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I have a new CC Z Force L 54. When I pull the steering bars back the PTO shuts off the blades as it should, but when I go forward after that the blades do not start turning/cutting again. (My 2007 Z Force 50 starts back when I move forward.) The manual says it should start back when one or both of the lap bars are moved forward. I have to manually push down the electric PTO button & pull it back up every time to restart the blades.

From page 17 of the z force L54 owners manual

The safety interlock system will shut off the PTO and the mower
blades will stop if both drive control levers are moved into the
reverse position. To restart the blades the PTO must be moved
to the “OFF” position and then back to the “ON” position

Yep, I would be removing those switches.

Does your Z Force have the ignition with two positions and button that allows you to disable the PTO cutoff? If so, just follow the proper sequence to disable the PTO cutoff just before you engage the PTO for the first time and it will stay on when you go in reverse; that is unless you get up off the seat or engage the parking brake (if one). If it does not have this option, then I am sorry for giving you any hope of a resolution!

Mike

I'll leave everything as is for now. I'm getting fairly good at keeping myself out of places where a zero turn will not keep me and the blades going.
On those rare occasions when reverse is absolutely necessary, I'm getting faster at clicking the PTO switch off and on. I'm thinking that even though I'm attempting to minimize the use of the OFF/ON switch, I will have to replace it at some point in the future. Oh well, I'll probably order a spare just to be ready.

ashend57 said:

I'm getting faster at clicking the PTO switch off and on. I'm thinking that even though I'm attempting to minimize the use of the OFF/ON switch, I will have to replace it at some point in the future. Oh well, I'll probably order a spare just to be ready.

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That switch is the least of your worries. It will probably outlast the electric clutch, which probably costs 50 to 100x more than the switch.

BlazNT said:

Yep, I would be removing those switches.

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Switch is the same it is a relay system that shuts down the power.

Yes, clutch is $380, Switch is $33. Thanks for the help.

ashend57 said:

Yes, clutch is $380, Switch is $33. Thanks for the help.

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What CPURVIS is trying to say is that the switch is not likely to wear out whereas the clutch will ultimately fail if it is constantly being disengaged and re-engaged. Have you reached out directly to Cub Cadet to determine if your unit is defective? If this is in fact the proper operation of your unit, you should consider talking to your retailer or dealer about a different mower. I cannot for the life of me figure out why a zero turn would have such a feature when it takes away from the basic function of the mower; to cut!

cruzenmike said:

What CPURVIS is trying to say is that the switch is not likely to wear out whereas the clutch will ultimately fail if it is constantly being disengaged and re-engaged. Have you reached out directly to Cub Cadet to determine if your unit is defective? If this is in fact the proper operation of your unit, you should consider talking to your retailer or dealer about a different mower. I cannot for the life of me figure out why a zero turn would have such a feature when it takes away from the basic function of the mower; to cut!

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One word, well actually four. OSHA

csmlet said:

[/B]

One word, well actually four. OSHA

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Please site the OSHA standard pertaining to blade shutoff when going in reverse. And then please list the actual commercial mowers that have this feature. Thank you!

Mike

This is as close as I could find real quick

The lawn mower industry adopted a voluntary safety
standard in 2003 (ANSI/OPEI B71.1-2003, revised to
ANSI B71.1-2012). This standard requires a “no-mowin-
reverse” mechanism on all new mowers. However,
manufacturers are permitted to install equipment that
overrides this safety feature temporarily

ILENGINE said:

This is as close as I could find real quick

The lawn mower industry adopted a voluntary safety
standard in 2003 (ANSI/OPEI B71.1-2003, revised to
ANSI B71.1-2012). This standard requires a “no-mowin-
reverse” mechanism on all new mowers. However,
manufacturers are permitted to install equipment that
overrides this safety feature temporarily

Click to expand...

There is a HUGE difference between the "industry" adopting a standard created by ANSI and OSHA adopting that same standard. People simply shouldn't cite OSHA standards when they don't know where and how they apply!

I am all for safety, but accidents and injuires stem from unsafe acts or unsafe conditions, both of which are preventable. Having a safety feature that can be bypassed does not help to maintain a safe condition. A person not paying attention to what they are doing is clearly an unsafe act. It is for these reasons that I go back to my original comment. A PTO that disengages when in reverse, that can and will be bypassed by most, is not going to keep someone from getting hurt. Adding seatbelts to cars didn't save any lives . . .

cruzenmike said:

There is a HUGE difference between the "industry" adopting a standard created by ANSI and OSHA adopting that same standard. People simply shouldn't cite OSHA standards when they don't know where and how they apply!

I am all for safety, but accidents and injuires stem from unsafe acts or unsafe conditions, both of which are preventable. Having a safety feature that can be bypassed does not help to maintain a safe condition. A person not paying attention to what they are doing is clearly an unsafe act. It is for these reasons that I go back to my original comment. A PTO that disengages when in reverse, that can and will be bypassed by most, is not going to keep someone from getting hurt. Adding seatbelts to cars didn't save any lives . . .

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I completely agree, When I posted the comment about OSHA I didn't mean to start a discussion on their merits, was just try to say the mower industry as well as all other industries will do all they can to try to prevent lawsuits. Frivolous or otherwise. I worked for the US government for a number of years and have stood a lot of OSHA inspections and still don't understand their rules and regulations.

The confusion is that OSHA and ANSI go hand in hand, and most of the OSHA regs are based on ANSI.

ILENGINE said:

The confusion is that OSHA and ANSI go hand in hand, and most of the OSHA regs are based on ANSI.

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That is correct. Consensus standards, including those created by ANSI, help OSHA in determining the actual "laws" by which companies are governed; OSHA may choose to adopt ANSI standards verbatim. With that being said, OSHA has no jurisdiction over the use of consumer goods, rather they are here to protect the workers, in this case, the lawn care worker. The Consumer Product Safety Commission handles matters (cases) related to consumer safety. Yes, in order to avoid liability, companies will include safety devices on consumer goods, many of which can still be operated safety without those safety devices, yet are necessary to achieve a higher level of safety (which requires then less diligence on behalf of the consumer). Working in Occupational Safety for a living, my biggest issue that I have is taking the responsibility away from the individual doing the work. This isn't to say that we are better off without safety devices, it's just that people should be safety minded as well. I surely meant no offense, but I see the world in the eyes of someone who has been personally affected by someone injured on the job, I work in the industry, and I do as many things as I can in life thinking safety first. Nobody every deserves to be injured, that's for sure!