Seat switch bypass

Bobby Bee

New member

Equipment
B2601
May 19, 2026
2
0
1
Connecticut
Hi, brand new member here and just joined this site. I just purchased a B2601 with loader and backhoe. Expecting delivery in next day or two. When I mentioned to the salesman about wanting to buy a 3 point wood chipper, he told me I would have to either put a heavy item in the seat to “fool” the seat safety switch or bypass the switch electrically. I have read in a operators manual that I downloaded (2014 version) that there is a procedure to follow in order to disengage/bypass the seat switch when you want to use the PTO in stationary mode with the operators seat unoccupied. Is there a way to engage the rear PTO and use a wood chipper without altering the seat switch? It seems silly to me that Kubota would not make allowances for this. Thanks
 

GibbyESS9

Active member

Equipment
2020 Bx23s,BX2672 plow, Titan Forks, Land Pride 48” BB, FEL, Bestco Flail mower
Sep 30, 2020
104
134
43
Blue Point NY / Newfoundland PA
Not sure on that model but my BX23S I have to lift the seat up, not spin it then the rear pro works for my chipper. I guess that keeps the safety switch engaged. Someone on here will know. Welcome

J
 

MapleLeafFarmer

Well-known member

Equipment
Lots incl. B and L kubotas
Dec 2, 2019
1,088
1,084
113
E.
Hi, brand new member here and just joined this site. I just purchased a B2601 with loader and backhoe. Expecting delivery in next day or two. When I mentioned to the salesman about wanting to buy a 3 point wood chipper, he told me I would have to either put a heavy item in the seat to “fool” the seat safety switch or bypass the switch electrically. I have read in a operators manual that I downloaded (2014 version) that there is a procedure to follow in order to disengage/bypass the seat switch when you want to use the PTO in stationary mode with the operators seat unoccupied. Is there a way to engage the rear PTO and use a wood chipper without altering the seat switch? It seems silly to me that Kubota would not make allowances for this. Thanks
as soon as you lift your arse off the seat tilt the seat towards the steering wheel and your pto should continue to operate. If tyou wait more than a second or so to tip seat forward the engine would shut off.
My B26 worked that way but my pto was not electric over hydraulic I had to push clutch in then throw a lever. Not sure if the electric is different seat function.
 
Last edited:

imarobot

Well-known member

Equipment
5740HSTC-3, FDR2584 Finish Mower, BH92 Backhoe, L2195A Snowblower, LA854 FEL, +
Apr 18, 2025
372
283
63
NH
On my L I tilt the seat forward first then engage the PTO
 
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William1

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX25D, JD X754 AWS Mower
Jul 28, 2015
1,395
594
113
Richmond, Virginia
Yeah... it seems if you start the tractor, engage the PTO while sitting, you have a few seconds after standing to unlatch and flip the seat forward. There are two switches. One is the 'operator presence' switch which shuts the tractor off if you leave the seat (like if you crashed and were tossed off) The second switch, tells the tractor no one is supposed to be on the seat as it is unlatched and tilted, a deliberate reason for 'no operator'. Makes sense.
However (always is) I think it is a touch risky to quickly stand up, unlatch the seat, flip it and then get off. I'm old and clumsy. So... I start my tractor. parking brakes set. Get off. Unlatch tilt the seat.Standing along side the machine, I move the PTO lever to 'Rear' then engage the PTO.
 
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Trustable

Well-known member

Equipment
l2501HST
Jul 5, 2022
357
373
63
Michigan
Hi, brand new member here and just joined this site. I just purchased a B2601 with loader and backhoe. Expecting delivery in next day or two. When I mentioned to the salesman about wanting to buy a 3 point wood chipper, he told me I would have to either put a heavy item in the seat to “fool” the seat safety switch or bypass the switch electrically. I have read in a operators manual that I downloaded (2014 version) that there is a procedure to follow in order to disengage/bypass the seat switch when you want to use the PTO in stationary mode with the operators seat unoccupied. Is there a way to engage the rear PTO and use a wood chipper without altering the seat switch? It seems silly to me that Kubota would not make allowances for this. Thanks
Your seat should flip forward towards the steering wheel. Engage the PTO, rev it up to your speed, then quickly get up and flip the seat. If it’s real windy you may want to get a strap or bungee cord to help it stay flipped, as it’s pretty easy for a moderate gust to flip it back down and then the tractor shuts off.
 

aaluck

Well-known member

Equipment
L4400HST, Bush Hog 276, RDTH60, Speeco PHD, etc
Oct 9, 2019
991
841
93
Snowdoun, AL
Okay. Will this work with my L4400HST? If so, it would eliminate a lot of frustration when spraying. Right now I have to get someone to sit there while I spray flower beds, etc.
 

Trustable

Well-known member

Equipment
l2501HST
Jul 5, 2022
357
373
63
Michigan
Okay. Will this work with my L4400HST? If so, it would eliminate a lot of frustration when spraying. Right now I have to get someone to sit there while I spray flower beds, etc.
It should. Based on what I’ve read on here it seems to be universal on Kubota models that don’t have a button to keep it enabled.
 

imarobot

Well-known member

Equipment
5740HSTC-3, FDR2584 Finish Mower, BH92 Backhoe, L2195A Snowblower, LA854 FEL, +
Apr 18, 2025
372
283
63
NH
I would try flipping it up first then engaging the pto. If that works, it's a lot easier than trying to get the seat tilted before it stalls out.
I don't know, maybe your tractor is different than mine, but this works on mine. However, if I have the mid-pto engaged it will stall even with the seat tilted up. I did some head scratching the first time this happened.