I had been using my John Deere lawn mower for years. But eventually, like every other power tool or machinery, it began malfunctioning.
The engine wouldn’t start, and if it did, it would stop suddenly during operation. Not knowing what to do, I turned to my neighbor Mr. Cooper for advice. He told me that it was probably the safety switch that needed to be disabled.
Now, I had the solution to my problem, but I wasn’t sure how to go about the process. So, I went back home, took out my laptop, and started my research.
That’s when I realized that not all gardening enthusiasts (like me) know how to bypass safety switch on John Deere lawn mower models. I knew this was a topic that needed to be covered in the form of a guide.
Howdy! I’m Stacy Smith, and today, I’ll be helping you bypass the seat and reverse safety switches on your lawn mower. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it!
How To Bypass The Safety Switch On A John Deere Lawn Mower?
John Deere lawn mowers come with two safety switches - the seat and reverse safety switches. I’ll begin by outlining the steps required to bypass the seat safety switch and then move on to its reverse counterpart.
Tools Required
Before you begin the process of bypassing the safety switch, make sure you arrange the tools and supplies required for the job. Here is a list of things you’ll need:
- Hand gloves
- Pliers
- Goggles
- Ratchet and socket
- Wire nut
- Electrical tape
- Wire cutter and stripper
Once you’ve gathered all of the above, start the process of bypassing the seat safety switch.
Steps To Bypass The Seat Safety Switch Of John Deere Lawn Mowers
Seat safety switches help determine whether or not the rider is still in control of the lawn mower. But if it’s malfunctioning or requires repair work, simply follow the steps to bypass it before repairing or replacing it with a new one.
1. Shut Off The Engine
Place the lawn mower on the flat surface of your garage and then shut off its engine. Also, don’t forget to take the key out of the ignition.
2. Lift The Seat
Allow the engine to cool if it has been running continuously for quite some time. You can then progress to removing the seat by detaching the bolt that keeps it from sliding forward.
3. Locate The Switch
Next, locate the safety switch, usually located at the bottom of the seat. It appears like a plastic harness attached to the seat’s underside.
4. Cut The Switch Wires
You’ll notice two wires running from the mower’s engine to the safety switch. Cut them using a wire cutter and gather them in your hands; they shouldn’t fall into the lawn mower.
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5. Strip Off The Wire Ends
After cutting the wires, you’ll need to strip their ends using wire strippers and twist them together.
6. Cover And Secure The Wires
Use a wire nut to cover the entwined wires and then twist to secure them. After this, wrap the wires and wire nut in place using electrical tape.
7. Put Back The Seat
Finally, put the seat back in place and continue using the John Deere lawn mower normally.
Steps To Bypass The Reverse Safety Switch Of John Deere Lawn Mowers
Reverse safety switches prevent the operator from shifting to reverse, especially while the cutting blades are spinning. That said, follow the steps mentioned below to bypass the switch whenever you notice issues with the lawn mower.
1. Turn Off The Mower
The initial steps are similar to the removal of the seat safety switch. Turn off the engine, remove the key from the ignition, and allow it to cool down.
2. Locate The Battery
Next, lift the hood of the mower and locate its battery. The reverse safety switch of the John Deere models is located near the battery’s negative post.
3. Disconnect The Battery
Once you locate the battery, get ready to disconnect it using a ratchet and a suitable socket. Also, detach the positive wire from its terminal.
4. Disconnect The Wires Of The Safety Switch
As mentioned earlier, the reverse safety switch is usually located near the battery. So, after locating it, look for the plastic harness and wires. Then, grip and press down the harness with wires on the side tab. After this, unplug the wires using your hand, but if you’re unable to do so, use a pair of pliers for the task.
5. Reattach The Battery
Once the wires are disconnected, reattach the battery wires using the ratchet and socket. You may begin with the positive cable; just make sure it’s connected to the right post.
6. Test The Functionality
Last but not least, lower the lawn mower’s hood, sit on the seat, and insert the key into the ignition to engage its cutting blades. You may then place the tractor in reverse to test out its basic functionality.
Summing It Up
On that note, it’s time I took your leave. But before that here’s a bit of advice for you.
Safety switches help prevent accidents and injuries, generally caused due to the lack of control. But they might need to be bypassed as soon as you notice signs of malfunction. This, however, should be temporary as disabling the feature creates the risk of both property and physical harm.
Gather all the tools required for the job and follow the steps mentioned above to go about the process. And I’m sure you won’t need professional assistance.
That’s all the time I had today. I’ll soon return with more step-by-step guides on diverse but relevant topics. Till then, feel free to leave your queries and concerns in the form of a comment down below.
Looking forward to knowing your thoughts!