Caught Being Not so Safe Today- Warning

[drivadesl]

I was using the TN-70 to clear the driveway of snow today. I was off the tractor to do something. Left the tractor running, but I was right near it so went back to the tractor decided to shut it down. Rather than step up to the open cab, and turn the key off, without thinking I reached from the opposite side to turn the key. Had my leg against the front of the rear tire at the same time. STOP!!! What the heck am I doing, I thought. If I was to hit the shuttle into gear I'd of had time to hear my leg bones break, just before the machine would have drove right over me!! Served as a good warning and reminder, it only takes a moment of stupidity to put yourself in a bad situation.

 

[PILOON]

Had you bypassed the seat safety switch?
I thought they were mandatory on newer tractors.

 

[drivadesl]

The tractor is new in 2008. No safety shutoff switch, just a beeper if you leave the seat without the parking brake engaged.

 

[Soundguy]

My Nh 7610s doesn't even have a beeper..

soundguy

 

[pitt_md]

The tractor is new in 2008. No safety shutoff switch, just a beeper if you leave the seat without the parking brake engaged.

I think you will find that if you get out of the seat while in gear and the shuttle in any position except nutral that it will die. Kubota's work that way.

 

[drivadesl]

I've stood up while in gear, going slowly of course, to ensure the forks, or bucket hit the target and tractor did not shut down. The beeper did beep though. Actually that would make sense wouldn't it, I would think everyone haunches up once in a while to peer over the hood at obstacles or whatever, and if the tractor died, that wouldn't be to convenient. Just got to be aware.

 

[derekuk101]

I've always wondered about the safety of the hydraulic shuttle on our Kubota 8540. I don't believe our Kubota has any safety features to keep it from engaging if you're not sitting down. There have been times when I jump on the tractor and engage the shuttle before I sit down, and it begins to move before I'm seated.

 

[Soundguy]

Seems to be lots of difference between manufacturers and models.. some have only the most basic operator presence systems.. some have plenty of 'consumer protection' built into them..

soundguy

 

[drivadesl]

Sure seems that way. With my SGAG Wildcat ZTR mower, before you can start the enginet, you have to be in the seat, the brake engaged, the PTO off, and the stearing levers must be at home position (meaning you can't start the hydraulic motor drives). If you leave the seat with it running, the seat switch will cause it to shut down, as will not having the levers at home position. Only way you can leave the seat without shutting the engine, is disengage the PTO, levers home, and brake engaged. It gets to where you don't want to leave the seat to move some kids toy out of the way, you either avoid it, or shred it.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm all for safety.. but IMHO.. safety happens on that thing up on your shoulders that your hat sets on... not in an operators presence switch/kill circuit.

I'm just as happy with my tractors and only the most basic of protection ( inconvienience ).. like a neutral start interlocked ignition switch.

the seat and pto stuff is a bit much...for me anyway..

soundguy

 

[JB4310]

I've stood up while in gear, going slowly of course, to ensure the forks, or bucket hit the target and tractor did not shut down. The beeper did beep though. Actually that would make sense wouldn't it, I would think everyone haunches up once in a while to peer over the hood at obstacles or whatever, and if the tractor died, that wouldn't be to convenient. Just got to be aware.

I can't on my e-hydro JD, it's a real problem trying to engage a pallet with the forks. But at least I can get off the thing with it running without going thru some religious ritual, like on my JD garden tractor, even with out the pto on I still have to push the brake and engage the parking brake lever to get off the machine. And it's a hydra to, not likely to roll away, Don't have to push/pull a bunch of levers like the wizard of oz behind the curtain just to mow in reverse though, that's got to be the worst.

I'm waiting for anti lock brakes, say goodbye to your split brake levers!

JB.

 

[Soundguy]

Split brakes have alot more use than to uh.. be antilock brakes (??)

Steering help, and power transfer if you don't have diffy lock.

soundguy

 

[JB4310]

Split brakes have alot more use than to uh.. be antilock brakes (??)

Steering help, and power transfer if you don't have diffy lock.

soundguy

Not sure what your saying, but I was being sarcastic,

As what an idiotic idea it would be to have anti lock brakes on something that utilizes skid steering, such as tractors and bobcats.

I think we agree?

JB.

 

[Soundguy]

Yes.. we agree... a smiley face or two might have helped clarify your point as humor.

soundguy

 

[JB4310]

I'm not big on the use of those emoticons, I do know how to do the smiley and frown face, that's about it though, can't figure out how to do those other expressions. :O

JB.

 

[Soundguy]

hit advanced...

soundguy

 

[slowzuki]

My L5030HSTC Kubota has the seat presence kill switch. Absolutely useless in rough ground and a pain when using forks. Its been temporarily disabled.

 

[Oldchuck]

My L5030HSTC Kubota has the seat presence kill switch. Absolutely useless in rough ground and a pain when using forks. Its been temporarily disabled.

My 2008 L4400HST is probably set up the same as yours. If your foot is off the HST peddle you can stand up with the motor running, check what you're doing, get off the tractor, etc. Touch the peddle and you have about a second before it dies. If you're not seated and engage the PTO it dies unless you have the seat tipped forward. Tractor won't start unless you are seated and the clutch is engaged. Took a while to get used to but it seems like a pretty good system. Had the most trouble forgetting the PTO thing when off the machine operating the logging winch. I'll still forget that one once in a while. I'm not disengaging any of it. Better I do the adapting than defeat the safety systems.

 

[patrick_g]

My 2001 Kubota has safety switches that require you to hold the clutch down, have your foot off the hydrostat pedal, and have the PTO disengaged in order to start the engine.

Once it is running it continues to run till switched off (or runs out of fuel) with no consideration to any other conditions. If there was no provision to allow the engine to run with the operator out of the seat, there would be after I got through with it. I wouldn't mind the engine switching off if I left my seat while on "cruise control" but if the hydrostat pedal is in neutral I want to be able to run the engine.

What a PITA if every time I dismount to open a gate, drive through, dismount to close the gate, dismount to cut the net or string off a bale and on and on the engine is shut off. I wouldn't even complain too loudly if the PTO had to be disengaged before leaving the seat to keep the engine running but there should be a way to keep the engine running when you are out of the seat.

Pat

 

[Lunk]

I'm all for safety.. but IMHO.. safety happens on that thing up on your shoulders that your hat sets on... not in an operators presence switch/kill circuit.

I'm just as happy with my tractors and only the most basic of protection ( inconvienience ).. like a neutral start interlocked ignition switch.

the seat and pto stuff is a bit much...for me anyway..

soundguy

Agreed.

Ignition interlock is the only safety-nanny on my Branson...

My Mom has a CC hydro lawnmower that disengages the blades whenever you touch the reverse pedal. Then you have to flip the electric PTO switch to start them up again to continue mowing. 250 hrs - On her third PTO switch.

Needless to say - When I help her out, it's BMOM (Bing My Own Mower) time.