How can i reverse mow with LX279

[beenthere]

:welcome: to the forum Betty

For many of us, there is a better way. Just that one needs to locate the switch that opens a circuit when the reverse pedal is touched. If you are up to that task, I found it on my X485 when the mower deck was off, and I could get under the tractor and see the switch. Just rotated it out of the way so the reverse pedal linkage could not trip the switch.
Dealers have been told by their insurance co's that all the safety switch's must be fixed if ever in the shop, so don't destroy the switch.

 

[TimS]

Like AndyMA, I'm frustrated with an x740 disabling the blades when I reverse. Dealer told me to hold up the pto switch ... but with 8+ hours of mowing ... there's got to be a better way.
Betty

Are you aware that you don't need to hold up the PTO switch the whole time you're backing up, but just when you are transitioning from forward to reverse?

'T'ain't that hard, folks.

 

[Eric Barney]

I agree... I very quickly adapted to the RIO. It became automatic in a very short time.

That does not mean that I like it though...

 

[Mistyridgefarm]

I wonder why ZTMs don't have this "feature"?

I jumpered over the cutout on the back of the dash switch on the GX345. Other the wires are sealed in the switch, the other suggestions are just as easy.

 

[Grateful11]

The pull up switch thing is crazy it requires you to take one hand off the steering wheel, take your attention off what you're doing, pull up the knob or switch and start moving in reverse and then you can let it go but if you ease up on the reverse pedal a little too much there goes your mower deck turning off.

I didn't think we could even talk about this on here, learn something new everyday. I will just say that the switch is mounted on a slot, that's as far as I'll go. Disclaimer: I assume no responsibility it anyone runs over someone.

The way I look at it if one isn't mechanically inclined enough to figure it out on their own they shouldn't mess with it.

I once emailed JD that if they really wanted someone to turn around to see what's behind them they could have put a big red button on each fender and wired them so that either one could be pressed down and then mow in reverse. Thus forcing you to look behind you before backing up, I don't back in a car without looking behind me. Guess what I never heard a peep from JD. Figured I wouldn't because if they changed the system to my idea someone would have said the original idea was faulty.

When we first moved into our current home 17 years ago I was mowing and all of a sudden I noticed something behind me, it was my 5 year old walking behind the riding mower. I just stopped and explained to him that when I'm mowing he was to either stay in the house or in the yard at Grandpa's next door. I never rode my sons on a riding mower, it's bad idea plain and simple, like it or not.

 

[beenthere]

...................
The way I look at it if one isn't mechanically inclined enough to figure it out on their own they shouldn't mess with it.

I agree with that philosophy, but don't like to respond to someone as is seems a tiny bit rude to someone asking for help.

I once emailed JD that if they really wanted someone to turn around to see what's behind them they could have put a big red button on each fender and wired them so that either one could be pressed down and then mow in reverse. Thus forcing you to look behind you before backing up,.....................

That is a good idea, as having to fiddle with the RIO means for sure one isn't looking back. Your idea would be better. But it is an industry reaction to a Sears mower backing over a child, not a Deere thing. Deere went with the flow and now the product liability monster has taken over.

 

[k0ua]

The pull up switch thing is crazy it requires you to take one hand off the steering wheel, take your attention off what you're doing, pull up the knob or switch and start moving in reverse and then you can let it go but if you ease up on the reverse pedal a little too much there goes your mower deck turning off.

I didn't think we could even talk about this on here, learn something new everyday. I will just say that the switch is mounted on a slot, that's as far as I'll go. Disclaimer: I assume no responsibility it anyone runs over someone.

The way I look at it if one isn't mechanically inclined enough to figure it out on their own they shouldn't mess with it.

I once emailed JD that if they really wanted someone to turn around to see what's behind them they could have put a big red button on each fender and wired them so that either one could be pressed down and then mow in reverse. Thus forcing you to look behind you before backing up, I don't back in a car without looking behind me. Guess what I never heard a peep from JD. Figured I wouldn't because if they changed the system to my idea someone would have said the original idea was faulty.

When we first moved into our current home 17 years ago I was mowing and all of a sudden I noticed something behind me, it was my 5 year old walking behind the riding mower. I just stopped and explained to him that when I'm mowing he was to either stay in the house or in the yard at Grandpa's next door. I never rode my sons on a riding mower, it's bad idea plain and simple, like it or not.

I tend to agree with your Idea. The RIO idea is a bad idea that causes you to focus on the dash and look forward not backward as you should be. I have no children around or anywhere near. But one of my relatives is now missing most of a foot from being run over by a lawn tractor being operated in reverse. It can and does happen. (no I was not involved) Whether your "invention" would have prevented this or not is unknown, but I believe it is a good idea.

James K0UA

 

[Tommyadvanced]

You will get used to it. My hand finds the pto switch without looking for it. The same way my foot finds the reverse pedal without looking for it. It will become second nature soon enough for you.

 

[beenthere]

No plans to "get used to it". Just doesn't fit my lawn mowing routine.

 

[Tommyadvanced]

Does modifying the RIO affect the reverse lights on tractors that have them?