, too.

Oaktree · Dec 4, 2014

The only safety switch on my tractor requires the clutch to be in for the starter circuit to work, and I'm OK with that. I did buy a rider mower a couple years ago that had a seat switch that would drive me nuts...my lawn is kind of bumpy in spots and going over them would bounce me enough on the seat so it killed the mower. Got old fast. As with the OP, the seat switch had 4 wires so you couldn't just disconnect it. The owner's manual had a wiring schematic, and I was able to figure a way to bypass the seat switch. As I recall I had to put a piece of electrical tape over one of the pins on the connector.
Sometimes they go a bit too far on "safety". I'm sure it's some sort of government mandate.

jonwar45 · Dec 4, 2014

I'll look for a wiring diagram and see if I can figure it out. All I want to do is be able to get off the tractor and have it still run. I always shut down the attachment when I get off. Right now I can do that. When I get back on and engage the blower everything shuts down. : (

jonwar45 · Dec 12, 2014

I found out it is not necessary for me to bypass the seat switch. Setting the parking brake will allow me to get off the tractor while it is still running and it won't shut off as long as any attachment is not running. This is good enough for me.

jimainiac · Dec 13, 2014

I know that many members of TBN think there's a special place in **** reserved for those that disable any safety switch, but the seat switches drive me crazy, so I'd like to share my remedy. The wiring in the seat switches can be pretty complicated, so rather than tinkering with the wiring, I've had good luck "fooling" the switches by keeping their actuators captive, with a strategically placed hose clamp or wire tie. That way the fix is easily reversible if I ever choose to mend my evil and reckless ways.

SandburRanch · Dec 14, 2014

jonwar45 said:
I found out it is not necessary for me to bypass the seat switch. Setting the parking brake will allow me to get off the tractor while it is still running and it won't shut off as long as any attachment is not running. This is good enough for me.

Glad you found the safe way.

Those switches that appear to have 4 wires are dual purpose switches. One pair of wires completes the circuit for cranking and the second pair completes the circuit for the safety shut down system. In reality there are only 2 wires with each pair being connected by the switch contacts.

LarryD · Dec 14, 2014

I mow almost 2 acres and there is always something in the way. The dog never picks up her toys.

I jumped the seat switch to save a little wear and tear on the deck clutch. The drive levers must be in neutral (outward) and the brake must be set. But I can get off the front of the mower and move whatever and not disengage/engage the deck every time. If I ever get rid of the ZTR I can always put it back.