lawn tractor switch

[D]

I have a new John Deere lawn tractor.
I like the tractor but it's got this annoying
safety switch system that will not let you backup
unless you disengage blade and further you cannot
get off the tractor with the engine running to move
something even if the blade is disengaged and the
trans is in neutral.
So I jumpered the seat switch and now I can get
off the tractor with it running but it won't let me
engage the blade without shutting off the engine.
The blade engagement has a switch also but I'm
starting to get a little confused as to how jumpering
the seat switch (which to me is the same as sitting on it)
would affect the blade engagement???
Any suggestions? Sincerely caged in by idiot protections

 

[Chris Dugan]

Sounds like there's some kind of logic circuit there or a relay that cuts
power to the blade actuator when the seat is unloaded. Why not fit an
extension lead and mount a toggle switch on the dash rather than jumper the
seat switch, then you'll still have that protection; just under manual
control.

I can understand the logic behind the system... fall off the mower and it
tips over; you coming the seat off cuts power to the blade so you don't get
mangled. Just don't sue them if it does eat your fingers as you've bypassed
the safety system.

Chris

 

[Bill]

On Sat, 30 Apr 2005 12:00:55 -0400, "D" <NoMail@NoSpam> wrote:

I have a new John Deere lawn tractor.
I like the tractor but it's got this annoying
safety switch system that will not let you backup
unless you disengage blade and further you cannot
get off the tractor with the engine running to move
something even if the blade is disengaged and the
trans is in neutral.
So I jumpered the seat switch and now I can get
off the tractor with it running but it won't let me
engage the blade without shutting off the engine.
The blade engagement has a switch also but I'm
starting to get a little confused as to how jumpering
the seat switch (which to me is the same as sitting on it)
would affect the blade engagement???
Any suggestions? Sincerely caged in by idiot protections

If it's like my JD tractor you can disengage the blade, set the
parking brake and then get off the tractor without the thing cutting
off.
As for backing up with the blade engaged, mine has a little yellow
push button on the dash that you can push as you go into reverse and
it will allow you to go backwards with the blade engaged.

wlb