Disabled clutch safety switch, Why not?

jimmysisson · Aug 28, 2011

You could run a switched-in loop that goes to that clutch switch to make the circuit, and leave it off until you're ready to start. That way someone else won't get in trouble (if you hide the switch a bit). I like being able to start from standing on the ground as well, especially with PTO stuff. I depend on the neutral safety on the reverser to "protect" me. If I never get a more "advanced" tractor I'll be content.
Jim

whistlepig · Aug 28, 2011

teg said:
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:

The hydro pedal sticking has never been a concern to me. A valve sticking has.

teg · Aug 28, 2011

k0ua said:
Hey Teg, I bet a dollar you will still push in the clutch to start...

I will NOT take that bet...

for obvious reasons

and too be honest, I don't have a problem with the clutch if I'm in the seat. I just find myself starting the tractor from the ground way too often. Just to warm her up

(did that come out right?) Now I can turn her glow plug on, then turn the key (this isn't getting any better...). Before I had to climb up... well, you know what I mean :ashamed:

teg · Aug 28, 2011

jimmysisson said:
You could run a switched-in loop that goes to that clutch switch to make the circuit, and leave it off until you're ready to start.

Jim, that's not a bad idea and could also befuddle a would be thief... Easy enough to do. I'll think about that one.

teg · Aug 28, 2011

whistlepig said:
....A valve sticking has.

Could you explain that a bit more... which/what valve sticking???

and would a safety switch be involved or prevent this?

k0ua · Aug 28, 2011

teg said:
I will NOT take that bet... for obvious reasons and too be honest, I don't have a problem with the clutch if I'm in the seat. I just find myself starting the tractor from the ground way too often. Just to warm her up (did that come out right?) Now I can turn her glow plug on, then turn the key (this isn't getting any better...). Before I had to climb up... well, you know what I mean :ashamed:

Um.. well.. uh.. yeah. I know.

James K0UA

The Haymaker · Sep 5, 2011

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/safety/182396-another-one-shouldnt-have-happened.html

TripleR · Sep 6, 2011

We are talking about the clutch on an HST, so it's not going anywhere as there as there is still a safety switch on the HST pedal. Some HST models don't even have a clutch. My BX2660 doesn't have a clutch, but my GL5030 does.

slowzuki · Sep 6, 2011

I know, I own a hydro L5030. All the tractors I have owned or operated newer than about 1960 required the engine to be physically disconnected from the transmission while starting. Its a pretty important safety principle.

Many did this via a neutral safety switch, others via the clutch switch. I think its a good idea. The hst neutral switch is not the best indicator of neutral, I can creep mine without tripping the neutral and its adjusted quite well.

Second, in cold weather the clutch should be depressed as the main pump is quite a load on the starter.

I can only speculate that the numbers say its safer to start the machine from the operators position in all cases.

teg said:
Again, this is a Hydrostatic Drive, not a Gear Drive.

TripleR · Sep 6, 2011

slowzuki said:
I know, I own a hydro L5030. All the tractors I have owned or operated newer than about 1960 required the engine to be physically disconnected from the transmission while starting. Its a pretty important safety principle.

Many did this via a neutral safety switch, others via the clutch switch. I think its a good idea. The hst neutral switch is not the best indicator of neutral, I can creep mine without tripping the neutral and its adjusted quite well.

Second, in cold weather the clutch should be depressed as the main pump is quite a load on the starter.

I can only speculate that the numbers say its safer to start the machine from the operators position in all cases.

What does this on HST tractors that do not have a foot clutch?

Verticaltrx · Sep 6, 2011

Go ahead and disconnect it, Kubota has done away with it on the newer tractors. If they don't think it is necessary any more then I wouldn't either. My B3200 doesn't have a clutch safety switch (does have a clutch though.) Actually most of our tractors don't have a clutch safety switch, and never did. Those include a Deere 2550 & 5045e, Ford NAA, and Kubota M9540. They all have manual transmissions of one variety or another, but use a neutral safety switch instead. More useful on an ag tractor so you can start it from the ground.

teg · Sep 7, 2011

Verticaltrx said:
Go ahead and disconnect it, Kubota has done away with it on the newer tractors....most of our tractors don't have a clutch safety switch, and never did...

:thumbsup: That was my thinking, too. I tried starting with and without clutch to "hear" if there were any extra strain, I couldn't tell... I will still use it when it's cold out, at least for the first start. Thanks guys...

miller3980 · Sep 7, 2011

My 2011 B2320 does not have a clutch safety switch so I really don't see a reason for it.

Chilly807 · Sep 7, 2011

My L3400 DT (gear) has no clutch safety switch, it does have to be in neutral on the shuttle shift before it will start though.

I can start mine from the ground simply by turning the key, although Kubota says never to do that for safety reasons. If the neutral switch failed I could run myself over...

Sean

slowzuki · Sep 7, 2011

Does it require your butt to be in the seat via the seat safety switch?

miller3980 said:
My 2011 B2320 does not have a clutch safety switch so I really don't see a reason for it.

slowzuki · Sep 7, 2011

I presume the seat safety switch or brake switch takes over the role. A tractor that small it is not a big deal to jump on and off of to start it. To those with cuts/sub-cut's without a clutch, what is your starting procedure? Is it like a hst lawnmower, just have to press the brake?

TripleR said:
What does this on HST tractors that do not have a foot clutch?

xtn · Sep 7, 2011

NH Boomer. HST with no clutch. Parking brake must be set and HST pedal must not be depressed.

Verticaltrx · Sep 7, 2011

slowzuki said:
Does it require your butt to be in the seat via the seat safety switch?

My B3200 you can start without being on the tractor. As long as the PTO's are disengaged and the HST pedal is neutral, it will start.

Henro · Sep 7, 2011

Hi,

I have read this thread in the beginning and scanned it now but might have missed a reply...

So bear with me...

I sort of concluded that the issue is basically laziness...no effort required to start the tractor from one side (yes, I do that too sometimes...) but when on the other side, it requires walking around to push the clutch to enable starting while feet are on the ground.

Is it that much trouble to walk around the tractor? In my case I decided it is not..

Bottom line...the risk is probably the same anyway...not meaning to say it isn't...just saying that walking around the tractor to start it while the feet are on the ground is, for me, probably less effort than changing anything on the tractor.

Just a thought from this end...I do what you do...