Security & Theft seat safety switch.

[mudcat47537]

My son just purchased a new NX5510 after months of research. But now that he has it home his wife is frustrated. Evidently she doesn't weigh enough to make up the switch in the seat to operate the tractor. I told my son that this is a good thing and will keep her off of it. But he thinks it would be nice to have her drive every now and then. Has anyone had this issue before and how did you get around it? I am planning to take a DOV meter out and disable it but if it has been done before by someone here if would save some time. Any wiring schematics available on the web? Thanks in advance.

 

[motownbrowne]

I've never looked under the seat of a Kioti, so this may or may not be possible, but I used a zip-tie to disable mine. No wiring schematics needed.

 

[countrybumpkin]

On my 5510 I just had to remove the two front bolts and springs holding the seat cushion to the frame, and replace with shorter full threaded bolts with out the springs that when tightened pulls the seat bottom down holding the switch closed. A couple of guys have just unplugged the harness at the bottom of the seat and put in a jumper wire. The bolts are metric but I don't remember the size , but they are small and can be found at menards I know. But mine came off the SMV bracket on the back of the cab that I took off.

 

[95ram]

She must be pretty light. My 8yr old can sit in ours and drive it around with out a problem. Does she need to move the seat up so she's not reaching taking pressure off the seat?

 

[mudcat47537]

All great ideas that I will pass along. I haven't got to stop and check it out yet probably Wednesday.
Yes she is pretty skinny no doubt. Lol

 

[Mud Mechanik]

She is gonna be really skinny after that new Kioti runs over her from not shutting off, I had a close call after disabling my seat switch, and it was close enough that I wired it back up. I would never disable it, it is out of adjustment if she cannot keep it from shutting down.

 

[motownbrowne]

She is gonna be really skinny after that new Kioti runs over her from not shutting off, I had a close call after disabling my seat switch, and it was close enough that I wired it back up. I would never disable it, it is out of adjustment if she cannot keep it from shutting down.

That's a good point. This seat switch is a safety feature and is there for a reason. That said, for me it's not feasible to have it there. I often need to stand up to see the tips of my forks to pick something up or place something in a precise location. Having the machine shut off while doing this doesn't work for me.

If you have inexperienced operators using your machine, don't disable that switch.

 

[TJP89]

She is gonna be really skinny after that new Kioti runs over her from not shutting off, I had a close call after disabling my seat switch, and it was close enough that I wired it back up. I would never disable it, it is out of adjustment if she cannot keep it from shutting down.

If she manages to fall off the machine and keep the HST pedal down she is really talented. On my Kioti the seat switch doesn't work. I'm really glad it doesn't. The range shift is a real PIA to move, and if I had to shift to N everytime I want to get off the tractor, I'd go nuts. Also, I can move the tractor back and forth a little when hooking up from the ground by moving the pedal by hand. As long as you treat the machine as a piece of heavy machinery that it is, the seat switch is not necessary.

 

[motownbrowne]

If she manages to fall off the machine and keep the HST pedal down she is really talented. On my Kioti the seat switch doesn't work. I'm really glad it doesn't. The range shift is a real PIA to move, and if I had to shift to N everytime I want to get off the tractor, I'd go nuts. Also, I can move the tractor back and forth a little when hooking up from the ground by moving the pedal by hand. As long as you treat the machine as a piece of heavy machinery that it is, the seat switch is not necessary.

True, but are we sure it's a hydrostatic machine?

 

[motownbrowne]

If she manages to fall off the machine and keep the HST pedal down she is really talented. On my Kioti the seat switch doesn't work. I'm really glad it doesn't. The range shift is a real PIA to move, and if I had to shift to N everytime I want to get off the tractor, I'd go nuts. Also, I can move the tractor back and forth a little when hooking up from the ground by moving the pedal by hand. As long as you treat the machine as a piece of heavy machinery that it is, the seat switch is not necessary.

True, but are we sure it's a hydrostatic machine?

 

[cat fever]

I have often thought about disabling mine. I know as soon as I do I will have something bad happen and then I will be looking up with a dumb or dead look on my face wishing I had left it alone. So for now it still works.

 

[murphy1244]

I have often thought about disabling mine. I know as soon as I do I will have something bad happen and then I will be looking up with a dumb or dead look on my face wishing I had left it alone. So for now it still works.

I am surprised the new Kiotis have a seat switch as the older DK series did not.

 

[Threepoint]

OP, I'd first investigate this with your dealer as a warranty item. Among other questions, what is Kioti's specified minimum operator weight for the switch to close. Hard to believe your wife is too light to activate a switch that is working within spec, unless Kioti engineers are assuming no-one under 100 lbs is going to use their tractors. In any case, not in this lifetime would I consider disabling a safety switch so that an inexperienced, or even infrequent, operator could use the tractor. HST or not, that's just nuts, IMHO.

 

[4570Man]

I put a switch on my Kubota seat safety. If I am doing loader work I turn it off. If I am mowing I turn it back on. My machine is HST, so I am not worried about it. Letting off the HST pedal will stop the machine much quicker then getting off the seat. If this safety is just a button under the seat frame you could hang weight off the back of the seat and leave the seat safety working. It is likely inside the seat and is harder to defeat. He could just feed her more bacon. Make sure the seat is far enough forward. Somebody that weighs 200 pounds couldn't activate it sitting on the edge of the seat.

 

[DK35vince]

I am surprised the new Kiotis have a seat switch as the older DK series did not.

I have never owned a tractor that had a seat switch.
Never needed one, don't want one.

 

[cat fever]

I am surprised the new Kiotis have a seat switch as the older DK series did not.

Well it's there; I have to have the parking brake set when I get out or it kills. It is a PITA when hooking up implements.
But I am getting used to it.

 

[Redneck in training]

I have TYM that originally had the seat switch. I called the dealer to get replacement and was told that new TYM tractors don't have the switch. I bypassed it. The switch, while it was still working prevented starting the tractor unless somebody was sitting on the seat. Once the tractor was running I could stand up or fall from the tractor it would keep running. So its safety function was questionable to begin with.

 

[cat fever]

I have TYM that originally had the seat switch. I called the dealer to get replacement and was told that new TYM tractors don't have the switch. I bypassed it. The switch, while it was still working prevented starting the tractor unless somebody was sitting on the seat. Once the tractor was running I could stand up or fall from the tractor it would keep running. So its safety function was questionable to begin with.

Mine has a 3-4 second delay. So I can stand up and look at something for a second or two. Usually when I forget, I'm up with the door open and stepping down when it kills.

 

[Hard Knocks]

Is the switch still located in the middle of the seat pad? If so, ask your dealer to install the relocation kit. It will move the switch from the pad to the seat frame. This kit helps lighter operators and for us in freezing climates no starts from frozen seats.

 

[tman1020]

My zero turn mower has same problem when my son mows. I just put a 1 " piece of steel on the seat and Lay a cushion on top of it.

If he stands up the safety still works but adds the needed weight when he is seated. Steal weighs about 40 pounds for a 12" x 12" piece 1 inch thick.