I’m sure you’re aware that safety switches on riding lawn mowers are there to keep you safe during operation. However, they can sometimes get in the way, especially when you want to do things like reverse mowing.
To address questions about bypassing these safety switches on the seat of your lawn mower, I have put together a straightforward step-by-step guide for your convenience. Let’s get into it.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Before you proceed with bypassing safety switches, you should know that this process requires specific tools. First, it’s important to don safety gloves and goggles. Given that you’ll need to disconnect and re-connect wires, protective gears lessen the chances of undesirable accidents.
Don’t forget to add electrical tape and metal wire to your tool box, as these materials could come in handy when connecting two wires together. Besides that, you should also get your pliers and ratchet on standby for cutting and moving wires underneath the mower seat.
What Happens When You Bypass the Safety Switches?
When you decide to bypass the seat safety switch in your Troy Bilt riding lawn mower, it means that you’re willing to let go of the protective mechanisms of the machine. The feature includes stopping the engine from running once it detects no user on the mower seat.
If you’re feeling confident in your ability to operate a riding mower safely, I’d recommend bypassing the safety switch features, as it shouldn’t pose a challenge. By removing the seat safety switch, the mower will keep the engine running and effectively disregard the sensors.
However, if you’re a mower deck newbie, I strongly suggests keeping the safety switches on or reading this step-by-step guide thoroughly for enough guidance.
How to Bypass the Brake Safety Switch on a Lawn Mower: 6 Steps
Step #1: Move the Mower to a Flat Ground
Whether you’re aiming to bypass safety switches or tackling mower deck repairs, it’s essential to have the riding lawnmower positioned on flat, level ground. This step has proven crucial in my work on these machines.
By doing this process, you can be sure that the lawnmower is in a stable position, making it less likely to slip or move to cause an unforeseen injury during the process.
To begin repairing mower issues, from a malfunctioning engine to a cord that won’t pull, it’s crucial to first inspect if the steering controls are set in parking mode.
Step #2: Disengage the Battery Terminal
Part of the process to bypass the safety switch is to disconnect the battery terminals or the spark plug wire. For those you don’t know, unplugging the charged battery cables cut off the engine power and prevent users from being potentially electrocuted during the procedure.
When finding battery cables, I look for terminals with red and black markings, and then disconnect the wires plugged into them.
Step #3: Access the Seat Safety Switch on the Mower
Now that the spark plug is disconnected, you’ll need to locate the safety switch in your mower deck. Typical riding lawn mower machines have this feature installed underneath the seat.
Some models allow users to take it off by loosening screws attached to it. Once you do that, you can proceed to flip the seat. From there, you’ll be greeted by the sight of the socket safety switch.
If you search through the lawnmower market as we had, you’ll also encounter models with a safety switch near the clutch brake pedal, lift, and shift levers.
Lawnmower brands vary in their safety switch types, with some having three switch wires, while others have two. However, regardless of the number or position of safety switches you need to disconnect, the process of bypassing them remains the same.
Step #4: Pull the Safety Switch Wires
After confirming the safety switch’s position on my riding lawn mower, I normally proceed to remove the wire from its sockets. If you’re comfortable working with electrical wires, you can usually do this by hand.
However, we’d like to highlight the importance of using hand protection gears [1]. If unsure, using a plier to pull the wire is still the best option out there.
Step #5: Cut and Wrap in Tape/Crimp
After pulling the safety switch wires, you may disconnect it from receiving power by cutting it completely. But don’t forget to seal the wire ends with electrical tape for safety. Before putting the lawnmower to test, ensure that the wires are individually wrapped with tapes.
Step #6: Put the Seat Back and Test the Mower
Now that the wires are disabled, you may proceed to replace the seat to its original position. Hop on your lawnmower, get your ignition key, and place it into the ignition switch. One can easily tell if they successfully bypass the safety switch if you engage the mower blades and the deck.
If the mower blade can operate in reverse without triggering the safety switch, you’ve succeeded in your task. But if the test didn’t go well, I suggest you open the seat again and connect the cut wires before sealing them with tape.
How to Bypass the PTO Safety Switch in 3 Steps
Step #1: Find the PTO Safety Switch
Did you know that some lawnmower manufacturers include a safety brake pedal switch behind the unit’s engine? At the front of your mower, you’ll easily spot the PTO switch wires, which play a crucial role in preventing the lawnmower engine from starting in various safety-related situations.
Unlike when you bypass the safety switch under the seat, the process of differentiating the right cables from the battery wires can be challenging. For this process, I recommend using a multimeter on your mower. If the switch reads around 12 voltages, that’s the cable you’re looking for.
Step #2: Cut the Wire
Once you have identified which cable to cut, disconnect it to bypass the safety switch. I understand that there’ll be some doubt if it’s your first time dealing with safety switches.
So if you see purple wires, those are the ones you have to cut off from the socket as they connect the mower blade with the power.
Step #3: Connect the Ends
Just as in the earlier steps for bypassing a safety switch, I make sure to connect the cut wire tips and wrap them securely with a tape. This precaution is crucial to prevent any potential short-circuit issues when testing the lawnmower.
Safety Tips and Reminders
- Wear gloves when disconnecting the spark plug or battery cables
- Switch off the engine before starting the bypassing process
- Bypassing a safety switch isn’t recommended for lawnmower newbies
- Take the mower on a test drive to check if the safety switch is bypassed
How to Properly Test the Riding Lawn Mower’s Safety Switch
Bypassing a 30-inch riding lawnmower safety switch can only be considered successful if it passes the standard of continuity testing. To do this, you must remove the safety switch frame again. And then the next step you should do is connect the multimeter tool to the terminals.
The multimeter will produce a beep sound, which means the switch is engaged. You can try the same method with the buttons pressed and check if the other terminals are still engaged.
What are the Other Safety Switches + How to Bypass Them
Brake Switch
Typically, users need to step on the brake pedal to ignite the lawnmower’s starter. Like the usual safety switch, bypassing it requires locating the connectors and connecting the purple cables with tape or metal wires. This step allows the starter to skip the safety switch.
Reverse Switch
Another kind of safety switch is the one that prevents users from reverse mowing. This feature can get especially bothersome for some mowers. Luckily, you can easily locate it by lifting the mower’s hood.
All you need to do is pull out the connectors and proceed to short circuit the purple cables to back your lawnmower during the cutting operations.
Testing if the Solenoid on Your Mower is Defective
If you’re a newbie lawnmower owner, you wouldn’t know why starter solenoid is a crucial part of this cutting tool. A solenoid component keeps the electrical connection of the batteries to the starter motor.
One of the indications that you have a bad solenoid is when the engine refuses to start. For these instances, I recommend testing the component while the blade is disengaged.
You must put the switch in position using the key and get a screwdriver to get the terminals connected. Should the engine start after this procedure, the solenoid is the culprit for your mower’s malfunction. If it doesn’t start, check other components that may have caused the issues.
FAQ
How do you bypass a 4 wire safety switch on a lawn mower?
You can bypass a 4 wire switch on a lawn mower the same way you bypass safety switches on a three-wire component. First, you have to set the mower on flat ground and disconnect cables from the terminals. Then, remove the switch connectors. After cutting the wire, secure it with electrical tapes.
Conclusion
Knowing how to bypass all safety switches on a lawn mower is an advantage, especially if you’re planning to use your machine in the long run.
And while we understand the frustration of being restricted, remember that these safety features are installed for a reason. If you don’t have enough user experience yet, I recommend keeping it on.
Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft.
You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
