Disabled clutch safety switch, Why not?

teg · Aug 27, 2011

I'm asking for it, and would *REALLY* like to know if this is stupid :anyone:

I have an L2800 HST (I would NOT do this with a gear transmission!!!) - I use larger tractors that you don't have to use the clutch to start, why not my small one? If the hst pedal is depressed, it's not going to start anyway. If the pto is on, it's not going to start either. Seat sensor is not tied to tractor start up.

I start the tractor from the ground a bunch. I lean onto the clutch and turn the key to start it from the ground. That only works on one side... So, I made a short wire to bypass the clutch sensor... am I creating a safety problem or is there something I'm over looking that I should be careful about?

Legal Disclaimer, I would NEVER recommend anyone else to ever do this... and for those that say I shouldn't have done it or there's a reason for that Safety switch... What is it??? Thanks for any and ALL comments...

TripleR · Aug 27, 2011

I would be interested in doing this also unless as you say someone can come up with a compelling reason not to.

teg · Aug 27, 2011

TripleR said:
I would be interested in doing this also unless as you say someone can come up with a compelling reason not to.

Do you have to use the clutch when starting your tractor? Your tractor is so big... I don't think you can reach the key from the ground...

k0ua · Aug 27, 2011

Teg you do remember the clutch hold down catch (for long term storage to keep the clutch plate from sticking) don't you.? You could use that , course you would have to walk around the tractor to set it and then start it from the right side. or just reach accross while you are on the left side.. I suppose if the hydro pedal safety switch failed in the enabled state (unlikely I would say) and at the same time the hydro pedal failed to center itself (happens, but pretty unlikely) Well I guess it could run over you. The chances of those 2 things happening at the same time.. Uh.. 1 in a million?

James K0UA

teg · Aug 27, 2011

k0ua said:
...you do remember the clutch hold down catch (for long term storage to keep the clutch plate from sticking)...

Actually, I need to remember to use that catch more often

When I do start the tractor from the ground, I set my body as to not be run over if it did start to move. :thumbsup:

I do that because... (it's a long story, better get a beverage) I almost got run over by my own International Harvester Scout II (sort of a tractor "tie in" :laughing

. It had a sticky solenoid switch that I had to cross / bump with a screwdriver so I could started it some times (had to do it from underneath). I was dumping some brush in a dark area,

stopped the Scout to find a good spot... jumped back in to move it to that spot...

Didn't start, no problem... or better yet Same Problem!!! It didn't work...

it always worked... tried several more times. Finally got mad and held the screwdriver on until it cranked... THAT worked... come to find out later the reason my "trick" didn't work was that I left the truck in gear...:shocked:

So as I roll out from under near the Scout... and as it was rolling by... I get up on my feet and remembering that I left the door open since I was trying to start it sooo many times... I would just catch it and jump on in...

I got within 6" of grabbing the door, in full stride... the door slams shut and before I can think... why did that door close... I hit the same tree. Did I mention it was dark out??? :confused2:

After I got up... I found the Scout with it's wheels spinning in the air on top of another brush pile that someone else had dumped. I put it in four wheel drive and backed up and over the pile (along with several small pines) and drove home... with the brush still in the back.

k0ua · Aug 27, 2011

Oh gawd,, that is one heck of a story. Lucky you are still alive.:laughing:

James K0UA

teg · Aug 27, 2011

k0ua said:
Oh gawd,, that is one heck of a story. Lucky you are still alive.:laughing:

James K0UA

thanks... Someday I'll post about the day I put diesel in that Scout... :mur: Now, that was a comedy of events!

TripleR · Aug 27, 2011

teg said:
Do you have to use the clutch when starting your tractor? Your tractor is so big... I don't think you can reach the key from the ground...

I have to use the clutch on my L5030 HSTC, but not the M8540 it just has to be in neutral.

k0ua · Aug 27, 2011

teg said:
thanks... Someday I'll post about the day I put diesel in that Scout... :mur: Now, that was a comedy of events!

Write it up, I am always up for a good laugh, and I like your stories.:thumbsup:

James K0UA

slowzuki · Aug 27, 2011

The clutch safety is one I wouldn't disable. I don't have one on my Suzuki Samurai as its handy offroading to crank in gear but all my tractors have to have the clutch in or be in neutral. I like the safety mostly because while wrenching and having hands near the fan etc someone can't reach in to turn the key to acc for the radio and crank the motor over into my hands.

whistlepig · Aug 27, 2011

There is a reason that safety switch is there. I would find out why before disabling it.

teg · Aug 27, 2011

slowzuki said:
...tractors have to have the clutch in or be in neutral...

Again, this is a Hydrostatic Drive, not a Gear Drive.

teg · Aug 27, 2011

whistlepig said:
There is a reason that safety switch is there. I would find out why before disabling it.

That's why I'm asking... I don't see a reason for it. Hoping it could be pointed out to me...

Larger hydrostatic drive tractors don't use a clutch safety switch... why should I?

The fact is, I will most likely not put it back the old way unless I hear a compelling/logical reason to do so. Just trying to figure out if there is one. Such as; does starting the tractor with the pump engaged either hurt the pump or wear down the starter???

whistlepig · Aug 27, 2011

teg said:
That's why I'm asking... I don't see a reason for it. Hoping it could be pointed out to me... Larger hydrostatic drive tractors don't use a clutch safety switch... why should I?

The fact is, I will most likely not put it back the old way unless I hear a compelling/logical reason to do so. Just trying to figure out if there is one. Such as; does starting the tractor with the pump engaged either hurt the pump or wear down the starter???

I start my hydrostatic the same way you do. I stand on the ground, push the clutch pedal in with my left hand, and turn the key with my right hand. I let the tractor warm up a bit before climbing on. My tractor is small enough and my arms are long enough that I can to this with out standing in front of the rear tire. If the tractor would ever start with the hydro engaged I wouldn't be run over. But if I were ever sick or disabled and a friend or relative came over to use my tractor to help me out I would be afraid they would do the same thing and not stand away from the rear tire. That's why I wouldn't disable my safety switch.

Don87 · Aug 27, 2011

The only compelling/logical reason I can think of is what others have said...........there is a possibility that the hydro pedal could stick.

But with that said............I have no clutch, but I disabled the seat safety(acts kinda like your clutch), on mine. The reason is cause my 155lb butt would come off the seat while mowing and cause the tractor to shut off.

I, like you, can stand beside my tractor and start it. Safe...........in the literal sense, NO. But the chances of my hydro pedal sticking to full reverse/forward.........lodged somewhere squarely between slim and none(anything but full pedal deflection is safely dealt with).

With this said, mine is just a tad smaller than yours....even with my loaded tires, if I got really peeved, my 155lb butt could tip this tractor on it's side.

teg · Aug 28, 2011

Don87 said:
...there is a possibility that the hydro pedal could stick...

There is a safety switch for the hydro pedal that immediately shuts the engine off if you are not on the seat. I don't plan to change or disable that one. If fact, I like that one... even thou I have to push on the seat and the pedal to make it move while I'm standing on the ground. :ashamed:

I do that for hooking up implements.

Seriously, I've run a dozen scenarios through my head and I only think a mechanical reason *might* be a reason. If I only use the clutch for engaging the PTO, it might stick / rust up from not being used more or if starting with the clutch engaged, puts extra strain on the tractor.

Thanks for all the feed back, :thumbsup:

Qapla · Aug 28, 2011

On your HST, though t here may be many reasons for the clutch safety switch being there, the main reason could be legal.

The clutch may be required for the smaller tractors to free the manufacturer from litigation for the rare situation when a problem does occur.

Many of the "safety" devices that seem to have no "real" purpose are usually "legal" situations.

teg · Aug 28, 2011

Good point about it being legal... in that case, I really have no problem jumping it.

I assume that the clutch safety switch was "left over" from the older gear tractors, where, IMO, has to have the clutch safety switch. It was cheaper and easier to have it on ALL tractors and not have it different for HST models vs. gear models. Just a thought...

k0ua · Aug 28, 2011

Hey Teg, I bet a dollar you will still push in the clutch to start when you are sitting on the seat because it is "burned in" to your muscle memory. It would take a while to not do that. I would still push in the clutch so you do not have to spin the hydro when starting. I am sure you have noticed the change in the "note" of the engine when you let the clutch out after you have started it. There are bound to be some parasitic losses in the hydro when just setting there in neutral.

James K0UA