A John Deere lawnmower usually comes with two safety switches.
Among the two switches, one safety switch hinders the engine in case the user gets off the seat, whereas the other one restricts the user from using the lawnmower in reverse if the button is not pushed.
If you want to learn about how to bypass both these safety switches on a John Deere lawnmower, this article just made things a whole lot easier.
Through this write-up, you will get a detailed step to step guide on how to disable these safety switches, so make sure to read each step carefully.
When To Bypass The Safety Switch On The John Deere Lawnmower?
How many times have you had to face the issue of a stalled engine while mowing down your lawn just because you got off your seat for a second, leaned forward a little too much, or slid to one side?
Oh, and what about all those times your mower won’t go in reverse just because you forgot to press a tiny button.
Let’s face it, this has happened to the best of us, but things can get frustrating when your lawnmower won’t start, leading you to think that there’s something wrong with it when in reality, your lawnmower is in perfect condition it’s just the work of those irritating safety switches.
If you use the John Deere lawnmower for professional work, things can get even more exasperating because you need to complete multiple projects in a single day.
In such a scenario, you need your lawnmower to do work as flawlessly and quickly as possible, yet these safety switches hinder your productivity levels. If you’re tired of having to deal with these switches, it’s best to disconnect them.
However, before you make this decision, don’t forget that these switches are placed by the manufacturers for your safety and the prevention of any injuries or accidents.
But if you think that bypassing them will eliminate your difficulties, here’s everything you need to know about how to do it.
Step To Follow
This is a simple and easy process. You can do this at home and all on your own, even if you don’t have any specialized skills.
The entire process is super quick, so it will take you fifteen minutes to get your lawnmower up and running.
This doesn’t mean that you don’t take the necessary precaution, so kindly wear safety gloves and carefully operate the tools needed in the process to prevent any injury.
How To Bypass The Reverse Safety Switch On John Deere Lawnmower?
The reverse safety switch prevents you from mowing in reverse unless you press the button first. You will need to follow these directions to bypass it.
To get things started, here is a list of tools you will need:
- Wire cutters or strippers
- Electrical Tape
- Small wire Connector
Step1
Turn off the engine, and to ensure that you have completely cut the power off, take the key out of the ignition.
Step 2
The first thing you need to do is raise the hood of your tractor. Look under the dash area to locate the wire harness for the switch.
The wire harness is very easy to find, as it is right behind the switch, most likely at the opposite side of the button.
If you still can’t see it, notice that only two wires are going towards it, so all you have to do is follow them.
Step 3
Once you have found the harness, you need to unplug it. This can be done by raising the ear on the female plug and gently pulling it apart from the male plug.
Step 4
Cut the harness off while ensuring that you leave enough wire in case you want to install it later.
Step 5
Proceed by stripping the wires and gently tying them together; here, you will use the small wire connecter to secure them.
Step 6
To ensure that the wires remain intact and look neat, tape them together with the help of electrical tape.
Step 7
Finish off by taping the wires to the harness and plug it back in just like it was done before.
How To Disconnect The Seat Safety Switch On John Deere Lawn Mowers?
The seat safety switch, which is located directly under the driver’s seat, shuts off the John Deere mower if the user tries to put it in gear while not being seated.
As when the operator stands, an electrical circuit breaks up and prevents the lawnmower from being placed in gear. Follow the guide to bypass this safety switch.
Tools required:
- Wire nut
- Wire strippers
- Wire cutters
Step 1
Turn the engine by removing the key from the ignition and allow it to cool down.
Step 2
Tilt-up the seat. Now you have to find the safety switch, which will be present at the bottom of the operator’s seat.
The switch will look like a plastic wire harness that is attached to two wires that run from under the seat to the engine.
Step 3
Cut each wire with the help of the wire cutter while ensuring you keep them firmly in your hands separately.
Step 4
Next, strip the ends of each wire and connect them by twisting them together tightly.
Step 5
In the final step, all you need to do is twist the wire nut over the two wires and tape it to the harness to hold it in place.
Conclusion
After reading the guide, I bet you realized just how easy this task is, save the extra few bucks and do it yourself!
It is recommended not to permanently disable the switch, however, because you may face issues in reclaiming the warranty in the future.
I hope you found this article insightful, and it helped you in understanding how to bypass the safety switches on your John Deere lawnmower.
Gary says
I have a John Deere diesel reel mower. Sometimes it will start sometimes it won’t I’ve taken it to the dealer several times haven’t been able to figure out which sensor is stopping it from starting.
don bartz says
I have a new x390 JD tractor that presently has the snowblower mounted on it. I do a lot of back and forth blowing and to me having the blower stop and restart it each time creates a lot of unnecessary wear on the clutch and belt. I have unplugged the reverse switch but the blower still stops the minute I touch the reverse pedal. The icon on the screen shows the pto engaged, but the blower has to be restarted. Do I need to splice the two wires together after disconnecting, or what is my next step?