One key fits all?

[longway5]

Not everything from JD is the same. Working at a golf course we have a wide selection of JD equipment, and I would say there are three key types for us. Some mowers use a short key with a stamped deer (I believe like the construction equipment, but not sure), some use a longer key, sometimes with a plastic handle (the ProGators, fairway mowers, and bunker rake), and the 1050 tractor uses a long key, also stamped with a deer. It in the case of the 1050 though, just about any key will work. I've started it up with my house key. Could be our tractor though, it is well used.

 

[rmonio]

I can't speak for other brands, but when I bought my 4600 I asked the dealer about getting a spare key or two (in case I lost one). He said not to worry as all the keys are interchangeable so if I lost it, they'd have another for me.

Either way, I have a large SpongeBob Squarepants on the keychain so if it does fall off I won't lose it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

-Bob

 

[cowboydoc]

It's really the same with most any key system. There are only a limited # of keys that work on most things. Most padlocks only have 10-20 different keys for all the padlocks. I was shocked when I went to a locksmith to get a key for my trailer lock. The locksmith brought out 10 keys and the second one worked. I asked how he knew which one and he said there are only 10 keys for that brand of locks! Vehicles are the same way. There are only a limited # of keys for them too. As we all know all a key or a lock does is keep an honest person honest. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[jimg]

One more data point...while pricing a 6230 I found an option which appears to provide unique keys for *your* tractor:
AL71345 -- Door Locks - Custom Key
Includes: Lockable Door Handles (2), Key is different than that used to start Tractor. Compatible with 6020 and 6030 Series.

I suppose once you get to a certain price/trim level things like this become an option. I know neither the 6015 or 5025 series had it.

 

[DieselPower]

It's really the same with most any key system. There are only a limited # of keys that work on most things. Most padlocks only have 10-20 different keys for all the padlocks. I was shocked when I went to a locksmith to get a key for my trailer lock. The locksmith brought out 10 keys and the second one worked. I asked how he knew which one and he said there are only 10 keys for that brand of locks! Vehicles are the same way. There are only a limited # of keys for them too. As we all know all a key or a lock does is keep an honest person honest. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Well, not really. That must have been a very cheap padlock, no offense.

I do locksmithing on the side (among other thing's) and can tell you that most padlock's have thousands of tumbler possibilities. Even a normal cheap padlock has 5 tumblers with each tumbler having 6-7 different cut depth possibilities. The more tumblers the greater the total number of possibilities.

 

[em14]

A few days ago my new 6420 arrived at the dealer and on that Sat. I went to look at. The salesman was not in so the small Sat. staff wasn't sure where keys were so the parts guy went to his 6400's key bin and got a key to let me open the cab and start the engine. He told me that all JD's within the same series have the same key!
Leo

 

[Engine_Tech]

That is pretty common in the industry. JD has only used six or seven different keys in 165+ years of existence, with most of the "new" keys coming in the last 10 years.

 

[Rob-D]

Great!

I've been taking my key out thinking it would make my new tractor safe. Well that silly little chore is over. On the other hand I always wanted to drive one of those dozers sitting on the side of the roads around here.......

 

[Robert_in_NY]

The keys are the same so people with multiple tractors don't have to fumble around looking for the "right" key. My 1920 uses a different key but my 7710, 4500 TLB and TN use the same key. If the tractors are in the barn I leave the key in but if they are in the field on a piece of property we don't own or on a job site we pull the key. And if I mis place a key I have spares.

I would be frustrated if each tractor had a different key. I wish my trucks all had the same key (as an option so all the keys would be unique to me still) as it sucks having three identical looking keys. The only way I know which key is which is to memorize what one goes where according to where it is located on the key ring. Always spend a few seconds finding the "right" key to start one of the trucks.

 

[B8FISH]

Yep--every time I've traded in, I've kept one of the keys so that I now have a bunch of extras. I leave in the pockets of my work coats etc., so that when I decide to hop on I don't have to go looking for a key!