DIY Hack for Disabling a John Deere Seat Safety Switch

DIY Hack for Disabling a John Deere Seat Safety Switch
Are you tired of having to turn off the engine every time you need to hop off the lawn mower? Finally, you can disable the safety switch on your John Deere mower so that you can keep running and keep working. This easy DIY hack is for the John Deere series 100 riding lawn mowers and bypasses the safety switch for the seat AND the blade. The best part is that we show you how to leave the wires in tact in case you need to reconnect the safety switch at another time.
--Watch More Crazy Farm Living Channel Videos--
Gravity Fed Water Barrel for under $20
• Gravity Fed Water Barr...
How to Make a DIY Duck Feeder
• How to Make a DIY Duck...
Selective Tree Removal with a Fecon Mulcher
• Selective Tree Removal...
--Subscribers Crazy Farm Living Channel For More Videos--
/ @crazyfarmliving
--Follow Us--
► Facebook:- / crazyfarmliving
► Instagram :- / crazyfarmliving
► Pinterest :- / crazyfarmliving
► Website :- www.crazyfarml...
#crazyfarmliving #crazyfarm

[@kingnothing9572]

Worked like a charm. All these damn safety features.

[@jimgordon3206]

This is the kind of video I like. It’s short and concise. The other swears like a drink sailer and can never get to the point. He took 19 minutes to cover what you did in 5. Well done and thank you very much.

[@user-np6md6kd5l]

He is the first one that mentioned disconnecting the lead that makes a loop. It really worked.

[@taminacarver7348]

This is exactly what I was hoping for!! Thank you so very much!!😊😊

[@michaelbutz6057]

Thank you so much! I've been wanting to do this forever. Who would have thought it was this easy? And thank you for being short and to the point. You are awesome.

[@kirtthallman8295]

If you move the seat to the position closest to the steering wheel you can access the wire connection by tilting the seat, therefore you don’t have to unbolt the seat. Removing that wire loop was key. Thank you so much.

[@garyselby5074]

Thanks! I spent about 2hrs looking through videos that didn't have the removing jumper part. WHICH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING! You're da man!

[@KenDebono]

On my 2017: JD X380, when I hop off the seat the engine keeps going as long as the parking brake is engaged - however, the mower blades stop rotating. If you hop off and the brake is not on, the engine shuts off. Once you hop back on you have to re-engage the blades. To protect your belts from stretching/breaking, throttle down before re-engaging the blades. I don't know why someone thinks that re-engaging the blades is an annoyance.

[@ToddLashley]

Exactly what Ive been looking for. Watched others talk about a MAKING a jumper. This worked like a charm. Thanks.

[@glennbourque]

Yo Crazy Farm Living, YOU DA MAN. I messed with the seat switch last season and didn't engaged the blades until this season. Pulled that wire and off I go!! Thanks Dude!!!

[@andrewkeeney701]

Exactly what I needed to know. Thank you. Andy

[@andyschindler]

Perfect fix. Too easy. My issue was pto not engaging, or killing the motor when it did. Sometimes it would work, & then cut off. Very frustrating. I would hear a hissing sound when engaging, & sometimes it would come on, & others times it would kill the motor. After disabling the seat safety switch, no problems at all. For reference I am mowing with a E-170, & my switch looked identical to the one in this video. Takes longer to take the seat off, than do this mod. Thanks for the video...!

[@goldentrim344]

Thank you so much. helped me big time. Now my free 115 starts without me having to sit down.

[@FrankTamasy-ex9io]

This is the first one and best fix that addresses the disabling the seat switch and also be able to engage the mower without killing the engine. Don't cut a bunch of wires just pull pin 3 and tape off. Thanks for the great information 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@jameskubis4283]

You saved my bacon , by showing me how to disable seat switch on my tractor, thanks you rock !!!!!

[@Glennoutdoors]

Thanks for your time

[@cindyjohnson4208]

Thank you, I was hoping for just this video, you did a awesome job of showing how it all works

[@douglas1982b]

This is the video I was looking for ! I just use my mower for a yard tractor so this is perfect.

[@anthonyhugger5447]

Thank you very much! I bought an aftermarket seat and the switch doesn’t fit in the bottom of the seat very well, so you just save me a bunch of time. Thank you!

[@clark-r]

Very nice. I've got a L120 that doesn't have spark and going to try this next. Think I've got it down to the killswitches at least. Thanks for sharing! Didn't realize it was that simple.

[@TTheFord17]

@CrazyFarmLiving - thank You. The safety seat switch disabled my tractor and blew out my Starter Solenoid, I had to disable the switch & get a new solenoid for it to start again…in -20 Plowing snow

[@chainsawcabinetshop492]

Thank you. You are the first video that addressed the blade not engaging after by passing the seat switch. That is number one project in the morning. I couldn't wait for morning. I just went out and "fixed" my E130. Neither side of the jumper wanted to pull out. I was afraid that with too much pressure, the wire might break off from the tab. So I did cut the jumper in the middle, and now a butt connector will hook them back up. Disengaging the blades before getting off and reengaging them when I get back on is no problem. I use the mower as a yard tractor to pull a small trailer to haul things around. Thanks again.

[@GetRealBaby]

So this trick worked for you? I couldn't pull out the jumper as you called it and, like you, I'm leery of pulling too hard and stripping the wire inside the switch. But I'll try your way with a butt connector in mind, cutting the jumper wire. Seems an easy job to lengthen this small jumper wire to put the thing back to factory in case I eventually don't like the idea of a no-safety seat switch. Thanks for your input!

[@Boxcar75]

I just pulled the wire out and still shuts off immediately when engaging the blades

[@GetRealBaby]

@@Boxcar75 Same with mine. The guy in the video has a LA145. It's possible only LA145 mowers are able to be worked in the way the video describes. My LA100 will remain as is...no seat cut-off switch.

[@Boxcar75]

@@GetRealBaby I have the D140 John Deere has the same seat switch and PTL blade engage switch. Take my pliers pulled off that little jumper wire and still the engine stalls when I hit the switch.

[@GetRealBaby]

@@Boxcar75 I found the solution: Remove the entire seat cut-off unit and zip-tie the push button down, which will act as though someone is on the seat and pushing the push button down. Saw a video where this worked. I haven't tried it but let me know if you do and if it actually works. I don't see why it wouldn't. The only thing that happens when you sit on the seat is that it pushes that little button down. Zip-tying the button down acts as your body on the seat. Good luck.

[@bubbapate5740]

I have always thought about disabling the seat switch on my JD LT160 mower because sometimes I would bend over the side to move to grab something and the engine would start dying. I am VERY glad I didn't. I had to replace the seat last August because a dumb thing I did. The new seat I got was a tall back seat although my original John Deere seat, was a short back. I was mowing in amongst some of my large mesquite trees and I was looking back and turned to look front and caught a 9 inch diameter limb with my forehead and it literally rolled me of the back of the mower splitting the back off the seat. I am 71 years old and fortunately the mower stopped dead within inches, it took me a while to get up. So I am glad I never disabled the seat switch. However I did disable the reverse button you had to push and hold to go backwards and that was easy but I did that years ago. I have had this JD LT160 since 1983 I think. Great lawn mower.

[@user-iz2uu7sw2r]

Thank for for actually showing how it’s done sir!

[@essiemohaddess7669]

Thank you so much. Your video is very helpful.

[@danatkinson8798]

Thank you, I've been messing around with that switch for 3 years. I have an old Craftsman with a 3 wire 2 prong plug, so I snipped the single wire and no more problems. You know what you are talking about ! I have another problem, it's getting really hard to shift, sometimes I can hardly get it in gear. It's a 5 speed stick shift. Thanks again !!!

[@brusselsprout5851]

👍🏻 Here is a signed release of liability. You’re a gem. Thank you!

[@samsongarner1518]

Thank you.

[@bobw222]

You don't have to take the seat off. Just slide the seat all the way forward on the mount and you can unplug the switch easily.

[@timothywinkelman7198]

Thank you for this video! I thought I had to cut and solder a wire but can't find a wiring diagram. This is what I needed. Also, thanks for the short and precise video!!!

[@donaldpeterson9521]

Outstanding video. Solves ALL the problems, worked like a charm on my S240. You saved me a ton of time trying to do what I did NOT know how to do. Thanks again for this GREAT short and to the point video!!

[@irocss85]

Thanks. I figured it would be pretty simple. Now i know what to do "in case of an emergency" Now do the reverse kill switch for the pto

[@RussW.]

Great easy hack, thank you for posting!

[@GetRealBaby]

Unfortunately, as easy as your short wire came out of the switch, mine will not. Maybe on the LA100 series, some wires are pressed into place as mine appear to be, or simply stuck in with room to spare as yours appear to be. I'm not that concerned. I would have enjoyed the experience of an on/off seat switch, but I've lived with this for years, so it's no biggie. Thanks for the vid. I might get in there again one day and push out the connector with a thin-blade flat-head screw driver, but for now I'll make sure the kids keep the lawn picked up before mowing. Your straight forward approach to solving an issue is commendable. Thanks again!

[@quezlark7875]

Try grabbing the wire with needle nose pliers and giving a good tug. Mine didn't pull out either at first by hand.

[@GetRealBaby]

@@quezlark7875 Since my comment, my grandson found the key to the JD and backed it up a ramp meant for a narrower based vehicle, flipped the JD over and was lucky the seat switch cut the engine off otherwise he would be missing one of his hands, or at best some fingers of that hand. My advice is to keep the switch in place if you've got kids visiting.

[@charleshunt3806]

Thank you that was very helpful

[@bleepnsheep2310]

Thanks I've heard I'm an idiot for doing this. But I hate having my tractor die when I get off to move or pick up debris. Good video.

[@markb8954]

Just engage the parking break.

[@andysukosd8177]

Thank you 🙏

[@MySouder]

Thank you,you saved me hours of work

[@cuttzservices4114]

THIS WAS A BLESSING..MY JOHN DEERE L120 DIDN'T START AFTER STOPPING. IT WAS SUGGESTED I CHANGE SPARK PLUG, SOLENOID, AND STARTER WHICH I DID AND L120 DIDN'T START. I THINK IT'S THIS SWITCH.

[@GetRealBaby]

will try this tomorrow...thanks!

[@leviathon98]

thank you very much for the video i was having trouble with it dying also until you showed the xrea wire that needed to be pulled..... when i ingaged the mower deck

[@brucenorris4639]

Very helpful works perfect but no need to take seat off just slide fully forward and theres a opening in the metal bracket that makes it reachable

[@garyjordan3181]

Good deal, and now if you want to sell or trade for upgrade you can just plug it back in. 👍

[@jimgrady7458]

Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for 👍

[@icu-81too]

Thanks !!!

[@JBo2734]

Thank you sir!

[@chrishelms1967]

Thanks.....It was driving me nuts

[@Hellfirepaintball]

Thanks that was my problem fixed now thanks to you

[@TGun7]

Great instructional. Thank you for making this. Liked, subscribed, hit the notification bell.

[@tommy-time5240]

Thanks for sharing that tip.

[@sunnydays4966]

Are you even still alive after you roll lawnmower and lands on top of you hit a tree on a top of cliff you fly then the lawnmower will chase you.

[@roydenvickers]

Thanks Dude.

[@Mc-qj4lk]

I like it. I'll probably find a way to get in trouble. But I like it. Thanks.

[@flyingjmerritt]

i did the same thing to mine! except i took the switch off the seat and put a hose clamp over the button.

[@TommyLawson-yc3ru]

Thank you for this sir! Under my seat it only has 2wires,which are yellow & reddish/pink...how should I go about bypassing mine? Thank you for your time sir!

[@mustardgreen6312]

I tried this on my E100 and it didn't change anything. I was so bummed out😞 I even took a picture of your video when you pulled out the black jumper that's connected by itself and it matches exactly with what I did. I then went ahead and theft the switch disconnected all together and it worked disabling the seat switch and also let me function the tractor normally for mowing etc.. So anyone dealing with the E100 I hope that helps you.

[@MrDWales]

It worked just great. Many thanks. Now how about the brake switch to start the mower? I know there is a bypass for that one too.

[@crazyfarmliving]

Haven’t figured that one out yet! But I’m working on it. 🙂

[@RussW.]

I removed the plunger switch from the rail and wrapped a zip tie around to close it and to be able to revert back to factory if need be. Game changer!

[@gosselinsergegs]

Thank you so easy

[@jasonbarbaro597]

Thanks guy!

[@sumpunonel262]

Terrific video sir. Thanks so much

[@sumpunonel262]

Wish I could give more than 1 like!

[@ElvisImpersonator-f]

Easy peazy lemon squeezy

[@leguerrierdumental5521]

Thank you so much, I was about to buy another tractor

[@BlankSlate1111]

I realize that this is an old video but hopefully you'll see this question. Can I simply just cut across the entire bundle of wires? It's an old LA165 ,and it requires that I pull off the seat to unplug it and I simply don't want to.

[@godsforces1776]

Thank You 👏👏

[@jesperwiese4350]

NIce video........... however wire how do you "just pullout" the wire?? Mine will not "just"come out😀 is there a trick to this. Thanks

[@Roadking-ze9tn]

Thank you

[@XXXLJOHNSON]

Would this work for the LA 105 model as well ?

[@thomasr9826]

Thanks. I had a dead battery, I jumped it but when got up to disconnect the jumper cables the tractor died. The battery was still too weak to start the tractor. Frustrating!

[@82dupont]

Try disengaging the orange brake handle on the left side of the mower and see what happens? Mine shuts off when i disengage the orange brake handle and want to move forward.

[@m2hmghb]

I don't understand why deere didn't put a switch on it so you can get on and off with it running. It's aggravating to stop for 10 seconds to move tree branches and get back on to have to restart the mower etc. I do however want the safety when I'm mowing on hills.

[@tommyanderson4992]

Yep awesome video. Thumbs up.

[@hermbacchus6931]

I have this same problem. With my Deere L110. It started but when I engage the mower drop down blades the engine shuts down and the fuse blows. I replace the fuse, restart and the same thing happens. I did 1/2 of what u did but didn’t disconnect and tape down the wire on the seat safety switch as did … I will try that and see .. thanks …my only concern is what causes the fuse to,blow?

[@60Oldfart]

The seat safety switch is for old operator and in case they fell off due to heat stroke etc. etc. the machine will shut off automatic for the safety of everyone. you can add a bypass switch to keep the engine running while you get off the machine which is again pointless because it only takes 1 to 3 seconds to start the engine back up..

[@dustinmears255]

No luck on my d105. Any other suggestions?

[@dannygoff6289]

Much appreciated

[@eswords1]

great video thank you sir. My problem is that I cannot pull that 'jumper' wire out of its socket on the plug. In your video, you give a little tug and out it comes. Your plug is clean and I am guessing pretty new. My LA155 is VERY old and getting the whole plug out was a bit of a struggle as the plastic is old not as 'well formed' as when new (sun, heap, cold etc. have 'warped' it a bit.But I did get it apart and was proceeding to pull the 'jumper' wire out as you do so easily on yours. Problem is on mine it will not come out, period. I tried a LOT of finger pressure and pulling, no good. I tried pliers on the wire as close to the plug as I could and a LOT of hard pulling, and no good, it would not come out. I then tried seeing if there was a 'catch' on the other side of the plug that was designed to keep the wire in and needed to be 'pushed aside' to 'release the jumper wire connector from the plug. It appeared there is, but I tried many different ways to move that bit of plastic while at the same time pulling on the wire and no good. Any thoughts? As you say in your video, a lot of people just cut the 4 wires to the plug altogether; but like you, I am trying NOT to do that in order to keep the option open to reattach the plug if I would ever want to. That said, since that wire will not come out of the plug, I am just about to cut just the jumper wire, which of course should have the same effect as pulling the connector out of you did; and then just try to make another spade connector connection on the two cut ends that I can disconnect to get back to being able to being able to reattach the entire plug should I want to. So again, any ideas or tips? Thanks again.

[@carollawrence8124]

I used a pair of needle nose pliers and gave it a tug. Came out!

[@jesperwiese4350]

never mind............ got it out...........:)

[@prolifictroll9387]

What do I do if I cut the wires what wires do i connect to what

[@jayrowe6473]

Any ideas on where to get a seat to replace a Scott's John Deere L1742? I bought a plastic one last year and the switch doesn't fit because the new seat is too stiff, plus one of the four screw inserts broke and spins.

[@diverdon184]

Didn't work on my L110. Took a while to get the wire out too. Any suggestions?

[@oakaxes8976]

I have 4 JD's, a 265, 318, X500 and X540. If I want to step off for some reason I set the break and step off. They keep running. I grew up around farms and equipment, I'm very aware of safety features. I had a friend at work that turned his dad's tractor over and cut off half of one hand and half of one foot. Just because his dad thought it was cool when he found out how to jump the switch. I can't believe some one can be so lazy they can't push the brake down and set the lock, then step off?

[@nhbountyhunter]

Sorry to hear that. This is why safeties are put into place. When people do dumb things like roll over a tractor they need to be protected from their own dumb self. As far as I am concerned don't roll over a tractor. If the grade is too steep don't mow it. Don't turn too sharply or fast. Be smarter or pay. I have a friend that rolled a dixy chopper. He had a bypassed seat safety as well. He did not get cut by the blades. But he admitted that it was stupid to try and mow this particular hilly area with wet grass. He was lazy and did not want to wait for it to dry or get a push mower for that part. He paid the price and broke a few bones and lost a ton of money. So again business and government gotta protect people from themselves because the average person is unable to make good choices.

[@danielboyko5127]

good i love

[@sunnydays4966]

If you roll you lawnmower as offten as I do you would be happy for a safety seat. It going to have lawnmower turn off when it rolls.

[@crazyfarmliving]

We agree! Safety first.

[@RussW.]

If you roll a mower that often...wtf are you mowing? I'd suggest outriggers or training wheels.

[@scotsabo2716]

Agreed.... people who roll their mower repeatedly should practice safety first and those who mow sober can safely use this Mod.

[@billalbion]

@@scotsabo2716 that's why so many saftey features on domestic machines, due to lack of feel or experience by amateur operators. Full size tractors and construction equipment don't stop when you get off them same as cars and trucks.

[@jegman4]

Is there a knack to getting the black looped wire out? I can't get mine to move at all.

[@calvarypromise]

No, pull it out with needle-nose plyers if you cannot get a grip with your fingers

[@micheleromaine7782]

I did this to my John Deere and now it turns off when I let off the break after starting it. Why?

[@N-1951]

Why would you want to leave the blade running if you are not on the mower? This sounds like a bad idea!

[@redrock3109]

At the end it would have been hilarious if once he got off the seat it just took off out of sight!

[@gosselinsergegs]

Tried this on my d140 and didn’t work

[@mikerichards6311]

😱

[@big_watson2015]

Riding mower, tractors are completely different

[@greenyonline]

Didn’t work on my D110

[@davegove4678]

This doesn’t work on an L120

[@jacobbpitt]

Nope JD L118

[@tracysmith5785]

Or you can just pull the switch out and duck tape the switch down and call it good.

[@FormulaZ583]

Don’t start you mower full throttle it’s not good for it

[@nhbountyhunter]

Can't not. Choke and throttle are on 1 lever like most small garden tractors. Gotta push up all the way to engage choke also full throttle. Other than that, why? What harm can it possibly cause? The age old ridiculous opinion you need to warm up an engine before you use it? That may have been true bake before the 50s with paraffin-based oils and engines made with soft metals. Not today. 3-5 seconds and go. Beside a mower full throttle is only like 3600 rpm. They can run at well over 5k so really your only like 50%.

[@FormulaZ583]

@@nhbountyhunter apparently someone hasn’t been around lawn mowers🤣

[@nhbountyhunter]

@@FormulaZ583 had my MTD since 08. 1 oil change a year along with an air filter and grease. It has a 17.5 single B&S. No problems ever, same goes for my 02 troybuilt 9000w Gen with the same motor. Funny how most generators all start at full throttle as well. In fact like most people I've had small engines my entire life. Never blew one up. Usually keep them for 15 years then get a new one. Just got a new Deere. Old MTD is now relegated to pulling a trailer, and plowing the driveway it will take over an old 93 simplicity. Gave that to my nephew. So yes, I have plenty of experience. I also worked in my dad's garage since I was 12 till about 30. So again I know my around engines and mechanical thingies.

[@ValleyCyclingNut]

All you have to do is turn the deck off and lock your parking brake on and you can get off the machine and leave it running , No safety hack needed

[@crazyfarmliving]

Not the case for our model. We don't have a parking brake on ours.

[@ValleyCyclingNut]

Oh yes you do , they all have it @@crazyfarmliving You also have cruise control . Read your manual

[@anthonyhugger5447]

Thanks!

[@JBo2734]

Thank you sir!

[@barrylafratta5720]

thank you

[@etownmaya1505]

Thank you!

[@sonny878]

Thank you!

[@dwighthagan7945]

Thank you 😊