How is this a safety device??

[jymbee]

Like a lot of (most?) mower type tractors, our John Deere X748 diesel has a seat safety switch installed that requires someone to be sitting on the seat for the mower to operate. So ok, I can see how that could be considered a safety system. Falling off or just getting off with the blades engaged could present a risk in some situations. My personal choice was to overridden that system.

But how is the system that requires the operator to pull/push/lift some kind of button/lever (lift lever on our X748) to back up while mowing a safety mechanism? Or perhaps there's some kind of mechanical consideration I'm not aware of? I haven't tried to circumvent that particular "feature" yet but am considering it as I just can't see any downside to doing so. It just seems like an unnecessary step (and does work that well on our tractor presently).

Am I missing something?

 

[aczlan]

Its supposed to keep you from backing over someone (somehow). IMO, the Cub Cadet system (where you can either push the button each time, or put the key in a different spot and press the button once per startup) is better.
Aaron Z

 

[beenthere]

There have been children backed over with the blades running, thus the liability on the mfg's part to interfere with that possibility.. without doing something like Deere has engineered.
Mine is over-ridden, as I don't mow with children anywhere near my running mower when mowing.

But there are careless operators, non-the-less.
I made a U-turn in the road a few years back to inform a mower operator that his child being pulled in a little wagon behind his mower while he mowed the lawn was foolish and the child was at high risk of being injured from thrown stones or debris and could get an eye put out. He wasn't impressed, but hopefully gave it some serious thought after I left.

 

[Richard001]

I made a U-turn in the road a few years back to inform a mower operator that his child being pulled in a little wagon behind his mower while he mowed the lawn was foolish and the child was at high risk of being injured from thrown stones or debris and could get an eye put out. He wasn't impressed, but hopefully gave it some serious thought after I left.

As Jesse Ventura once said, "You can't educated the ignorant"

 

[RandyT]

It allows the manufacturers to say that you, the owner did an action that increased the liability of backing over your child and chopping them into little pieces, therefore we are not responsible for your negligence to properly protect your child.

 

[Zebrafive]

There have been children backed over with the blades running, thus the liability on the mfg's part to interfere with that possibility.. without doing something like Deere has engineered.
Mine is over-ridden, as I don't mow with children anywhere near my running mower when mowing.

But there are careless operators, non-the-less.
I made a U-turn in the road a few years back to inform a mower operator that his child being pulled in a little wagon behind his mower while he mowed the lawn was foolish and the child was at high risk of being injured from thrown stones or debris and could get an eye put out. He wasn't impressed, but hopefully gave it some serious thought after I left.

Good for you! Also if he had other children, they could run up wanting a ride. Same goes for riding a child on your lap or one knee, not a safe practice.

 

[k0ua]

I always thought the RIO button on the JD's was really really stupid, because it focuses your attention on the button looking forward when you want to go in reverse. I think they want you to override it so if you do run over someone while mowing in reverse they will be protected in court.

 

[Qapla]

My Father-in-law has a Craftsman riding mower that two alternate positions. If you put the key in one of those after starting it will allow you to mow in reverse without holding any buttons - also, the other alternate position not only allows mowing in reverse, it allows you to get off with the motor still running. His came that way, he did not change anything.

 

[aczlan]

My Father-in-law has a Craftsman riding mower that two alternate positions. If you put the key in one of those after starting it will allow you to mow in reverse without holding any buttons - also, the other alternate position not only allows mowing in reverse, it allows you to get off with the motor still running. His came that way, he did not change anything.

That is how Cub Cadet's system works, but you have to press the "mow in reverse" button once each time you start the tractor.

Aaron Z

 

[RandyT]

I always thought the RIO button on the JD's was really really stupid, because it focuses your attention on the button looking forward when you want to go in reverse. I think they want you to override it so if you do run over someone while mowing in reverse they will be protected in court.

It covers the fact that people complained about having to shut off the deck every time they needed to back up, with the fact if you do back up while mowing and run over your child it isn't our fault that you the operator bypassed a safety system.

 

[joefromga]

The govt has mandated all cars 2017+ have backup cameras.

This is only getting worse.

 

[Bird]

Its supposed to keep you from backing over someone (somehow). IMO, the Cub Cadet system (where you can either push the button each time, or put the key in a different spot and press the button once per startup) is better.
Aaron Z

At least they're making some progress then, because I bought a new Cub Cadet in 1995 and it had no provisions for mowing in reverse, and the dealer told me they couldn't change that. However, one of his mechanics disconnected that feature, asking me to not tell the boss. So, from then on, mine would mow in reverse without the operator doing anything special.

I can understand why they put that safety feature on mowers; however . . . I've owned two ZTR mowers with no such feature. I guess they just haven't figured out how to do it to a ZTR.

 

[rekees4300]

But how is the system that requires the operator to pull/push/lift some kind of button/lever (lift lever on our X748) to back up while mowing a safety mechanism?

Designed by lawyers. My X500 has this feature, I override by putting a clothes pin under it.

 

[DK35vince]

I can understand why they put that safety feature on mowers; however . . . I've owned two ZTR mowers with no such feature. I guess they just haven't figured out how to do it to a ZTR.

I'm pretty sure my neighbor had a Cub Cadet zero turn ( don't recall the model) that did have that feature. It was a lower end residential model.
I've never owned a mower that had it.

 

[turbo36]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

If he said that he's ignorant because you can educate the ignorant, but you can't fix stupid

:thumbsup:

 

[RandyT]

At least they're making some progress then, because I bought a new Cub Cadet in 1995 and it had no provisions for mowing in reverse, and the dealer told me they couldn't change that. However, one of his mechanics disconnected that feature, asking me to not tell the boss. So, from then on, mine would mow in reverse without the operator doing anything special.

I can understand why they put that safety feature on mowers; however . . . I've owned two ZTR mowers with no such feature. I guess they just haven't figured out how to do it to a ZTR.

I have seen systems on Z turns that would either kill the engine when both levers were pulled to the rear, or would disengage the pto when both levers were pulled to reverse.

 

[ray66v]

If a mower is considered for commercial use, it has entirely different government standards to meet, than homeowners models do.

For example, blade tip speed, and ground speed, are limited in residential products. But, it's not on commercial ones.

That's why some have limitations, and some don't.

It's not because they can't figure it out, it's because they don't have to.

 

[Bird]

I have seen systems on Z turns that would either kill the engine when both levers were pulled to the rear, or would disengage the pto when both levers were pulled to reverse.

I didn't know such existed, since neither of my Toros had that, but I can't say I'm surprised.