John Deere X758 Seat Switch Bypass and RIO Switch Bypass How To

Quick video clip of my new John Deere X758 and showing where to bypass the seat switch and RIO Switch using Blue Scotch Locks. I have the mulching kit and lawn striping roller kit with the 60" HC Edge Deck.

[denisonthewater]

Hey all fellow lawn tractor owners doing modifications. Safer modification. I know it's a lot to read, but PLEASE READ FULLY before responding. John Deere L125 owner here and I did the same safety seat switch modification, but with a caveat. The seat safety switch is there for a reason, past accidents, or it would not of been included as part of a  production run modification, however it was cumbersome to me, as others. I do a lot of lawn work with a cart and there is much short time on and off the tractor for me, maybe 1 minute at a time, and didn't feel like killing the starter or draining the battery with constant restarts. Instead of disconnecting or bridging the switch to make it inoperable permanently, I spliced into the two wires, drilled a 3/8th inch hole and connected a marine stainless steel toggle switch that won't rust under the seat. Cost about $5.00. In the OFF position it had no effect, leaving the seat safety switch still operational. In the ON position it bridged the two wires, akin to jumping the wires as shown  in this video. This left me with the option to leave it ON (seat safety switch disabled, ie: bypassed, )  when I was using it, and OFF (Seat safety operational) when fiancé, kids, or grand-kids were mowing. This gave me peace of mind that they were safe should the fall off the tractor after knocking their heads on a low hanging tree limb, and have the mower inadvertently circle around and run over them. This model has an auto tranny and has cruise control. Won't strop unless throttle tapped, or brake applied. Thus the worry and concern. This could be carried further, which I am updating,  to have a key operated on/off switch instead of a regular toggle. Necessary if you feel others would switch it to ON (bypassing the seat safety switch)  when they shouldn't. Heads up to all, let us all be safe out there, keep the family out of harm's way. Happy Lawning/Gardening.

[deedeesfunnyfarm]

My X475 has already had the RIo modified before I got it. I am wondering if their circumvention failed cuz now I have a deck that doesn't have enough power to it (stops in real grass but lets the motor run no problem..) Thank u for your video!
any advice is always welcome!

[buxka]

Thanks! Do you have part number(s) for the mulch solution? I have 60HC deck on x739

[deek]

Videos are to SHOW us what to do instead of being told what to

[yotamonster]

I wedge a small piece of wood that I cut under the lever that engages the blade. Works like a charm.

[russellpeterson]

Something to think about, my John Deere dealer would have to hook the safety switches back to factory, its a legal issue in case someone gets hurt. Instead I hidden a switch under the hood behind the dash so you can't see it, I can set it back to factory with a flip of the switch that way they I can't be charged to hook it back up if I need to have them work on it.

[WilliamZ-]

I know the purpose of the safety switches and how they function. It's not a concern of mine and I am the only person that uses my machine.

[hillybeaner]

The factory installed bypass for the seat switch is already there. Lock the parking break when you get off of the mower.

[mondo]

The point of the seat safety switch is if for some reason you get knocked off the tractor or tip it over the engine shuts down for safety. The RIO is one I can live without as long as one makes sure things are clear behind before backing up. But to me it is no big deal reaching down to push a button. But again the seat switch is a good one to keep connected in my opinion.

[gglechrme]

I connected the 3 seat wires together with a wire nut and the bypass worked, but the next time I tried to use the mower the blades would not engage...I tired soldering the wires together then duct taped the ends but the mower blades still wont engage...any other suggestions?

[gglechrme]

PLEASE HELP I recently did this bypass for the seat switch and reverse switch. The bypass worked but the next time I went to mow my lawn the PTO switch would not work, the blades will not engage and I get a flashing icon on the screen regarding the PTO. Even though the bypasses work, now the blades won't engage...I checked the fuses and they are fine...do you have any ideas as to what I can do to get the PTO working? Thanks.

[jimhilllenburg]

Where did you get the diesel decals? I would love to order some also.

[MrJohndeere]

i would like 2 Bypass my Seat Switch & my RIO on my x724. :) but im not sare on how 2 do it.

[jranderson]

I disconnected my seat switch. My yard is rather bumpy and since this thing rides like a buckboard I was constantly being bounced off the seat just enough for it to shut down. That got old very fast. Thought I could live with the RIO WRONG!!! I mow backward about 20 times while doing the lawn and pushing that button really gets old. If you just touch the reverse peddle a split second before pushing the button it shuts down. That will be fixed before I mow again.

[WilliamZ-]

Thanks! It's amazing, drives like a car..

[dirguyjerry]

I highly recommend NOT bypassing the seat switch. That seat switch exists to turn off the blades should the mower flip or roll over on you. Think about that for a moment, being trapped under a mower while the blades are spinning.

I have personally flipped a mower on a hill, it happened suddenly and unexpectedly and trust me, the seat switch is a life saver. I'm not a safety Nazi but this switch can literally save your life.

The reverse switch is okay to bypass in my opinion.

[KKKKK]

Think about the legal ramifications if someone gets hurt. The cops will inspect the machine, and if the safety system has been compromised, you're looking at time in court, and scumbag lawyers.