Safety/Deadman Switch

[FCUBMAN]

I have done a search, and didn't find anything on this topic - Has anyone put a deadman switch on their Cub? I have very hilly terrain, and would like to add one to mine. I plan to use a microswitch mounted near the bottom of the seat mechanism, actuated by a finger that I would add. It would be in series electrically with the ignition switch, and would kill the engine if I left the seat (intentionally or not ) without switching on a bypass switch. Said switch could be manual, with a warning light that it was activated, or operated off the brake pedal. If the brakes were on, such as when parked, that switch would bypass the seat switch, and the engine would keep running.
Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions? All input is welcome!
Brian

[Farmall560]

I've considered using a tethered switch like those found on Jet Ski's. The idea came to me from a tractor pull years ago. I saw a guy using one on an "M".

[FCUBMAN]

Good idea! Is that the kind of switch that requires the user to wear a wristband and insert a "key" into the switch? Being inherently lazy, I would like something that involves as little user input as practical. But your idea has the great benefit of being easy to "implement" (how's that for tractor talk?). Wiring would be a lot easier, too.

[Farmall560]

Instead of a wrist band, snap it on to your belt buckle or the like. I noticed he had it on when he stood up to dismount the tractor. He had it snapped on his Levi's belt loop. I went over and looked at it later, and sure as heck, it was the same switch used on Jet Ski's....lol He had a little home made plate drilled through the center. Switch was mounted to that plate. The plate was mounted to the steering support post right above the electrical box. Was a nifty idea. I imaging he had just enough length to allow him to stand on the tractor. Also, you could plug it in when you want to run the tractor for tunning or warm up.

[FCUBMAN]

I like that! I hadn't thought about putting the strap anywhere but on the wrist. The belt loop is an excellent idea!

[kinelbor]

The switch is a good idea, and when you are in safe driving you can just leave the lanyard danglin and not worry about it. In my opinion though, I dont think I would ever drive my cub where it was so steep I could get tossed off it.

[wvpolekat]

Nik, the danger isn't any situation you plan for. It's the ones you never think you well get in.

I would bet that anyone who has rolled a tractor would never tell you that they went there figuring it would roll over.

S**t happens, be a prepared as you can.

[cowboy]

I was mowing next to crest of the dropoff along my creek. My woods 42 cought a sapling stump. The tires startid spinning and it slid down the hill. I had to get another tractor to pull it back and off. The side it went off goes about eight foot on a 45 degree andgle to the water. Another time I was running a 8N ford mowing on a slight hill and hit a big log on the up hill side and I thought I was going to go over Ya just never know. Of corse if it goes over I do not know that I would be worried about it running.

BIlly

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

The deadman switch would be a good idea in more than one instance, don't forget the hazards of low limbs, which have been known to remove more than one operator from a tractor, cub and otherwise. As far as the tractor turning over though, the fuel system will shut it down very quickly in that circumstance.

[FCUBMAN]

I intend to use my sickle bar this summer, and will certainly take the hilly terrain into account. But, if the unthinkable happens and we tip over, or I fall off, I would sure like the mower to stop sooner than later, and even a few seconds could make a difference. Unlikely as it is, I would rather be cautious - I've grown attached to my limbs and digits
I'd also like to avoid that sick sensation of lying on the ground and watching my Cub drive itself into the pond...
I like the idea of the tether, which would probably do the least to alter the original looks of my Cub, would be convenient enough that I'd use it, and optional.
Brian

[2 Busy]

What if it stalled while it was on top of you ? Just have to look at both sides of the issue.

[TOOLMAN]

How about you mount a magnetic contact switch behind the dash panel that would than use a magnet to come into contact through the dash Plate being metal it would stick and then you tie this off to your belt.
when Magnet is pulled away the contact opens and tractor shuts down.
Like an home alarm switch contact and one of those 2inch round magnets that have a string loop already on it.
Pull the magnet away tractor stops.and the Look of the Dash is Original because switch is behind.
Toolman

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

toolman, the idea is good, but the magnetic contactors won't work thfough a metal dash. Many even have to have some clearance for other metalic surfaces.

[PageRob]

toolman, the idea is good, but the magnetic contactors won't work thfough a metal dash. Many even have to have some clearance for other metalic surfaces.

Could you cut out part of the dash and replace with a fiberglass section. Painted and all, it shouldn't look noticibly different from the metal, and you'd be potentially able to run the magnet through that...

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

That would work as far as the switch goes, but considering it also supports the fuel tank I am not sure I would want to cut out a section of the dsah.