Mowing X500 Mowing

[catsron]

I recently bought a X500 with the 54" deck to replace my tried and true JD 140 of 30 years. Right now I'm not so sure I wouldn't have been more satified with a complete restoration/repowering of the 140. The 140 was all hand controls which were a savings on old knees and hips. You can start the 140 and creep it forward or back to hook up to attachments without being in the seat. The brake on the X500 is in an awkward position. The RIO system that disengages the mower when you go in reverse makes no sense at all to me. The 140 you engage the clutch when you start mowing and don't disengage until you are ready to get off (never had it replaced). The 500 you are re-engaging at every square corner. I'm sure the RIO system is something I'll get used to but it seems right now it is future planned repair by JD. Looking for comments from other X500 owners.

 

[ctlguy]

RIO stands for "lawsuit driven safety feature" we can thank the lawyers for this not Deere.

 

[Scooby074]

i have a 540.

Great machine. THe lawyer switches are a pain. With some "creative" engineering you can bypass them.

Lifting up on the deck engagement switch will over-ride the Reverse interlock and have no bearing on forward mowing. LIFTING UP.. Think about it

The brake is in a high position ill agree, but i hardly use it. With the reverse over-ridden, i could just use the reverse pedal as a brake, assuming i over-rode the RIO.

With some thinking the seat switch can be bypassed as well, so you can leave the machine running and step off to hook up or move stuff and save wear on the batt and starter. And tap the proper pedals to move in the direction you want

Not that I would ever do this or recommend anyone even consider trying:thumbsup:

 

[Gator6x4]

RIO stands for "lawsuit driven safety feature" we can thank the lawyers for this not Deere.

Not defending Lawyers....But RIO was caused by someone backing over a child. One should never operate machinery without knowing what they are doing, who's behind or in front of them and always look where they are going either forward or backwards and making sure no one will be injured or killed. No way to legislate or insure this trait in a human so they attack the machine and install safety interlocks to insure the operator does nothing to injury himself or others.

 

[ctlguy]

Not defending Lawyers....But RIO was caused by someone backing over a child. One should never operate machinery without knowing what they are doing, who's behind or in front of them and always look where they are going either forward or backwards and making sure no one will be injured or killed. No way to legislate or insure this trait in a human so they attack the machine and install safety interlocks to insure the operator does nothing to injury himself or others.

By all means read as much as you like into my statement. But it was stated mostly to point out that I did not believe it was added to increase parts sales by a mfg as said in initial post. I did not see the point in ref the absolutly horrible things that can happen when not paying attention when operating any equipment. In any case I will call a draw and say we are both right. Added to avoid lawsuites (valid claim), added to avoid injury to others (valid claim).

 

[Scooby074]

Not defending Lawyers....But RIO was caused by someone backing over a child. One should never operate machinery without knowing what they are doing, who's behind or in front of them and always look where they are going either forward or backwards and making sure no one will be injured or killed. No way to legislate or insure this trait in a human so they attack the machine and install safety interlocks to insure the operator does nothing to injury himself or others.

I agree.. but PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!!!

Thats the issue. Back over your kid.. sue the company for millions. How is it Deere's (or kubota's, or craftsman's or mtd's or .. or .,..or) fault?

Put your kids in the house when operating machinery! I do. Or I ensure that they are on the other side or under the direct supervision of their mother. Plus i look where im going, forward OR back. If anything happened to my kids its MY fault, not deeres.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I have an X534 and I can't remember the last time I used the brake! My property is mostly level so I really don't use the brakes. As far as the RIO I guess I am just used to it by now.

 

[catsron]

Everyone: Thanks for all the feedback. I've been in the construction business for 40 years and know full well what generated the RIO system. As to my comment about JD wanting planned replacement for the electric clutch due to the RIO, that was done "tongue in cheek" from my frustration with the system. I only use the brake for starting, and that gets tiresome after getting on and off the machine picking up branches, moving lawn furniture, etc. I'll get a rainy afternoon and look to see how to by pass the permissives and all will be good.

 

[Jimt76]

If you lock the brake the tractor will not die when you get off the seat

 

[2manytoyz]

All I know about electrical wiring is it can shock the *** out of you. I used a wire tie on my L130 switch under the seat. It keeps the button depressed all the time so you can leave seat without engine shutting off. Blades stay engaged as well. The RIO switch I just got used to.