Export thread

Ladies. I’m curious to know if anyone has attempted to bypass safety switches on tour BB mowers? Seat seems easy, but what about any others?

I have a Rebel and there’s a wiring switch issue somewhere that I have yet to identify as the problem. Is there a list of where all the safety switches are located?

For what reason? And what did you call them?

slomo

every mower that leaves my shop does so with all safety switches working, unless I can not get the required part right then .
There is a reason why safety switches are called Safety Switches and it is not alliteration

Think of the liability, just to dangerous. Safety switches are there for a reason.

Safety switches should be bypassed for test purposes only this is why most us will not a stranger on how it done. Personally I just don't want hear about someone doing it and then either themselves hurt or someone else. A couple years ago here an operator disable the reverse inhibit mode of his mower and a little later was backing up mowing when he ran over his little girl cutting part her foot off. Now the she has to pay the price of stupidity for the rest of her life.

I also never understood why idiots wants to mower their ditches along the roadside with the anti-sail flaps up throw all the cut grass and junk on to the roadways. It is extremely dangerous to do this.. Even as dumb as I am I know to at least respect others when mowing.near roadways and keep all the cutting on my land. Even with anti sail in place it is still a good idea to wear safety glasses as I have myself been hit in the face with rocks rebounding off tree trunks.

NOw if your are a professional repair shop owner you be able to get the wiring schematics for the BB and troubleshoot from there.

The wiring on most modern mowers make it extremely difficult to tamper with as it involves the electric pto switches, and no one will officially discuss any workarounds for liability reasons, kind of like that pesky screen in the muffler of your trimmer.

Fish said:

The wiring on most modern mowers make it extremely difficult to tamper with as it involves the electric pto switches, and no one will officially discuss any workarounds for liability reasons, kind of like that pesky screen in the muffler of your trimmer.

Click to expand...

On top of that they are throwing ECU modules in the mix that are rather difficult to bypass; though, not completely impossible. Here I have single, double, and bypass surgery on the JD Z830A, Z925A, and Z950M ECUs but I still manage to keep all the safeties operational.

The OEMs are; however, getting better at making it near impossible to do so as they dont even want to us repair shop with the wiring schematic just a wiring layout instead when we get one which basically useless to electrical/electronics tech.

Luckily I am no longer working on equipment. I am too much of an old dog to learn any new tricks.

Fish said:

Luckily I am no longer working on equipment. I am too much of an old dog to learn any new tricks.

Click to expand...

Then are you saying you have died but refuse to fall down? Sorta the saying "We have become aware that our workers are dying on the job but not falling down.".

I currently turning 62 the middle of the month and I still learning new things. Even my 73 yr old machinist still learning new things.

So the buzz words for push mowers has always been the spark plug and air filter. Things that are perfectly fine that get replaced first.

The 0-turn crowd buzzes on safety switches and belts.

slomo

slomo said:

For what reason? And what did you call them?

slomo

Click to expand...

Just for kicks and grins ?

StarTech said:

Then are you saying you have died but refuse to fall down? Sorta the saying "We have become aware that our workers are dying on the job but not falling down.".

I currently turning 62 the middle of the month and I still learning new things. Even my 73 yr old machinist still learning new things.

Click to expand...

No, I just found a lot easier way to make a living. I would never recommend working on this chit for a living.

Fish said:

No, I just found a lot easier way to make a living. I would never recommend working on this chit for a living.

Click to expand...

If I had to be working for the other guy I just give up myself. 3 yrs and counting down here until retirement. But at least my current boss is sorta easy to get along with most days. He's a grouch today as he has a major migraine headache.

Some these repairs gives me nightmares at night. But current problems are all with the vendors lying to me or simply not doing their jobs. Most of them but not all. Those that do get less orders and that don't drag their feet get more orders.

My ZT 60 blew fuses quite often when I would pull the control levers backwards. I finally saw that the bi-pass connectors were shorting against the control rods. I just by bi-passed them, and works fine. I may move location and hook them up again. But, with just me using it, I am always in a habit of throwing both arms to the outside anyway when I get on the mower, before starting it. I went through a lot of fuses before I found this out. Good luck

Fish said:

Luckily I am no longer working on equipment. I am too much of an old dog to learn any new tricks.

Click to expand...

WOOF WOOF! SAFETY FIRST! THROW THAT OLD DOG A BONE! SIR!

neighbor guy was mowing with a cigarette in his face and a beer in his hand. Decided to mow the ditch like he always does. Got the mower in a situation, mower rolled over, and with the switches bypassed it didn't immediately stop. I watched this all happen. By time I could get there he had already tried to kick the mower off of him, of course the spinning blades did a good bit of damage to his foot-to which he hasn't forgotten about, and for the rest of his life he won't forget.

don't be a dummy. Fix the problem properly. It takes literally a split second to lose a toe or limb or fingers or whatever. Or back over your kid or whatever. I saw that happen too where I used to live. Riding mower didn't have a functioning reverse awareness system (where the mower dies when you back up)--it is there to remind you to look behind you when backing. Well he didn't and his granddaughter was right there, they couldn't save her foot and ankle. 4 years old, she's about 15 now and uses a prosthetic. Imagine growing up and having to get a new prosthetic every few months because, you're growing. That's a small part of what she went through.

I don't bypass any safety switches, ever since seeing the granddaughter deal. Then a number of years later this dummy neighbor of mine. Reminded me of why lawn mowers are quite dangerous and how quickly your fine day can turn to a nightmare that will haunt you for the rest of your life.

Not to mention the morons using a trimmer with no eye protection. Grandfather lost an eye doing the very same thing.

slomo

Not glad to hear of other idiots out there getting injured but this is the reason there is so many safeties installed on equipment. OEMs are trying to prevent such accidents. I am working on a JD Z920M right now that the seat switch has been bypassed by the owner. I can do is note it in the file here that the machine is rigged this way.

slomo said:

Not to mention the morons using a trimmer with no eye protection. Grandfather lost an eye doing the very same thing.

slomo

Click to expand...

Last I was mowing my own lawn when a rock was sent flying bounce off a tree and hit me squarely on the right lens of my safety glasses. I would lost the eye if wasn't for me wearing those glasses.

But even safety glasses things can get pass them depending which type you have. Some are better than others. I just recovered from having a piece of metal removed one of my eyes. Apparently it came from the drill press as I had another larger piece to hit me right above the glasses and stuck in my eyebrow. So yes I wear my safety glasses, have to if I going keep on seeing what I am doing. Yes they are pain to wear with them fogging up all the time. I just keep the Windex and paper towels close by to keep them clean.

Great way to join a new group...
"Ladies"
"Tell me how to monkey rig safety switches"

Welcome.

4getgto said:

Great way to join a new group...
"Ladies"
"Tell me how to monkey rig safety switches"

Welcome.

Click to expand...

I am not one to normally disagree, but feel compelled to do so in this case. I own an MTD Yardman 'tractor' 40" that was delivered with safety switches that killed the engine when you lifted off the seat, killed the blade when you shifted to reverse. I have defeated both switches (since 1987 when machine was new).

I could probably have lived with the seat-engine-kill hook-up, though inconvenient, but the blade stop in reverse was a deal killer for me. Due to the layout of my lawn, I mow nearly 50% of it in reverse. Tell me what is wrong with that. When mowing in reverse, I have to turn such that my vision is facing rearward in order to maintain my cutting alignment. I don't allow children in the yard while I am cutting, but would definitely see and avoid them if any ever strayed into my path.

The purpose of these machines is to cut the grass. Who asked the manufacturers to dictate that cutting should always be done in forward gear. If you don't pay attention, you might run over a child in forward gear. There is an inherent responsibility upon the operator of a riding mower to watch for persons or other hazards in his/her cutting path.

I have used this machine with these safety overrides in place since 1987, and have not experienced one accident or close call. The key is not to allow toddlers on the lawn when you are mowing, not to mow in reverse without constant observation to the rear. It's simple.

As for the seat-safety switch defeat, I have absolutely no reason to leave my seat without first disengaging the blades. Are users really so inept as to step away from their unit with blades still turning? Really?

I have a Toro 21" walk-behind that incorporates a bar that has to be held against the handle to keep the engine running. I use a Velcro strip to defeat that safety device, as, when cutting, I often have to step away from the unit to clear branches, brush, etc. I don't want to have to restart the engine every time. Again, I would never mow with children on the lawn, so there is no chance I would ever endanger them through my practices.

I'd be very curious to hear from those who cut lawns professionally as to how they view/respect/practice with regard to such safety measures imposed upon us by manufacturers. I, personally, feel it is over-kill. Any comments welcomed.

Caruso

carusoswi said:

As for the seat-safety switch defeat, I have absolutely no reason to leave my seat without first disengaging the blades. Are users really so inept as to step away from their unit with blades still turning? Really?

Caruso

Click to expand...

Yes they are especially when Booze and Dope is involved. You wouldn't think think someone would run out upon the roadway either without looking but I have seen it. Me and another driver just barely missed her and she had no idea what had happen because the hearing protection and radio she was wearing. I had to stop her on the next round to her how close she came to getting killed. I thanked God for anti lock brakes on both vehicles.

Besides you ever had to abandon your mower when attacked by yellow jackets? I have several times as I can ran a lot faster than the mower moves. They hurt like heck with them stinging and biting constantly. I even had do it once when my honey bees were pissed and I became their target. Come to find out yellow jackets were attacking them so I use just am innocent bystander in their war zone.

That is fine Caruso.
If every one was as careful & considerate and in such good health as you the world would be a wonderful safe place to live in.
However in any particular years I would get at least 3 mowers with electrical flex wrapped around the blade spindles cause the idiot owners was draining the swimming pool or charging a flat battery or some other perfectly normal thing to do , but they forgot about the power wire and ran over it.
YOu could add at least a dozen garden hoses to that but they are nowhere near as potentially fatal .
Had only one customer ever who had a heart attack while mowing the grassy verge.
He fell off about 10 houses down the street and the mower continued another 300 yards or so side swiping parked cars till it went across a T intersection and came to a dead stop into a brick fence.
When he came home he had a second heart attack when presented with the damages bill that his household insurance company refused to pay.
So while admittedly quite rare these thing do happen.
I mow a very steep verge with a compound slope and regularly have to step off to prevent a rollover so again without a functioning seat switch that mower would have shot off causing a horrible accident , And yes I should be using a walk behind but it is 2 acres of very steep hill .
Seat switches can be modified, I do it all the time by simply popping a self tapper into the plunger so it does not shut off the engine when you go over a bump or shift your weight to look behind or get better traction .
SO there is really no excuse for dissabling them

bertsmobile1 said:

That is fine Caruso.
If every one was as careful & considerate and in such good health as you the world would be a wonderful safe place to live in.
However in any particular years I would get at least 3 mowers with electrical flex wrapped around the blade spindles cause the idiot owners was draining the swimming pool or charging a flat battery or some other perfectly normal thing to do , but they forgot about the power wire and ran over it.
YOu could add at least a dozen garden hoses to that but they are nowhere near as potentially fatal .
Had only one customer ever who had a heart attack while mowing the grassy verge.
He fell off about 10 houses down the street and the mower continued another 300 yards or so side swiping parked cars till it went across a T intersection and came to a dead stop into a brick fence.
When he came home he had a second heart attack when presented with the damages bill that his household insurance company refused to pay.
So while admittedly quite rare these thing do happen.
I mow a very steep verge with a compound slope and regularly have to step off to prevent a rollover so again without a functioning seat switch that mower would have shot off causing a horrible accident , And yes I should be using a walk behind but it is 2 acres of very steep hill .
Seat switches can be modified, I do it all the time by simply popping a self tapper into the plunger so it does not shut off the engine when you go over a bump or shift your weight to look behind or get better traction .
SO there is really no excuse for dissabling them

Click to expand...

We all go at some time, and I am no spring chicken. I hope when my time comes that I am not out mowing my lawn, but I can guarantee you that none of my children will be on the lawn if/when that happens. My rider would be much less effective if I could only mow in forward. Say what you will, I maintain that these safety measures are over-kill. I am happy to have disabled them.

Caruso

StarTech said:

Yes they are especially when Booze and Dope is involved. You wouldn't think think someone would run out upon the roadway either without looking but I have seen it. Me and another driver just barely missed her and she had no idea what had happen because the hearing protection and radio she was wearing. I had to stop her on the next round to her how close she came to getting killed. I thanked God for anti lock brakes on both vehicles.

Besides you ever had to abandon your mower when attacked by yellow jackets? I have several times as I can ran a lot faster than the mower moves. They hurt like heck with them stinging and biting constantly. I even had do it once when my honey bees were pissed and I became their target. Come to find out yellow jackets were attacking them so I use just am innocent bystander in their war zone.

Click to expand...

My mower has an instant off switch, the key. Switch it to off (takes a fraction of a second) and the machine is off, period. Sorry you have to deal with bees, but no reason to subject all users to these draconian restrictions.
Caruso

Just remember when you by pass a safety switch. You are assuming full liability for such actions.

4getgto said:

Great way to join a new group...
"Ladies"
"Tell me how to monkey rig safety switches"

Welcome.

Click to expand...

There’s nothing personal about what I said Bud. Relax and smoke a heater, drink a Bud, or whatever relaxes you. I too have scenarios on my property that make my mowing experience difficult and I’m looking for options, opinions, and hopefully a few answers.

My ZT is far from the most dangerous machine or equipment I run- but having said that I don’t underestimate injury probability.

The NSF (national safety foundation) would love my 1957 Locke Triplex reel mower. Exposed reels and zero safety features. Engage the reels and the drive and it just goes. You let go it keeps on going. Get a stick in a reel and it throws it out like a fastball. Don't want to run it when you have a bad case of stupid.

Yes there more dangerous equipment like those darn cell phones while driving. People lose all sense at times. If it was only the operator that was injured or kill then it just one more idiot out the way. The problem it usually it involves someone else too that had nothing to do with operation.

I have avoid several head-ons with drivers running stop signs and I along with a passenger nearly got killed by an idiot running my vehicle off the road as he decided he wanted my lane while he was on the phone. I hit loose gravel and spun out taking out five traffic lanes as I was trying not to have head-on with embankment. The back on truck broke loose so it was a wild ride. I was lucky as can be that no one was close at the time not I did not roll the vehicle. This all happen at 55 mph.

It like those that refuse get vaccines. Yes it is their choice, just don't force their choice on us that are willing to try to protect ourselves. Personally I had pneumonia and have never fully recovered and the current Covid19 would probably kill me rather quickly if I catch it. Besides it not fun at all to not be able to breathe. At least if you don't care about yourself please think about others that do care about their health. Here in Tennessee we are under 50% vaccinated yet nearly 90+% has quit wearing the masks. This I do at work anyways as well as wearing eye protection as it common sense so it not that hard to it outside the work environment for me to do.

Also things like food poisoning can kill you too. I have nearly die from it too just because some idiot put a package bologna back in the meat counter. 30 minutes after I eat to seemly good slices I so sick I wasn't even able to a phone for help. It not the first time I had food poisoning either so I can recognize the symptoms rather quickly now after having it at least five times now. I worked at grocery store in the meat department, it was surprising how many idiots would leave meats out on the store selves just because they were too lazy to return to meat counter coolers when they decided they didnt want the item. Personally I would never put the package ever back in the counter but instead would just trash it but many others will do it and risk someone else health over a few pennies.

Safety devices is just like the vaccines. They are just preventative measures for the unaware of the dangers. If you chose not to take the precautions or override safety devices then it solely your fault if you get injured and it is also your fault if someone else is injured.

bertsmobile1 said:

That is fine Caruso.
If every one was as careful & considerate and in such good health as you the world would be a wonderful safe place to live in.
However in any particular years I would get at least 3 mowers with electrical flex wrapped around the blade spindles cause the idiot owners was draining the swimming pool or charging a flat battery or some other perfectly normal thing to do , but they forgot about the power wire and ran over it.
YOu could add at least a dozen garden hoses to that but they are nowhere near as potentially fatal .
Had only one customer ever who had a heart attack while mowing the grassy verge.
He fell off about 10 houses down the street and the mower continued another 300 yards or so side swiping parked cars till it went across a T intersection and came to a dead stop into a brick fence.
When he came home he had a second heart attack when presented with the damages bill that his household insurance company refused to pay.
So while admittedly quite rare these thing do happen.
I mow a very steep verge with a compound slope and regularly have to step off to prevent a rollover so again without a functioning seat switch that mower would have shot off causing a horrible accident , And yes I should be using a walk behind but it is 2 acres of very steep hill .
Seat switches can be modified, I do it all the time by simply popping a self tapper into the plunger so it does not shut off the engine when you go over a bump or shift your weight to look behind or get better traction .
SO there is really no excuse for dissabling them

Click to expand...

I never bragged about how 'safe' I, also, made no comment about how 'healthy' I am. I do regularly visit my cardiologist, and, via tests, have been given a clean bill of health regarding my heart and surrounding arteries, so, while not unimaginable, the likelihood of my being rendered unconscious while mowing is very unlikely. My lawn includes no slopes that require me to routinely exit my mower to avoid being trapped/injured in a rollover. Additionally, mowing my lawn does not require me to venture out onto the street where, in the unlikely event of a heart attack, my machine would run on without me to inflict damage to numerous other vehicles.

I explain that I disabled these "safety provisions" because they infringe on my convenience in using my unit to cut my lawn, and many on this cite invent all sorts of very unlikely scenarios that could justify a rebuttal of my position. That's ok. Continue your cutting in forward only if it suites you. I don't care that much about what you choose to do. I am 70 years old, have been using mowers, push/walk behind/riders, since I was 9 years old. Pay attention to basic safety and you will survive use of the fine machines that we have today, no need for these restrictive safety devices.

Happy mowing,

Caruso

71 years young working on mowers daily and have been for the last 45 years I love my job. We are part of a hardware store and have been save many a head ache by going next door and getting the hardware I need. Too bad we are a dying breed not too many young guys want to get their hand dirty just want to play on their computers and can't say as I blame them.