/ JD LT155 Reverse Safety
- Thread starter Jon L
- Start date
The way the circuit works normally is you push the dash button and then switch into reverse. Then you can let go of the button. The button energizes a latching relay(K3 in diagram) until you shift out of Reverse which drops the relay out. Electrically, there are 3 basic components to check. 1) the dash button, 2) the RIO (Reverse Implement Option) switch (S5 in diagram which senses For/Neutral/Rev) and finally, 3) the RIO Latch Relay (K3 in diagram).
If I was a guessing guy, I'd say it's 1 or 2 but anything is possible. You'll need some basic electrical knowledge and simple meter to dig in and test. You can also buy a Technical Manual off Ebay if you're so inclined.
Good luck!
If I was a guessing guy, I'd say it's 1 or 2 but anything is possible. You'll need some basic electrical knowledge and simple meter to dig in and test. You can also buy a Technical Manual off Ebay if you're so inclined.
Good luck!
2muchgrass2mow
Active Member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2022
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 50
I'm assuming you want to be able to freely mow in reverse. The fix for that is simple, but rather than trying to explain it I'm going to simply tell you to go to youtube - where there are many short videos which will illustrate the fix. I will tell you that it involves cutting a piece of wire 4-6 in. and inserting it between two contacts. I've done this on two mowers. That feature is a real PITA. If I had to mow my lawn and field without being able to mow in reverse, it would take forever and drive me nuts in the process. Check it out on youtube. You'll have no problem. Cheers!
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2024
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 391
These were implemented because a lot of serious accidents were happening by careless people not paying attention. The manufacturer wanted to reduce lawsuit exposure.
When I worked for John Deere, we were legally not allowed to bypass or trick any safety switches regardless of brand or what the customer was willing to pay. We could not even hint at how to do it.
I do not advise bypassing any safety device.
Solution: Buy a much older mower without all the switches.
When I worked for John Deere, we were legally not allowed to bypass or trick any safety switches regardless of brand or what the customer was willing to pay. We could not even hint at how to do it.
I do not advise bypassing any safety device.
Solution: Buy a much older mower without all the switches.
2muchgrass2mow
Active Member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2022
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 50
Auto Doc:
. . . If he buys an older machine "without all the switches", he'll be buying a mower that WILL mow in reverse. That would only be a super expensive way to "bypass the safety switch"! Don't think your solution is a solution . . .
. . . If he buys an older machine "without all the switches", he'll be buying a mower that WILL mow in reverse. That would only be a super expensive way to "bypass the safety switch"! Don't think your solution is a solution . . .
StarTech
Lawn Royalty
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2020
- Threads
- 110
- Messages
- 12,142
As a shop owner I can't risk the liability issue. I personally went through a recent problem where a customer's insurance company tried suing me for a problem that I found after the fact.
The customer brought in his wreck mower for me to find what caused the mower to keep on mowing even he was knock off the seat and it took out his wife's new car. A previous repair shop or DIYer had installed the wrong safety switch. It cause the mower to act as if someone was in the seat while the deck was engaged. IE the seat safety was effective bypassed. I did not do the work and the first I saw the mower was after the crash and my records proved that. So glad I keep records of anything that has been bypassed by others to cover my behind.
If the customer does the bypassing and accident happens related to the bypass it is on them not their mechanic; unless, mechanic likes taking the risks involved. Besides we as shops can be fine too for doing it so I will not explain how to disable a safety switch.
And yes they can inconvenient at times but they are there to remind you to take time and be safe, not sorry later.
I know of one case in my area from about 12 years where a guy back over his son while the deck was engaged. A burial no one should half to attend. All because the reverse switch was disabled and didn't remind him to clear the rear area first.
The customer brought in his wreck mower for me to find what caused the mower to keep on mowing even he was knock off the seat and it took out his wife's new car. A previous repair shop or DIYer had installed the wrong safety switch. It cause the mower to act as if someone was in the seat while the deck was engaged. IE the seat safety was effective bypassed. I did not do the work and the first I saw the mower was after the crash and my records proved that. So glad I keep records of anything that has been bypassed by others to cover my behind.
If the customer does the bypassing and accident happens related to the bypass it is on them not their mechanic; unless, mechanic likes taking the risks involved. Besides we as shops can be fine too for doing it so I will not explain how to disable a safety switch.
And yes they can inconvenient at times but they are there to remind you to take time and be safe, not sorry later.
I know of one case in my area from about 12 years where a guy back over his son while the deck was engaged. A burial no one should half to attend. All because the reverse switch was disabled and didn't remind him to clear the rear area first.
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2024
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 391
These were implemented because a lot of serious accidents were happening by careless people not paying attention. The manufacturer wanted to reduce lawsuit exposure.
When I worked for John Deere, we were legally not allowed to bypass or trick any safety switches regardless of brand or what the customer was willing to pay. We could not even hint at how to do it.
I don't offer any other suggestion and not any "solution" to "rig it" to circumvent safety devices. Any ethical shop or techs would not even attempt it for the risk of a potentially fatal outcome.
I've seen too many needless injuries because "bothersome" safety devices were bypassed by some individuals.
When I worked for John Deere, we were legally not allowed to bypass or trick any safety switches regardless of brand or what the customer was willing to pay. We could not even hint at how to do it.
Hi 2muchgrass2mow,
I don't offer any other suggestion and not any "solution" to "rig it" to circumvent safety devices. Any ethical shop or techs would not even attempt it for the risk of a potentially fatal outcome.
I've seen too many needless injuries because "bothersome" safety devices were bypassed by some individuals.
SeniorCitizen
Lawn Addict
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2010
- Threads
- 133
- Messages
- 2,228
I can enable or disable my MIR in seconds while mowing , yes sir , never leave the seat .
Why doesn't anyone ever blame stupid accidents on alcohol but smoking catches hell ?
Why doesn't anyone ever blame stupid accidents on alcohol but smoking catches hell ?
StarTech
Lawn Royalty
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2020
- Threads
- 110
- Messages
- 12,142
And not every stupid accident is even related to a vice either. I had a woman on a rider to come out and make u turn in the middle of the road while me and another driver were meeting at the same time. We both manage to miss her. So I stopped and waited on her return trip. I saw her wearing ear muff type headphones. She never saw us or heard us blowing our horns at her. When I let her what just had happen she just stopped the mower and walked away shaking. She was just very lucky we both driver were paying full attention to our driving.
And matter of fact I just had Friday a driver to run off the road through my ditch on a wild rider as the car had to jump a covert, all because they were on a cell phone while coming up to a stop sign and not even fully under control of the vehicle.
And matter of fact I just had Friday a driver to run off the road through my ditch on a wild rider as the car had to jump a covert, all because they were on a cell phone while coming up to a stop sign and not even fully under control of the vehicle.
2muchgrass2mow
Active Member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2022
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 50
Mornin' AD:
I should be a bit clearer. First, I would never, ever advise or show someone how to bypass the under-seat driver presence switch, nor do I do it. My former barber did that and lost the entire bottom of his foot when his mower flipped while on a steep ditch (he was also pretty well liquored up). I understand Deere's liability position on safety and also that it may void the warranty if reverse kill is bypassed.
Still, in my situation, wherein I must mow back and forth, over and over many times, on my home lot and an adjacent 1-acre field - which has many rocks and other obstacles - it makes no sense to leave that switch operational. I never drink and mow, am very careful, hear well, have no kids at home, no pets and live in a wide-open space with excellent vision of my surroundings. Put simply, I can't even imagine mowing my property and having to stop and press a button each time I wanted to mow backwards. In fact, for me, that would be more dangerous because there are routinely times when I must act QUICKLY to reverse on pretty steep hills and go back and forth. Also, the sheer distraction involved would pose a certain element of risk.
I'm not advocating that EVERYONE does this bypass, but for me and some others (like the guy who posted), it's a weighted choice!
Cheers!