Backing procedures...RIO question?

[tguil]

I am considering the purchase of my first riding mower...A John Deere X530. I will be mowing only about one acre of grass, but much of it is sloped and fairly rough. This mower may be "overkill", but I want a mower that will cause me little grief and although it is quite "pricey", I can afford it.

I have just realized that backing one of these riding mowers might be a bit "interesting". My yard is landscaped in such such a manner that when mowing I will have to go into reverse frequently to change direction and/or go around plantings, trees etc. Am I correct in assuming that I will have to use the Reverse Implement Option every time I want to back up to change direction? Will I have to raise the mower deck to go into the reverse?

 

[ovrszd]

It's a simple electrical unhook to disable the reverse situation. Most posters on this website with JD riders have disabled it. You should get some precise information from X530 owners when they chime in.

 

[jhonb]

I am a firm believer is safety options, but for the life of me, I think this devise does more harm that good. Instead of turning and looking back when you go in reverse, you are forced to lean forward and push the button which prevents you from looking back. I just don't get it. I put up with this for 5 years and last year I made a simple jumper to disable it. I still find myself pushing the button as it became habit. Some of these tractor forums get mad when you talk about disabling any safety device so I will not go into any detail. But it is very simple and if you don't have what you need you can get it at any hardware store for about two bucks Unless you want to splice, then it won't cost you a dime. I recommend the jumper so you can easily reverse this action. Search over on YouTube and you will find a video.

 

[rekees4300]

Don't know about the X530 but I have X500 that requires a lever to be held up or the mower's blade will stop. Guess it's basically the same on X530? I put a clothes pin on the lever that keeps it engaged. IMO the RIO is more of a CYA lawyer feature than a safety feature.

 

[jgayman]

My yard is the same. I mow in reverse as much as I mow going forward. When I bought my X500 that RIO option lasted about 15-mins. Returning to sanity requires a 2" piece of wire, two spade terminals, and 10-mins of your time. It does not require any modifications to the existing wiring and can be removed in 5-seconds if you ever need to have the tractor serviced by a dealer.

 

[Eric102]

A Bic ball point pen cap works on the X700s.

 

[beenthere]

On my X485 I just moved the bracket underneath so it would not be moved by the reverse pedal. Found it easy to do and didn't require finding out where to put the jumper wire (which I used on the 425, 445, and the 455). Was easy to find with the mower deck off looking up under and moving the reverse pedal to see what it makes contact with under there.

 

[k0ua]

On my X485 I just moved the bracket underneath so it would not be moved by the reverse pedal. Found it easy to do and didn't require finding out where to put the jumper wire (which I used on the 425, 445, and the 455). Was easy to find with the mower deck off looking up under and moving the reverse pedal to see what it makes contact with under there.

That is the easiest way.

 

[s219]

So has it gotten worse since my 2001-era LT series? On that vintage Deere, we just push the RIO button once after engaging reverse (or you can hold it temporarily while engaging reverse, then let up). Not too bad.

 

[rekees4300]

Will I have to raise the mower deck to go into the reverse?

On an X500 the answer is no. X530?

 

[coobie]

A Bic ball point pen cap works on the X700s.

++ 1 thats what I use.

 

[Mach One]

RIO is not a safety device, it's a "Liability Transfer Device", pure and simple. It transfers the liability of mowing while backing from JD to you the owner. I used a jumper to disable mine, and I don't lose any sleep at night. The jumper can be pulled out in a few seconds to restore the RIO function if desired.

 

[beenthere]

Mach One
Well stated. Simply stated explanation and right on the money.

:welcome: to TBN

 

[BBO]

I am sure the PTO clutch manufacturers LOVE this feature, because it will wear them out faster for sure...
CUB Cadet at least lets you push a button once and turn the key to another position to then mow the yard.
A warning light comes on, but you do not have to push it every time you back up.
It's not practical at all to mow a yard going forward all the time.

The seat switch does have some common sense use in the event you might fall off or turn the mower over.
So if you have any steep banks, it's best to leave the seat switch alone.

 

[jgayman]

CUB Cadet at least lets you push a button once and turn the key to another position to then mow the yard.
A warning light comes on, but you do not have to push it every time you back up.

Yes, that is a nice setup. I could live with that procedure. I wish JD would have used a similar RIO implementation.

 

[jhonb]

It's all about this litigious environment we live in. There are no accidents any more, just defective products or procedure. I laugh when I see a 1/2 page add for a prescription drug and then three pages of small print. this is one of the things that is wrong with this county today. We are still great, but declining. Judges are nothing but a bunch of political hacks that don't have the guts to nip stuff like this in the bud.

 

[BigBlue]

I just recently bought an X530 and all you need to do is hold the deck engage lever up while starting to mow in reverse and it will stay engaged until you go back into forward. You need to repeat this every time you want to mow in reverse. My solution is a key fob attached to the key and wedged under the deck engage lever. I can mow in reverse all day once that's done. At some point in time someone sued JD and now we all pay for it with this stupid RIO deal.

 

[Yellowfever440]

I think that is a federal regulation for the safety switches because if it was a brand or manufacture decision then every manufacture wouldn't have it implemented on there product. Otherwise you would hear about a mower that is with out all the safety features. Another big part of the problem with the world is the fact no one takes the blame for there actions. If the people that ran there child or pet over would of said yes I screwed up then none of these safety features would be on there and we would have simple lawn and garden tractors with a lot less wiring.

 

[beenthere]

BigBlue
It started when Sears was sued (and lost) not JD, and the other companies followed with RIO's. No JD lawsuit, IIRC.

There may be some local or state laws that require it (such as the left leaning CA laws) but I'm not aware if that is the situation.

Now the dealer insurance companies are involved in requiring that their dealers not allow a machine out their door without all safety devices in working order. That is done to lower the possible claims on the dealer that have to be paid by their insurance. So it is a vicious cycle.

 

[jgayman]

Now the dealer insurance companies are involved in requiring that their dealers not allow a machine out their door without all safety devices in working order. That is done to lower the possible claims on the dealer that have to be paid by their insurance. So it is a vicious cycle.

This is very important for owners that may some day take their mower to the dealer for some kind of warranty work or repairs. Any and all safety features will need to be restored prior to them returning the mower to you. Seat switches, RIO switches, mower deck chutes, etc. will all need to be in place. These can be very expensive to restore to proper operation and will certainly cause some unpleasant surprises when you pick up the equipment.

That is one reason to have all "mods" done in such a way as to be easily restored in the unlikely event you need to have some warranty work done.