Seat safety switch, do I or don't I

/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #1  

BeezFun

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2009
Messages
2,493
Location
IL
Tractor
Kubota B2710
I'm confused, my B2710 will move if I'm standing on the ground and press on the HST pedal (and the engine is running). Seemed strange, what's the point of a seat safety switch if the tractor can drive off without me. Looked under the seat and sure enough there's a switch there that seems to be working, at least it clicks mechanically when I operated the plunger. So I look in the owner's manual and shop manual and was totally surprised to find no evidence of a seat switch, either in the description or schematic. It calls out 3 safety switches: PTO, HST pedal and clutch. Could the schematic be calling it something besides a seat safety switch? The other safety switches are clearly and logically labeled and do what I expect.
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #2  
Sounds like an "Ideal" seat switch :D I would like to get one... I have to use one hand to put pressure on the seat, so I can use the other hand to push the foot petal!!! I don't need to move it but a few inches but it would be nice to have one like yours ;)
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #3  
I'll trade seat switches with ya ... I had to jumper mine to bypass it :D
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I
  • Thread Starter
#4  
I'm glad to hear you've all got switch envy, but I would like to understand why there's no mention of the seat switch in the user's manual or service manual. Or maybe I'm just missing it. Next time I've got the thing in the shop I'm going to put a meter on that switch and see if it really does anything, then figure out what it's connected to.
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #5  
Unplug the connector going to the seat switch & see if that causes the tractor to die when you touch the HST pedal.

I don't remember whether my manual discusses the seat switch, & I don't have the service manual.
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #6  
...or have the tractor running with the PTO on, then stand up. If it's like mine, that will also kill the engine. I have to tilt my seat up to run the PTO and be out of the seat.
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #7  
My guess is it's an operator present switch for the PTO switch. You must be in the seat to activate the PTO (putting aside lifting the seat up to run the rear PTO for things like a chipper). Like beppington suggested, unplug it and try the PTO and see what happens.
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #8  
...or have the tractor running with the PTO on, then stand up. If it's like mine, that will also kill the engine. I have to tilt my seat up to run the PTO and be out of the seat.

I have to have the parking brake set as well as the seat tilted.
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Unplug the connector going to the seat switch & see if that causes the tractor to die when you touch the HST pedal.

That's a simple test, I'll try that next time I use the tractor. I did actuate the switch while I had the engine running and it did nothing, but I didn't try to move the HST.
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #11  
Mine 7510 has 2 switches. On for driver seat pressure (bypassed) and a second to engage the rear PTO when the seat is flipped up...
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #12  
I had to bypass my seat switch as I usually need to stand up when using my pallet forks so I can see the end of them and make sure I hit the hole. Makes it handy to move the tractor a few inches here or there when I'm off the tractor too...just lightly push the pedal with my hand...stayin well clear of the tires.
But now that my wife has started using it,I need to install a bypass switch for those times and put the seat switch back into service.
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #13  
I had to bypass my seat switch as I usually need to stand up when using my pallet forks so I can see the end of them and make sure I hit the hole. Makes it handy to move the tractor a few inches here or there when I'm off the tractor too...just lightly push the pedal with my hand...stayin well clear of the tires.
But now that my wife has started using it,I need to install a bypass switch for those times and put the seat switch back into service.

I do the same thing & am very aware that the tractor could easily run me over if I'm not careful.
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I
  • Thread Starter
#15  
Ran the tractor today, the seat switch doesn't function as intended. If I stand up while going forward, the engine keeps running. But if I reach back and raise the seat a bit, the engine dies. So the switch isn't sensing when my weight is completely off the seat. I'll try adjusting it sometime, then when I've got it working I'll jumper it out :)
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #16  
There is a light duty spring which lifts the seat up enough to disengage the switch. It may be weak and lost some tension.
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #17  
The other day while I was operating my L4400 I got off the tractor to hook up an implement and the tractor shut off. I've had the tractor for over 6 months and it had never done this unless pto was on or I tried to move it an inch without being in the seat. Because of this I never paid attention to the seat safety switch. So when it cut off I tilted the seat up and found the little white toggle switch that the seat catches. I guess the whole time I've had the tractor the toggle switch was stuck in the down position until it recently freed itself. For now I'm able to to hold it down with the wires it's connected to and can get off my tractor without it shutting off.
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #18  
I can't get my tractor to start unless i have the seat safety switch. Can i bypass this or disconnect so i can start my tractor? or should just buy the part? if so where can i order one ?
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #19  
There is a light duty spring which lifts the seat up enough to disengage the switch. It may be weak and lost some tension.



I cured my B3030 by removing that spring that lifts the seat..... now my tractor stays running. Easy enough to reinstall the spring if I ever sell the tractor.
 
/ Seat safety switch, do I or don't I #20  
Remember there is a REASON why we have ROP bars and seat disconnect switches. I am a Firefighter Paramedic on a Heavy Rescue squad attached to the local fire company. We had a rescue call that applies to this thread so here goes: 911 call in from frantic wife stating her husband was pinned against an apple tree limb by his tractor. (?) Enroute to this call you can imagine what was going through my head trying to imagine how that could happen as a tree limb is usually well off the ground. Well apparently this guy was brush hogging around his apple trees and was looking backward while moving forward... yep..drove right into a 7 inch limb which immediately pushed him back down into the tractor seat, crushing the back and bottom (along with his ribs) of the tractor seat...the tractor shut off... (due to the seat safety switch)... and stopped forward movement of the tractor. Standard shift was in gear..throttle set and he was unable to reach clutch. He was unresponsive and turning blue when we got there. We cut the limb off of him, intubated him, placed IV lines for shock and life flighted him to a trauma center. He lived. Multiple fractured ribs, cracked sternum, ruptured diaphragm and peritoneal rupture (gut sack). Broken collar bones also. Of note; he had taken off the ROP bars so that he COULD drive under these apple trees with the low hanging limbs. The only thing that saved him was the seat safety switch.. if the tractor had proceeded.. he would have been gutted...torn in half literally and killed for sure. So ... think twice about disconnecting and removing safety devices. Everybody's situation is different of course. Common sense hopefully prevails. Stay safe out there cause you do NOT want to see me... really you don't cause if you do.. it means you are in BIG trouble. :)
 

Marketplace Items

2014 GENIE GTH-5519 TELESCOPIC FORKLIFT (A60429)
2014 GENIE...
PITTSBURG 4R CULTIVATOR (A60430)
PITTSBURG 4R...
2020 CATERPILLAR D6 LGP HIGH TRACK CRAWLER DOZER (A60429)
2020 CATERPILLAR...
2020 CATERPILLAR D5 LGP HIGH TRACK CRAWLER DOZER (A60429)
2020 CATERPILLAR...
UNUSED IRANCH IRLB MINI HYD 4IN1 BUCKET (A60432)
UNUSED IRANCH IRLB...
2014 Dodge Journey Van (A59231)
2014 Dodge Journey...
 
Top