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How's it going. New member here.
I just bought a Craftsman YT3000 this year and I'm already growing tired of the seat shut off switch. It is VERY sensitive. Under the seat there are 4 wires. 2 are black (I assume they're ground ) and one of them is jumped to the other. the other 2 are different colors. I'm not an electrician but can follow directions well. Do any of you guys know how I might bypass that switch so I can stop cursing when I mow.

:welcome: to the forum, I can't answer your question but someone will be by to help you, just wanted to say welcome.:thumbsup:

Here is a couple ways and links as below. Do this at your own risk as there is a safety reason for the switch and take into account who else may use the mower.

Seat Safety Switch Modification

bypass a seat switch

midnite rider said:

Here is a couple ways and links as below. Do this at your own risk as there is a safety reason for the switch and take into account who else may use the mower.

Seat Safety Switch Modification

bypass a seat switch

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Thank you.
Jumping the wires didn't seem to help. I have know idea why :confused3: I'd figure that all it needed was to complete the circuit.
Anyway.... This is how I fixed it for 10 cents or less.

***Disclaimer DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK*****
I did this because I am the only person that uses the tractor and I ALWAYS shut off the blades before I get off or pick anything up in the yard!!! My yard is also flat so I don't have to worry about the tractor rolling.

1. Remove the seat
2. Remove (Twist) the seat shut-off assembly
3. Seperate the shut-off switch (grey) and the outer housing (black).
4. Super glue 2 nickels (or washers to the same thickness) to the inside of the outer housing. ***This is used to depress the shut off button when assembled***
5. Put everything back together

What happens when you want to sell or trade in this unit? I know how to disable all the switches but you'll never see me post them. Disclaimers don't mean anything. Disabling safety devices just is not worth it, no matter what the reason behind it.

Rivets said:

What happens when you want to sell or trade in this unit? I know how to disable all the switches but you'll never see me post them. Disclaimers don't mean anything. Disabling safety devices just is not worth it, no matter what the reason behind it.

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Take a min and cut em' off. Everything will be just fine. The shut off on my tractor was so sensitive that it would stall when I went around a tree and leaned a little or when I hit a bump. I've read many complaints on this concerning this model. Hey, it suits my needs just fine. This isn't for everyone, I understand. That said, if the moderator wants to remove this.... then I understand.

Also be aware that in some states, if you take the mower to a repair shop they are required by law to check all safety equipment and repair any defects before returning mower to owner.

What does that mean. It means if I see a safety switch cut off, I must replace the safety switch or switches and test that each and every one is working and repair the entire circuit. This is all at the cost to the customer, there is no waiver that you can sign. The only thing we can do is tell you to take it somewhere else, because we are not only liable if something should happen, but can also receive a state and federal fine.

Rivets said:

What does that mean . It means if I see a safety switch cut off, I must replace the safety switch or switches and test that each and every one is working and repair the entire circuit. This is all at the cost to the customer, there is no waiver that you can sign. The only thing we can do is tell you to take it somewhere else, because we are not only liable if something should happen, but can also receive a state and federal fine.

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Or....... the owner that put the washers/nickels on there could simply spend 3 min to take off the seat and remove them before taking it to be serviced. It is not a huge deal!!! Geez people.... I asked a question to help a 37 year old enjoy cutting his lawn. I don't need a lecture on things. I'm fully aware that I shouldn't stick my finger/hand/foot/tongue in the blades as it will cut them off.

I answered the question to help the hundreds of people operate their equipment properly and safely. You're not the only one who reads this forum. Those of us who are mechanics have to give out information that addresses the problem for everyone who reads it. Even though I am not working on any of the pieces of equipment I reply to, I still have a customer service side that must warn the customer when they are doing something wrong. Any good mechanic or friend would do the same thing. Also, I do believe that it is a little difficult to remove nickels which a super glued in, without damaging something.

Bypassing switches is something that I have done to my Cub Cadets. I bypassed the lap bar switches on both the Z Force mowers to be able to mow in reverse and save some time. The thing is that if they were so important why do the Commercial mowers come without all the safety features. My GS doesn't have a switch on the platform so the blades shut down when I step off nor do the blades shut down when I move in reverse. Now I'm not saying what I did to my CC was right but it suited my needs, but for the manufacturer to think the Commercial operators are some how more suited to operate equipment than the homeowner is IMO an unreasonable thought. Rivets perhaps you can explain the manufacturers set ups and the thinking behind them?

I can't speak for the manufactures, I just know the rules that the government has imposed on the dealers to protect the customers. We don't like them either, but must protect ourselves and our families by following them. Don't think many people even know why blade brakes and safety switches came about. The blade break bail started it all because two individuals wanted a faster way to trim the hedge between their properties. They started up their mower and raised it up and started trimming. As you can guess, something went wrong, both lost fingers, sued the mower manufacturer and won. The rest of the story is that the government is only Trying to help you by listing requirements and everyone else must CYA. If people don't want me to tell you that something your doing can get you in trouble, don't tell me your doing it. I'm not from the government, but this forum is for help and customer service, even if you don't like the answer.

Rivets said:

I can't speak for the manufactures, I just know the rules that the government has imposed on the dealers to protect the customers. We don't like them either, but must protect ourselves and our families by following them. Don't think many people even know why blade brakes and safety switches came about. The blade break bail started it all because two individuals wanted a faster way to trim the hedge between their properties. They started up their mower and raised it up and started trimming. As you can guess, something went wrong, both lost fingers, sued the mower manufacturer and won. The rest of the story is that the government is only Trying to help you by listing requirements and everyone else must CYA. If people don't want me to tell you that something your doing can get you in trouble, don't tell me your doing it. I'm not from the government, but this forum is for help and customer service, even if you don't like the answer.

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I know your not from the government and I know what your doing, saying and why. Thing that I don't understand and never have is and it seems there is a different set of rules for the homeowner vs the Commercial operator. The thing is that I'm fixing on going out the door in a few minutes work on a mower which I do six days a week and to my way of thinking the rules would need to be applied to to someone like me who uses equipment everyday and mows lawn for living more so than someone or a homeowner that maybe uses there mower once a week on there own property, but I guess maybe the greatest number of accidents occur to the homeowner than the Commercial operators. Would that be right.

I would suspect that the average user of a commercial unit is a bit smarter the the average homer owner. Look at the cost of the unit. Would many home owners pay that price? Remember, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you". In today's law suit happy society, I'm surprised that there aren't more rules. All you have to do is read some of the posts on this forum and you will see individuals who are trying to do repairs, who should be allowed to own a screwdriver, as well as those who offer advice, because they slepted at a "Holiday Inn" last night.

Rivets said:

I would suspect that the average user of a commercial unit is a bit smarter the the average homer owner. Look at the cost of the unit. Would many home owners pay that price? Remember, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you". In today's law suit happy society, I'm surprised that there aren't more rules. All you have to do is read some of the posts on this forum and you will see individuals who are trying to do repairs, who should be allowed to own a screwdriver, as well as those who offer advice, because they slepted at a "Holiday Inn" last night.

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With all due respect, since I am new here and your a long time standing member you can take my comment with a grain of salt but let me debunk your theory above that somehow a commercial operator is smarter than a average home owner.

I work with a lady who's husband owns and operates a lawn care business. They can't keep people on staff? Why? Because they are all losers. Can't show up to work on time, does drugs on the job...etc... What's my point? Well these are the people they hire (the only people that apply for this type of job) and all of them have felony records and they operate Commercial mowers. I have a little trouble when I hear that people are smarter if they operate a commercial mower.

MOmilkman said:

Because they are all losers. Can't show up to work on time, does drugs on the job...the only people that apply for this type of job) .

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Being new here this sure ain't a good way to make friends and receive help with your questions.
Ive cut grass for 16 years for one employer.
I took your remarks very offensive.
So go pound sand mr knowitall.

Milkman, no harm, no foul. In every profession there is that 5% who don't fit into the group and make everyone look bad. Even this forum has their share, people who think own a machine and slept at a "Holiday Inn" last night, are now experts on that brand and post that way.

Ric said:

I know your not from the government and I know what your doing, saying and why. Thing that I don't understand and never have is and it seems there is a different set of rules for the homeowner vs the Commercial operator. The thing is that I'm fixing on going out the door in a few minutes work on a mower which I do six days a week and to my way of thinking the rules would need to be applied to to someone like me who uses equipment everyday and mows lawn for living more so than someone or a homeowner that maybe uses there mower once a week on there own property, but I guess maybe the greatest number of accidents occur to the homeowner than the Commercial operators. Would that be right.

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I dont know we have had a few commercial operators here roll over trying to mow steep inclines on ztrs, and get killed. Slopes, and ztr mowers dont go good together but there have been a few incidents here with kids that are to young to mow their own lawn get hurt. Homeowner, or commercial operator just depends on how safe you try to operate I would think?

Parkmower said:

Being new here this sure ain't a good way to make friends and receive help with your questions.
Ive cut grass for 16 years for one employer.
I took your remarks very offensive.
So go pound sand mr knowitall.

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What I meant to say was they are the only people that they have been able to hire for their lawn care business. I was out of line to say only people that do that are losers. Not what I intended to say but none the less, I said it. I owe you a apology for that I suppose. No doubt there are a lot of fine folks out there that don't own lawn care business's but still work in the profession.
I'm usually pretty good at not raising anyone's ire in a forum setting. I guess all streaks must come to a end at some point. ;-)

"The rest of the story is that the government is only Trying to help you "

WOW!!! I hope that is sarcasm

But seriously, I am grateful for the info about bypassing the seat shut off switch.

Wow - some of you are hanging on pretty tight here.

Like the guy said, he's trying to just mow his lawn in his way without the tractor constantly backfiring and shutting off every time he leans away from the holly bush that takes more blood than the red cross.

I too have a newer (2 yrs) YT3000 and the seat shutoff is a royal pain in the posterior. I am 240 lbs and 6'3" tall and it was constantly malfunctioning. Another modification I made on that tractor was to take the deck height handle and chuck that in my bench vise and then use my MAPP torch to bend that sucker down instead of the straight up position which only served to try to castrate me every time I got on and off the mower with my deck at 4 or higher.

Modifying equipment to work for the owner is an age old thing. Garden tractors didn't have safety switches years ago and we managed to only maim and kill a few operators. I think that for a mower to be safe, it first has to be fully functional. If the seat switch is too sensitive and it provides no adjustment feature to make it less sensitive, then you do what you have to do to make it work for you.

Ease up and don't hold on so tightly. We'll all live to sever another limb in a rollover if that happens, but in the mean time, where's the safety switch on the grass chute that prevents owners from clearing clogs with spinning blades and losing fingers. I know a ton more people with missing fingers from trying to clear plugged grass in the catcher than from roll-overs and seat switch malfunctions.
:2cents:

New toro timecutter 16-44 zero turn owner. Anyone familiar with how to disconnect safety seat shutoff switch?

The wiring diagram I was looking at looks like you need to just disconnect the gray wire. What is the sears model number. 917-28921 ??? I will need a wiring diagram to tell you for sure and that is why I will need the model #.

Mike0311 said:

New toro timecutter 16-44 zero turn owner. Anyone familiar with how to disconnect safety seat shutoff switch?

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Have you tried lifting the seat and disconnecting the switch and using a jumper wire across the female end. That worked on my Cub Cadet ztr.

jbeambabie said:

Thank you.
Jumping the wires didn't seem to help. I have know idea why :confused3: I'd figure that all it needed was to complete the circuit.
Anyway.... This is how I fixed it for 10 cents or less.

***Disclaimer DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK*****
I did this because I am the only person that uses the tractor and I ALWAYS shut off the blades before I get off or pick anything up in the yard!!! My yard is also flat so I don't have to worry about the tractor rolling.

1. Remove the seat
2. Remove (Twist) the seat shut-off assembly
3. Seperate the shut-off switch (grey) and the outer housing (black).
4. Super glue 2 nickels (or washers to the same thickness) to the inside of the outer housing. ***This is used to depress the shut off button when assembled***
5. Put everything back together

View attachment 13958View attachment 13959

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I thank you for the tip, I did it a little differently, I cut two pieces of paint stirrer sticks the sized to fit the inside of the switch no glue just set them in there and put the switch back to gather and worked great !!

I would press the switch down and then drill a hole thru the body and slip a pin into the body to keep it down. Another tractor I just cut out the offending wire / wires then thru away the wiring harness.
My latest craftsman tractor pissed me off one day and I did the later. 2 years later (this spring) I was attaching a homemade rear attaching roller / plug maker while the machine was running. Because this roller is a large drum filled with water (when filled with water it's rather heavy). I could not attach the hitch (while sitting on the seat) so I reached at the bottom of the tractor and disconnected the transmission by pulling that pin on the lower rear area of the tractor. Once I pulled the pin, I got off the tractor and stood behind the tractor inside the V-hitch area of the roller. I pushed the tractor around so the hitch pin would drop into place.

This was done with the tractor running at fast idle (the transmission lever was still at full speed). At the time all the safeties were removed, No clutch, or seat switch were working.

Well, as I finished hooking up the roller / plug attachment, stupidly, I reached down to the bottom of the tractor as my leg was behind the tractor still in the v-hitch area and reactivated the transmission lever. My right leg was in front of the roller, between the machine and roller. The machine lurched forward and I was run over by my own roller! I nearly broke my leg. The only thing that saved me was I literally pulled my leg free of the roller. As I limped off from under the roller, the machine was traveling down the back yard without the operator...

When I caught up to it, it went 40' or so until I shut it off.

Long story short, I repaired the wiring and I reattached all the safeties. I still have a small scab on my leg months later were the plug cut thru my shin. I was stupid for letting the machine run as I attached the roller, but accidents happen and if the machine was working as it should, I wouldn't have got hurt...

Either keep your brain engaged at all times, or leave the safeties alone. IMHO I'm getting senile so I reattached the safties.... This roller wouldn't have got me 30 years ago.:laughing:

wjjones said:

I dont know we have had a few commercial operators here roll over trying to mow steep inclines on ztrs, and get killed. Slopes, and ztr mowers dont go good together but there have been a few incidents here with kids that are to young to mow their own lawn get hurt. Homeowner, or commercial operator just depends on how safe you try to operate I would think?

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When I was 15-ish I rolled dads Sears 6hp riding lawnmower over on a very steep edge of his property. The mower rolled 3 or 4 full times and stopped on the tires. I didn't get hurt but I was more afraid of him then of getting hurt with the machine.....Back then there were no safties. I think the machine stalled out as it tumbled over and over down the hill.:ashamed:

Come to think of it, he done the same trick, but he ended up bending the stearing wheel. He said he was leaning over on the seat and a tire hit a stump and over he went. The 26" blade was running wide open as he pushed his leg clear of the machine. He got lucky that day from getting hurt bad.

jbeambabie said:

Or....... the owner that put the washers/nickels on there could simply spend 3 min to take off the seat and remove them before taking it to be serviced. It is not a huge deal!!! Geez people.... I asked a question to help a 37 year old enjoy cutting his lawn. I don't need a lecture on things. I'm fully aware that I shouldn't stick my finger/hand/foot/tongue in the blades as it will cut them off.

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HA HA HA HA.... I was thinking the same thing. But us small engine guys like to refresh our attorney skills from time to time.