The Ignition Switch

[Egon]

Several days ago another storm came Blowing thru my Frozen Little Town and left around 8 inches plus drifts of nice white snow a laying around. The Town snowplow also makes a nice windrow in front of both driveways that is usually well packed and heavy.

So, the following morning, a nice sunny morning, out I goes and fires up the new old John Deere 4200 for the snow moving duties. [ It does start much easier than the Kubota did] I'm going down the driveway on the first pass and just in front of the truck I turn around and inadvertently hit the very conveniently placed ignition switch with my knee breaking off the key and stopping the tractor. [Kubota ignition switch was better positioned] Stalled tractor and truck blocked in! Almost panic. Pulled off the ignition switch, 10 minute job, and looked things over. No way to grab ahold of the broken part of the key. Too many plugs for my limited ability to even consider using some alligator clips and wires. Phoned the Dealer and talked to the service manager. Was told that perhaps if I turned the switch upside down and tapped it the old piece may move enough for me to grab ahold of the broken piece. Using this information the tractor was back in service in less than fifteen minutes.

Many thanks to the service manager.

Now I'm wondering if I'll do this again as clumsiness is sorta in my nature. Should I have a spare switch on hand?
Course I have to get some more spare keys now.

 

[howie63deer1]

I don't know if you have enough room but if you can take a short piece of exhaust tube 1"-1.5" long and big enough diameter that you can easily turn key in and weld a bottom in (or use a shotened soup or slightly bigger can) drill a big enough hole for your switch to fit thru and have it on key side of switch . If you go to bump it again you hit the can and at worst bend it in (can be straightened) or you get a sore knee. And don't forget the finnishing touch --- green paint

 

[Cidertom]

I did the same thing on my old 4300. My solution was a short piece of pvc pipe epoxied around the hole. It wasn't long enough to cover the whole key but it did keep from snapping it off. My initial mistake was: I had bent the key earlier and had straightened it out. The second time was snap off.

So far I haven't done this to the 4520.

 

[Egon]

My initial mistake was: I had bent the key earlier and had straightened it out. The second time was snap off.

That does sound familiar.

The idea of protecting covers is a good one. Thanks.

When I was talking to the dealer I got the impression this was a kinda common thing.

 

[PILOON]

My key was broken in the switch when I purchased the tractor.
To demo the tractor the salesman simply used a screwdriver to turn the switch on.
I have been running it that way ever since the purchase day.

One advantage is that I never risk breaking another key and always have a key handy!

Later found that all the tractors actually are keyed alike so my solution is not much different, only cheeper and practical.

A locksmith suggested that a fine coping saw blade makes for a great broken key retrieval tool. You slip the blade alongside the key slot, twist gently and pull out the 'keyed' remenent out. Makes sense.

 

[nmu98]

I have the same problem on some of our older equipment. It was not made for a very tall guy... On most, we have heated the key up and bent it over 90 degrees. This allows to remove the key, and also use it to start the equipment. It also does not snag on anything.

 

[Egon]

salesman simply used a screwdriver to turn the switch on.

That did not work. It was tried.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

I don't like where the ignition switch is on my 4300, i guess i have been lucky not to break a key off, but i have bent the key several times.

 

[mfreund]

I have used a small dot of super glue on the broke off part and stick it in and count to 25 and gently pull out key. If it doesn't work DO NOT put more on and try again

 

[FastPauly]

I had that same problem on my Bassboat....ignition switch was positioned where bumping against the key was very easy to do. I used a plastic lid off of a swimming pool chemical container (they are wide and tall because they also serve as a measuring cup). I drilled a hole through the top of it just large enough for the ignition switch barrel to pass through. Put the retaining nut back on the barrel.....the dimensions of the lid provides ample protection for the key.

I even managed to get my idea puplished (along with pics) in a national Bass magazine as a viable "fishing tip" a few years back.....my only claim to fame