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MTD Riding safety switches

16 years ago

I just had service on my MTD riding mower and I think the mechanic messed something up on the safety switches. When he left I did not check the engagement of the blades but the engine ran fine, he replaced something on the transmission. The engine cuts out when I lower the deck lever which also engages the blades. The manual says there are two safety switches I cannot find the stitch button for the engagement/lift. I have called the serviceman daily for at least a week and he has not called back. Can anyone help me locate this switch? The seat switch is ok because I can start the engine without sitting on the seat.

Thanks for any help,

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Comments (5)

tjeffers
16 years ago
Hi Peph,

On my wife's Yardman (MTD) machine, there is a reverse cut out that kills the engine if the blades are lowered while in reverse. The switch on hers is a metal strip that comes in contact with the shifter when put in reverse. If the shifter is in neutral the switch could be making contact and killing the engine. Try moving the shifter slightly forwardand engaging the blades. If still cutting out, trace the wires and strip for a possible short.

{{gwi:336214}}

Terry
peph
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Terry,
I have a Ryobi 600 series and I do see the metal strip you referred to ( it is under the cover plate) and my gear shift is in a Z form with the Forward gear at the top of the Z and that metal strip is on the left side of the gear rod so I tried to move it over but canÂt. My machine also cuts out if the blades are engaged in reverse. I have tried to follow the wires for a short but don't see any; all wires are connected.
I found a button that is depressed when the deck lever is in the stop position but not fully depressed. I can't see if that matters??
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To the OP. Maybe the philosophy is that with no mowing deck, it is no longer a mower and doesn't require the safety switches. Still, you may want to run through the what ifs in your mind and be sure that is the right choice. Seat switches are even a great tool as if you should fall off, the tractor will at least stop, not keep going and do damage to something else. Onward to your project: You could use a variety of switches to crank, shut off and run the headlights- but you could really do that with one switch. If you will be rewiring it anyways, just the cheapest ignition switch that would replace what you have would work. Some switches have a light function in them. It would be a cleaner install. Don't forget the fuse in the wire that travels from the solenoid to the + on the switch. JRJ- unsure why you didn't start your own thread , but it sounds like you have a problem with the seat switch or the wiring. Please start a new thread should you need more help.
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tjeffers
16 years ago
If you have an ohm or continuity meter, check to make sure that there is no reading on that strip with the other lead of the meter connected to a bare part of the frame (ground). On our MTD there are 4 safety switches; the parking brake, seat sw, the reverse cut out metal bar and the deck lowering sensing switch. Even if the parking brake is depressed and locked, and there is no one in the seat, the engine will continue to run but the deck will kill the engine if lowered. This leads me to conclude that if all of these other switches are ok, then you might have a seat switch problem. Again an ohm meter or a continuity meter will help greatly to check these switches. I don't know what that button is that you are referring to does, as our MTD does not have that. Can you determine if it's strictly mechanical or connected to an electrical device?

Keep pluggin, It's gotta be one of these switches.
Terry
peph
Original Author
16 years ago
Eureka!!

I tried again to move the metal strip under the cover plate over the gear shift and moved it to the other side of the rod. Then put it all back together and success!
Now, how much do I owe you?
I can't tell you how much I appreciate this; now if I can just get hold of that service man and ring his neck.
Thank you, thank you
tjeffers
16 years ago
All Right! Congratulations!

Your servicer must have reassembled it incorrectly. Thanks for the follow up. Like me, you've just added to your knowledge of your own machine! Glad to have helped.

Terry

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