Key broke off in ignition!

[wjoerob]

When I went out to start the B6100 in the cold, the key broke off flush with the surface. Like Bullwinkle used to say, "Don't know my own strength!" Managed to get it started by a screwdriver stuck in the slot. Will it be possible to take off the ignition switch to remove it, or to get a new ignition and key? How hard is the replacement?

 

[kidr]

I heard that you can pull a broken key with a coping saw blade. Insert the blade with teeth facing you.Teeth should grab the cuts on the key and pull it out. Never had to do this myself so.............The keys from my new holland are off the shelf. One key fits all tractors of that model.

 

[lhfarm]

I remember reading a tip in Popular Mechanics for making a key extractor. I did a search and found a number of articles, which all suggested something along the following
"One of the gadgets in the lockpick kit is a broken-key extractor, and it's simple to make and use. Grind down a hacksaw blade with a bench grinder to the harpoon shape shown in the illustration. Insert the blade into the lock deep enough to grab the first or second bump on the key and pull it out." (Car Clinic: November 1996 - Popular Mechanics)

Might be worth a try.

Good luck!

 

[KubotaSam]

I believe all keys are the same. I needed to replace the switch assembly on my B7100. I did not break the key the contacts has corroded inside and sometimes it would not start. After I put the new switch in the old key worked fine in the new switch. The switch was easy to replace. I can't remember exactly how much it was, I think around $30.00. So if you can't remove the broken key it is not a bad job. You will need to get the exact correct switch so the glow plugs operate correctly.

 

[art]

Key's are the same per model.

 

[radioman]

art is right.. kubota keys are the same. If you go to kubota dealer and ask for a spare key, they probably will look in thier extra drawers and toss em to you. When I got mine, i only got one key. I sent my wife to the dealer to get a spare key and they tossed her the extras they had in the drawer. mighty nice of them !!

 

[LQPAPPY]

The keys for my G1900 and Bx2200 were interchangeable. However, while still at the dealership I tried one of these keys in my new B3030 and it would not fit or work. On first look they appear the same but the B3030 key is larger and the dealer had to order extra keys for the new B3030. Hope this helps.

 

[LBrown59]

I heard that you can pull a broken key with a coping saw blade. Insert the blade with teeth facing you.Teeth should grab the cuts on the key and pull it out. Never had to do this myself so.............The keys from my new holland are off the shelf. One key fits all tractors of that model.

Try a magnet.

 

[wjoerob]

Thanks, guys! I knew someone on TBN would have dealt with this before!

 

[ragkar]

Slightly off topic but related, sometimes in the winter water gets in the lock and freezes. So the pins don't move and you break your key trying to turn the lock. Rain will do this but the most common cause is failing to tape over the lock when you spray clean the car/truck/tractor.

But the fix is easy:
Be sure you tape over the lock next time.
With a frozen lock, park the vehicle so the sun warms the lock.
After the lock has thawed (the key works) spray WD40 into the lock.

Anecdote - The passenger door lock on my truck has not worked for a month. The key goes in but won't turn. Yesterday in a mall I had trouble with the driver's lock too. I used the above procedure and everything is fine now.

Another thing, never ever buy aluminum keys. If you have one now, get it replaced and use the aluminum one as an emergency spare.