Do you find it necessary to learn how to bypass all safety switches on lawn mower?
One of your main tasks as a homeowner, which you might take pride in, is mowing your lawn. But you cannot do it as comfortably and effectively as you prefer because of its safety switches.
However, the safety switches on a typical lawnmower are there for safety purposes, which can save you from bodily harm.
Many lawn mower users are annoyed by the safety switches because they cannot mow freely as they want to. They want to do away with them and do the mowing task as they prefer.
A typical lawn mower has three or four safety switches, depending on the type, and these are:
- Seat safety switch
- Mower deck safety switch
- PTO or power take of switch
Here are the necessary tools you need to bypass the safety switches in your lawn mower
- Wire cutter
- Wire connector
- Protective goggles
- Gloves
- Screwdriver
- Electrical tape
- Multimeter
Safety tips when bypassing your lawn mower safety switches
- Always wear hand gloves and protective goggles whenever operating on machinery like a lawnmower, especially if you are disconnecting wires with your hands
- Be careful in using the pliers and other potentially dangerous tools to avoid any accidental injury
- Whenever doing any electrical operations in a piece of machinery, always switch off the engine before beginning
- Always be sure that the engine cools to the touch before starting the procedure, or else your hands might get burned
- Always cut the wiring with the right cutting tool to avoid injury
- Do not do any of the bypassing procedures if other people in your household may use the mower and are not aware of its condition
Table of Contents
How to bypassing seat safety switch on your lawn mower
The process to bypass the seat safety switch in your lawnmower is straightforward, which anyone can do. You do not have to know any mechanical skills to do it, and it will take less than thirty minutes.
The seat safety switch is located underneath the mower seat. Its purpose is to stop the engine from running if there is no one seated.
Bypassing it allows you to operate it effectively and without difficulty.
- Preparing your lawnmower for the bypassing procedure – Bring your lawnmower to an area with a flat surface like your garage. This way, it will be convenient for you to work with the necessary tools close by. Also, make sure the steering is set on parking, and the engine is switched off.
- Disconnecting the battery terminal in your lawnmower – Before working on any electrical component of a piece of machinery like a lawnmower, you have to disconnect the battery terminals. There are two, one is red, and the other is black, which you have to unplug to avoid electrical shocks.
- Gaining entry to the seat safety switch – The location of the safety switch of most riding lawnmowers is below the seat. If the seat is screwed on, use a screwdriver to unfasten the screws.
Once done, flip the seat over, and you will see a socket switch connected to the seat, which is the seat safety switch you will be bypassing.
Depending on the model, you might find two kinds of switch sockets: a three-wire seat safety switch or a four-wire seat safety switch. Both have the same bypassing procedure. - Removing the safety switch wires – Remove the safety switch socket underneath the seat and pull the wire out. If you cannot do it with your hands, use the pliers to pull it outward.
- Cutting and taping the wire – Cut the wires from the socket switch and use the electrical tape to wrap them to avoid electrical shocks. You can either wrap the wires together or one at a time.
To be sure which will work, do each option then test it. If one fails to disable the safety switch, try the other.
If cutting the wires will void the warranty and you are hesitant to do it, you can use wire crimp connectors. They can connect to the wires without cutting them. - Placing the seat back in position – Once done, set the seatback to the original position. Test if the bypassing procedure worked.
Bypassing the seat safety switch will allow the lawnmower to run without seating in the mower seat.
You can now drive your riding mower, stand if you want to, would not suddenly stop anymore and create further annoyance.
How to bypass the PTO safety switch and the mower deck safety switch
The bypassing procedures for the PTO safety switch and mower deck safety are the same.
If either safety switches are on, you cannot make the engine start, which is a gigantic hindrance and annoyance to mower users. It will also abruptly shut down when you drive through a hilly area.
- Preparing your lawnmower for either bypassing procedures – In doing any bypassing procedures, you have to prepare your lawnmower. Bring your mower to an area with a flat surface like your garage. This way, it will be convenient for you to work with the necessary tools close by. Also, make sure the steering is set on parking, and the engine is switched off.
- Disconnecting the battery terminal in your lawnmower – Before working on any electrical component of a piece of machinery like a lawnmower, you have to disconnect the battery terminals. There are two, one is red, and the other is black, which you have to unplug to avoid electrical shocks.
- Locating the PTO safety switch and the mower deck safety switch – Go to the area in front of the mower, where the hood is located. Unscrew the hood open and look for the wiring harness behind the engine, which is where the mower deck switch socket and the PTO safety switch are situated.
If you are having trouble locating it, use a multimeter for testing the socket. If it gives off a reading of around twelve volts voltage, you have found it. - Cutting the wire – As you locate the safety switch socket, look for a purple wire that connects the power with the rotor blades, which you need to cut.
- Connecting the wire ends – Once done, use electrical tape in connecting and wrapping the two terminals. Some switch sockets have wire plastic bars within. Put the wires and sockets back to the original positions inside the engine deck and screw the hood back on.
Once done with all the steps, test out your mower. If you notice that there are no warning lights constantly blinking or habitual stopping, then the bypassing procedures worked.
If you are uncertain about all bypassing processes, consult with a professional.
What are the tips in how to properly operate a lawnmower?
Using a lawnmower does not need to be a difficult procedure. If you are a first-timer, mowing might be a daunting task.
There are many types of lawnmowers, here are the correct ways to use each:
For gasoline push mowers
- Check if there are no leaking oil or gas
- Check if the spark plug is correctly inserted
- Prime the engine for proper combustion
- Pull the ripcord to start
- Hold down to the safety bar and keep on holding it
- Do not leave and walk away from a still running lawnmower
- Mow form side to side on a slope instead of up and down
For electric push mowers
- Before turning on the electric motor, check if all connections are stable, no frayed or severed wires, and no corrosion
- Fully charge the battery, if it is battery-powered
- If powered by an electrical outlet, make sure the cord is not tangled
- Use push button to start the engine
- Follow the same driving process as with gasoline mower
For riding mowers
- Inspect any leakages and signs of damage
- Disengage the clutch and put the engine to neutral to start the engine
- Continue holding the clutch until you put pressure to the gas pedal, and get back holding it before shifting
- If you release the clutch will the gas pedal is not down, the engine will stall
- Use the same driving procedure as the other types
Does learning about how to bypass all safety switches on lawn mower a good idea?
The safety switches on a lawnmower are there for a reason, which is for the safety and protection of the mower users and to avoid injury.
Bypassing the safety switches will make the lawnmower run better, but also forfeits its ability to enable safety measures. But if you are an experienced mower user and aware of some of its more complex functionalities, then go right ahead.
