Seat or other safety switch

[feg7846]

There is probably a thread about this somewhere, but I did not find it on a quick search.
I am 75 years old and garden with my favorite tractor ever, my 1969 farmall cub. I have always had a fear of working on the side of my cub with the throttle somewhat open and having the cub, for whatever reason, jump into gear and running me down because I am not quick enough to get out of the way. Anybody else out there ever had this same feeling. Also, falling out of my seat backwards and having the implement get me.......
Guess I am just a scared old man. BUT, I had a very good friend that was bush hogging with an older John Deere tractor, that did not have any safety switches, and was knocked out of his seat by a low hanging limb. He fell backwards and under the bush hog. Awful sight that I will never forget.
And, I know we all say, well, just think about what you are doing and nothing will happen. At 75, my mind does not work like it used to. Don't plan on giving up gardening and not riding my little buddy, but would like some input from my fellow cub owners on safety measures if possible.

Thank you my many friends....

[MiCarl]

Boats and watercraft use a kill switch with a lanyard attached to the operator. If the operator falls off it kills the engine. You could wire one in series with your ignition switch and attach it to you when you're on the tractor so if you came off for some reason the tractor would shut off.

BOAT SAFETY KILL SWITCH

[Bob McCarty]

A dead man's switch might also be something to consider. I'd have to think about where you would attach it to both be convenient and effective.

[Jim Becker]

The subject has been mentioned a few times. This is the only thread I know of where it was discussed to any great length.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=18072

There are some options that have merit. I don't think any of them has much chance of saving someone from the bush hog accident you described. Even with the ignition cut off, inertia would have probably kept everything moving long enough to be serious or fatal.

[feg7846]

Thank you, my friends. Wanted to look into this before spring gets here. Thank you so very much for your suggestions.

[Clemsonfor]

The subject has been mentioned a few times. This is the only thread I know of where it was discussed to any great length.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=18072

There are some options that have merit. I don't think any of them has much chance of saving someone from the bush hog accident you described. Even with the ignition cut off, inertia would have probably kept everything moving long enough to be serious or fatal.

I was thinking along the same lines. Inertia would propel it forward a few more feet easily especially if the tractor did not have an overrun clutch it would go for a good ways till the blades slowed up.x

[Clemsonfor]

If falling off backward or sideways is a true serious concern you could always spend a few thousand and get a different tractor. You don't have to get rid of the Cub. But I have an older YM Yanmar. They can be had for around $2000-4000 in a similar size and ability as the Cub. I am contained between the fenders and have a seat back ROPS and the steering wheel is close in front of me. It would not be impossible to fall out of it but much harder than falling off would be on a Cub, perched way up on the seat.

[Ky Cub]

How about adding a deluxe seat and a seat belt system.

[Glen]

Hi,
Usually the engine is off, not running, when working on the Cub, on either side of it.
Set the parking brake, or brake lock, when running the engine in neutral.
Adjust the brakes so the lock holds well when on, if it doesn't hold the Cub in position well.
The brake lock can get rusted in position if never used, free it up with penetrating oil so it moves up and down sort of easily. It can't be too easy moving, it can fall down by itself when using the Cub.

The brake pedals are supposed to have 7/8" of free play at the top of their travel, measured at the surface where your foot goes, the Cub service manual says.
The 2 brakes should apply evenly, when the 2 pedals are locked together.

A Cub in the original condition shifts sort of hard into every gear, they don't shift into gear by themselves that I have ever seen.
If the shifter parts are worn so the lever moves easy into one or more gears, it needs repair.
You don't need to fear the Cub.
People do need to feel good enough to drive it and not fall off of it though.

[Bob McCarty]

How about adding a deluxe seat and a seat belt system.

I don't think that's a good idea without a ROPS. It eliminates any chance of being thrown clear if the cub rolls or rears.

[Gary Dotson]

I think the deluxe seat has merit, in this situation, certainly not the seat belt. The dead man switch might work, would have to think about just how it would be implemented to be effective.

[feg7846]

Thank you my many friends. Never really thought about setting the brakes. Very good idea. Will have to give it a try and see how it works.

Thanks to all...

[Crimson Tim]

I don’t think there is much danger of it shifting in to gear while running in neutral. I could see ways how it *could* happen... you reach across the tractor to get something and your sleeve catches the gearshift or something similar. I don’t *think* you could actually force a stationary gear to mesh with a spinning one, though.
It would be an interesting, if painful and cringe-worthy, experiment to try if someone has a transmission that is already toast and is getting ready to swap it out. I don’t think I could stomach it.

What you definitely do have cautious of, though, is starting the engine in gear while standing next to the tractor. Always make it a habit to check you’re in neutral before starting. Any of the additional safety switches mentioned would be a good addition to this. The later Cubs had a clutch switch, so you couldn’t start it without pushing in the clutch.

The “habit” thing is all well and good, but I have had it fail on me once or twice. Just about done with a project, daylight fading, and I run out of gas. Frustrated, go get the gas can. Put some in. Climb aboard. Start it, and oops, it was still in gear from when it died. In my rush to just finish up that last bit of work, I forgot to check. Don’t rush!
It will start, in second, even with an earth-engaging implement attached (grader, harrow, maybe even plow?), so it will surely have the oomph to climb over your body if you are in the wrong spot. And if you’re on the ground, and can reach to start it, then you are definitely in the *wrong spot*!

Long story short, I think this is a worthwhile idea you are pursuing, and I am looking forward to see what your ultimate solution is going to be.