Thinking about disabling the seat switch

Cat_Driver · Jun 4, 2013

I didn't even bother reading all the responses. I can assume there are a bunch of invincible Cowboys saying AW SHUCKS I disconnected mine 25 years ago blah blah blah. Doesn't take a Rocket Science ti figure this one out. They put safety measures on equipment for a reason.
But in the vein of allowing freedom of choice GO FOR IT.

While your at it, drive around with no seat belt, drive a motorcycle with no helmet, don't wear safety toed shoes while lifting heavy steel, always walk around with a loaded pistol with the safety on OFF, cut steel with a band saw and don't wear eye protection, never ever use fall protection when you're doing high work, and lastly leave the power ON when working with electricity.

Express · Jun 4, 2013

I can see both sides of the discussion. As for myself I'm a newbie to tractors and I think it be wise for me to live with the inconvience of the switch. We have to remember we assume liabilty for our actions.
Liability is how that switch got there in the first place and the price of everything is influenced by liability

kkirt1 · Jun 4, 2013

I'm still of the opinion that a seat switch on a HST tractor is pointless. Makes sense on a geared tractor to prevent a runaway. I think the seat switch came before HST and no one really gave it a second thought. I have - check one for disabled seat switch!

Wagtail · Jun 4, 2013

kkirt1 said:
I'm still of the opinion that a seat switch on a HST tractor is pointless. Makes sense on a geared tractor to prevent a runaway. I think the seat switch came before HST and no one really gave it a second thought. I have - check one for disabled seat switch!

I understand what you're saying regarding your (and my) tractor... We don't have cruise control. A lot of tractors today have this option and, however you were to come off the seat, the tractor would continue on its merry mindless way.

When my seat interlock activates I just assume that I'm about to do something dumb and re-assess the situation.

JerryK · Jun 5, 2013

My 4+ ton Mahindra 5035 HST has no seat switch, never did. In close quarters, when doing intricate loader work... I stand upright and work the pedals with my toes. In low gear of course. Gives me full view of the tips of my forks when positioning stuff. My 2.5 ton JD 2240 has no seat switch... never did either. The seat switch is a safety device, and part of the manufactures idiot proofing of the machines for libility purposes. Like the engine shut off on a lawn tractor if you try to back up whilst mowing. Why McDonalds has to have warnings on its coffee that it is hot. Why when I grew up we had real M80's, and now we have Lady Fingers and sparklers. No seat switches on my old Harley, either.... in case I fall off.

dave1949 · Jun 5, 2013

Real M80's, them were the days. :laughing:

I disabled my seat switch early on, I am the only person who operates my tractor. I stand up once in a while too while driving just to see better. Sure it is an added risk, but there has to be a reasonable balance between safety and usability sometimes.

I think my riding mower is more dangerous than my tractor, so that switch is still enabled, even though it can be a big pain sometimes. Fortunately, the mower has a "mow in reverse" ignition switch position. If you set the switch there and then push a button, it will mow in reverse. Has to be reset every time the blade clutch is disengaged.

scobrado · Jun 5, 2013

I like having the safety switch for field work even though my 3038E is HST. In addition to having an seat switch override for running the PTO when I'm not in the seat, the other real plus is when I have the forks on the bucket and I'm loading/unloading the pickup. I need to stand up a couple of times to get the alignment right. The seat switch is a real PITA for that scenario.

kevin37b · Jun 5, 2013

Ido not agree with all the safety switches at all . If you back up and someone is behind you , I dont understand how they would get under the deck . Then you have 10 miles of wire on a mower , and it won't start ? None of the machinery I run has all these safetys . They have a large BU alarm which everybody ignores .

Dr_Zinj · Jun 5, 2013

Here's my take on the seat switch.
If it works, don't mess with it.
If it breaks, don't sweat it; but modify your behavior to minimize the danger.
If it bothers you to have it broken, then buy a new one.

nitroxn · Jun 5, 2013

Overall I love this site. It has some great people and advice. However the legal and safety ****'s bring unnecessary bickering to the table by insinuating anyone who doesnt follow protocall to the letter is an idiot. With that said I have a temporary fix for my seat switch, I use a spring clamp to bypass or hold it in the closed position when I am using my backhoe. Sometimes I even forget to remove it for normal use. I am the only operator and would have NO problem removing mine if it ever gave me problems of shutting off on bumpy areas.

Curtis