Safety Interlock System

[Anthony Wendover 124]

The 312-8 I have has a safety system in the seat. The problem is the seat is torn to hell. And I used the seat off of my 84 work horse. That doesn't have the hole in the bottom of the seat so I had to duck tape the safety device to the back of the seat and make is straight. I tried unplugging it but every time I would turn the deck on it shut down. So what I want to know can I take this whole system out? I unplugged it but it didn't work. Although I didn't undo it from the PTO lever. If anyone has any ideas so I don't need this thing duck taped to the seat it be great. Also I wanted to thank everyone for dealing with all my questions over the last couple days and being new here.. Thanks for bearing with me

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,892]

There should be 2 wires on the seat switch. Jump them together and you should be good to go.

[linen beige 15]

There should be 2 wires on the seat switch. Jump them together and you should be good to go.

I second that. The safety interlock is a "normally open" switch that completes the circuit when your body weight on the seat closes it.

[CasualObserver 3,411]

:WRS: Not that anyone here recommends or endorses the bypassing of safety switches! :whistle:

[DMESS 24]

Not that anyone here recommends or endorses the bypassing of safety switches!

I don't think I've had one that DIDN'T have the seat switch bypassed long before I got to it! :WRS:

[rocking 416 1]

ha my seat switch on my 416 has a paper clip for a jumper there it was like that when i took it home from the wheel horse deelership LOL u dont think any one endorses's those switch's

[illinilefttackle 399]

:WRS: I will never forget when my Dad brought home his first riding mower ever-he was so proud of it-he drove it home (over a mile) from the Quality Farm & Fleet he bought it from. When he got it home, he started checking it out, marveling at its construction. He then went to his tool box and got out some wire cutters and some electrical tape-He the raised the seat, clipped of the Safety switch, put the wires together, taped them-and said " Now its Good to Go"-AL

[Banjo 0]

I will never forget when my Dad brought home his first riding mower ever-he was so proud of it-he drove it home (over a mile) from the Quality Farm & Fleet he bought it from. When he got it home, he started checking it out, marveling at its construction. He then went to his tool box and got out some wire cutters and some electrical tape-He the raised the seat, clipped of the Safety switch, put the wires together, taped them-and said " Now its Good to Go"-AL

Is that your dad's first riding mower?

[rocking 416 1]

thats a nice tractor for not being a wheel horse ya no

[Banjo 0]

When I got my 310-8, the switch was laying on the transmission with electrical tape wrapped ALL around it to hold the button down all the time. I hooked it back up and seems to be OK. Mine is the type that pushes up through the rear fender assembly under the seat and the switch is adjustable by setting the position of the two nuts, one on the top of the fender and the ohter on the bottom. I took care to notice the switch pushed down far enough to engage when I sat on the seat but at the same time not stick up too high above the fender assembly as to have the seat bottom out on the switch instead of its normal resting place.

Do people disconnect those because when you bounce around the tractor will stall or they want to get off the tractor with the blades or snow auger running or just in general to eliminate a common point of failure before it happens, or finally, all of the above? :whistle:

[illinilefttackle 399]

Is that your dad's first riding mower?

Banjo-Yes it was-He was an old fashioned, walk behind mower guy-In 1984 he turned 76 years old-he was a retired certified welder for Bendix Aircraft & retired from Oliver Plow. He worked 2 jobs most of his life and didn't believe in "riding" while you mow the grass. He had recovered from Polio in 1950, but it started coming back in his later years-so he bought this Ranch King and rode around the yard after that. I really think he enjoyed it-but he wouldn't act like it!-AL

[Banjo 0]

Al, thanks for sharing your memories with us. Do you still have that machine? Looks like it's for sale being that close to the road.

[illinilefttackle 399]

Banjo- After I got my horse, I did try to sell it-it had cut my grass for several years-I couldn't even get a decent offer for it-so I kept it-it's all wrapped up snug in one of my sheds. I take it out every year and let the my Grandsons cut the grass with it-3 Generations on the same tractor-never changed a belt or any other part-just gave it good maintainence like Dad did. For what it was made for, it does a good job-MTD made a good machine-12.5 Briggs,doesn't use oil between changes,starts and runs like a champ! Seeing my Dad ride it-riding it myself-and now seeing the 2 grandsons on it-really makes my heart full.-AL :whistle:

[Anthony Wendover 124]

Thanks for the help guys.. Here are the pics of the old seat new seat and the thing that was in the seat.

this is how i taped it on new seat

this is what was in the seat

The conector it goes in

and inside of it

So what is is i should do? Put the paper clip in there? Or snip that end off and put the 2 wires togeather?

Just so i am clear on this before i get into it

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,892]

You can make a small jumper wire with some crimp type connectors that way you don't have to worry about a short or ruining the factory connections.

[rocking 416 1]

hey anthony do you have a full picture of ur wheel horse?

[Anthony Wendover 124]

hey anthony do you have a full picture of ur wheel horse?

yes here it is for now i just dropped the bigger rear wheels from the 84 on it also... This weekend im sanding and painting those rims.. Also i cant beleive they use to put slicks on tractors i mowed with them today. I forgot how bad they were all you do is slide lol.. Also i have fingures crossed for a newer deck in top shape too...

The diffrence between new and old rears

The over veiw.. With new rims wheel and seat.. Mufler sanded and ready for paint and the sheild i got for it.,

There you go.. What do you think guys?

[rocking 416 1]

nice tractor nice garage too im jealos i only got a shed! u check out my c-81 pix i just posted

[Anthony Wendover 124]

nylyon i did what you said today and it worked nicley.. At first i wanted to use the switch that is on the fender and the seat pushes down on from the old work horse. But i couldnt get that to work at all. But im glad this did thanks a bunch