My idiot son-in-law, who is accident prone, put my tractor key into ignition and broke it off. He broke it off. How do you break off a key? Now we are trying to find another replacement main switch. He wants to use an O"Reiley or NAPA part. I am insisting that he purchase an original Deutz main switch. Does anyone know where I can purchase it and about how much it costs. HE BROKE IT OFF....
- Thread starter WhyWorry
- Start date
Wheat Farmer
Well-known Member
Keys do get weak over time. We should all make new ones SOONER. I have got the broken part out different ways. One was a very fine spot of GOOD metal glue on the end of a gas welding rod. Other time was a strong magnet that happen to work on THAT key. Keep trying.
Janicholson
Well-known Member
Dental pics and some micro surgery will fix it as Why Worry indicates. The key was probably not difficult to insert, or he would have figured it to be wrong. So the retrieval will be easy.
Many many tractors use the same key and key cut, finding one for yours will be no issue either. Jim
Many many tractors use the same key and key cut, finding one for yours will be no issue either. Jim
Wheat Farmer
Well-known Member
Forgot about this one. Wife doesn't know the bead pliers are in my tool box.
You can likely fish the broken key out. Picks, paper clips, tweezers, and the like can be used. A replacement key can likely be found, too. Few, if any tractor mfr's. used different keys in each switch for a particular model of tractor. A google search could locate the part(s) you need.
Aftermarket switches are probaby available that would easily replace your switch. Sometimes an aftermarket switch will be the exact same switch an OE will sell you, in a less fancy wrapper.
Your son-in-law isn't the first to snap a key off, and won't be the last. My knee has won the battle with the key on a Farmall 560 at least twice, mainly because somebody got paid to locate the switch in a poor location, and possibly because somebody (me) has failed to relocate it.
AG
Aftermarket switches are probaby available that would easily replace your switch. Sometimes an aftermarket switch will be the exact same switch an OE will sell you, in a less fancy wrapper.
Your son-in-law isn't the first to snap a key off, and won't be the last. My knee has won the battle with the key on a Farmall 560 at least twice, mainly because somebody got paid to locate the switch in a poor location, and possibly because somebody (me) has failed to relocate it.
AG
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
Somehow I get the feeling you and your SIL aren't real close... Look at it this way, maybe breaking the key prevented something else from getting broke! LOL
Seriously, I would make every effort to get the key out. A new one can easily be made from the broken one.
The fit-all switches from the auto supply are not very good. They especially don't like being out in the weather. If you just can't get it out, either get one from Deutz, or a marine grade, one that's sealed against the weather.
Seriously, I would make every effort to get the key out. A new one can easily be made from the broken one.
The fit-all switches from the auto supply are not very good. They especially don't like being out in the weather. If you just can't get it out, either get one from Deutz, or a marine grade, one that's sealed against the weather.
nybadlybent
Member
I would never get very excited about a broken key. Sometimes they break, sometimes they get lost and at other times the switch goes bad and the key will not turn but it is just a key. Be glad that you have a SIL that comes around.
If you insist on a new key or switch for a Deutz go to an AGCO dealer.
Calling you SIl names and blaming him for the key mishap doesn't help you make friends on this site. I hope you are a better person than your post indicates.
If you insist on a new key or switch for a Deutz go to an AGCO dealer.
Calling you SIl names and blaming him for the key mishap doesn't help you make friends on this site. I hope you are a better person than your post indicates.
60 acre hillside
Member
Sometimes you can get it with the barb of a fishhook
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Is the tractor in your shop? Can you get an air hose to it?
My mechanically-challenged older brother broke the key off in the ignition of his '71 Gremlin [it was a lot of years ago]. My grand-dad came to the rescue with his pump oil can, a shop rag, and an air hose. Grand-dad shot a pump of oil into the lock cylinder [remember, the SWITCH part is further down the column, connected by a rod], wrapped a shop towel around the cylinder and hit a blast of compressed air to it. The oil, obviously, didn't compress...but it did force the broken piece of the key out of the cylinder. My brother then took the two pieces of the key to the hardware store, and had a replacement key made.
Problem solved.
Your mileage may vary.
My mechanically-challenged older brother broke the key off in the ignition of his '71 Gremlin [it was a lot of years ago]. My grand-dad came to the rescue with his pump oil can, a shop rag, and an air hose. Grand-dad shot a pump of oil into the lock cylinder [remember, the SWITCH part is further down the column, connected by a rod], wrapped a shop towel around the cylinder and hit a blast of compressed air to it. The oil, obviously, didn't compress...but it did force the broken piece of the key out of the cylinder. My brother then took the two pieces of the key to the hardware store, and had a replacement key made.
Problem solved.
Your mileage may vary.
retired farmer
Well-known Member
I've had them break and also bend. Not that hard to get out. Take the switch out and turn it upside down and give it a few good taps on a hard surface. It generally will come out far enough that you can get hold of it. Not the end of the world.
farmerwithmutt
Well-known Member
neighbor had a old c60 chevy ne ver had a key just turned the outside where the key fit in d19 screwdriver was the key stick it in and turn.
can anybody remember doing something dumb at father in laws and never doing it at home ? neighbor tells story how before he got married he set future father in laws barn on fire he was helping them torch old cow stalls out woops so broken key aint bad and they got married and have 11 kids so far
can anybody remember doing something dumb at father in laws and never doing it at home ? neighbor tells story how before he got married he set future father in laws barn on fire he was helping them torch old cow stalls out woops so broken key aint bad and they got married and have 11 kids so far
MartinReece
New User
No sense worrying about a silly key. Fish it out with a sharp hook. There are lots of you tube videos on how to do this.
a new one can be made for a few bucks.
Martin
a new one can be made for a few bucks.
Martin
Your grand kids will get tired of you talking about their daddy like that.
Take a broken coping saw blade and tap it in carefully on the back side of the broken key (the side away from the tumblers). Orient the blade teeth so they get a bite on the key as you pull it out with pliers. I've removed several broken keys like that.
Take a broken coping saw blade and tap it in carefully on the back side of the broken key (the side away from the tumblers). Orient the blade teeth so they get a bite on the key as you pull it out with pliers. I've removed several broken keys like that.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I accidently broke off a key on a lawn tractor with my knee several years ago. Pretty cramped quarters and I hit it going over some rough ground, so it can happen. I would also insist he replace it with a Deutz switch rather than a potentially-marginal will fit substitute. But in my circumstances they couldn't afford it so I would foot the bill regardless.
ShadetreeRet
Well-known Member
When you're hot, you're hot!
Nope. didn't let him use the tractor. In fact he didn't have permission to be in the barn. He was supposed to be cutting fire wood, says he dropped his truck key in the snow and needed "any" key to start his truck. Went into the barn (as we were at work) and found my tractor key and used it. Instead of placing the key back where it was, he tried putting it in the ignition. Or, that is the story I was told.
Joe Scribner
Member
I broke a key off in the drivers door lock on my mom's 64 Buick Special many, many, years ago. Frustratin' ain't it ?
Roger in Iowa
Well-known Member
Take an old bobby pin and cut it at the loop but leave a little of the loop. Slide it in on the smooth side of the key and the remaining piece should slide out when you pull the bobby pin out.
Save the piece if you have to get it recut or get another key from Deutz, if it is a common key.
Even with the broken piece in the switch, you should be able to turn the switch on/off by using the broken part.
Save the piece if you have to get it recut or get another key from Deutz, if it is a common key.
Even with the broken piece in the switch, you should be able to turn the switch on/off by using the broken part.
fixerupper
Well-known Member
Get out your wire feeler gauges, the ones that are L shaped, take the smallest one, cut it off the L leaving a small stub of L , slide it in alongside the key give it a little twist to turn the little nub of an L so it engages the key and pull it out. We long legged guys used to snap the key off in the 1086 and I think maybe the 1070. This trick worked for me every time. Jim
onefarmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- 6735 S Lowell Rd, St Johns, Mi 48879
I have broke off a few keys. I whack em getting in and out with a knee or boot. I have always been able to either pry it out or take the switch apart enough to push it out from the back. Then take the two parts to key shop and they can cut a new one. I have learned to keep an original around and use the duplicate. This keeps an original unworn one to make a new duplicate.
Might not be anything IDIOT about it. So why worry.
Might not be anything IDIOT about it. So why worry.
armand tatro
Well-known Member
I feel your pain! My dad and I brought a 560D Farmall in 1964 and from then till I hate to think how many keys we have broken in the ignition switch and it is still the original switch! Broke a key in the door lock on Peterbilt semi truck one morning to go to work. Took the spare key from my pocket, went and unlocked the other door, crawled in, started truck, and went to work! Needless to say I always have a spare key ring with my most used keys in my pocket! BTW when I got a break I had the broken key out of the door and gave the door lock a shot of oil! Also that Pete will lock you out about once every 3 months!
armand tatro
Well-known Member
Now would be a good time for you and your son in law and your daughter to learn how to remove broken keys as this will no doubt happen again if not this tractor maybe a car or pickup (Murph's Law!!!!!!!). You all aint never gonna learn any younger!!!!!! Also everybody should have a spare set of keys. In the long run a lot worse and more expensive mistakes can and will happen so count your blessings and be thankful nobody is dripping blood!!!!! Armand
nybadlybent
Member
yes, sorry. Did you agree with my post?
Just what you said! But.. the other thing is the next time you are at a flea market check the guy selling all of the neat tools and pick up a set of dental picks. They work WONDERS! Old switches were made of metal and you could take a small wire from the battery terminal and zap weld the back end of the key and pull it out. All of the newer locks are plastic and doesn''t work anymore. Thus try banging it like you said or the dental tools. Jeffcat
OK so your Son-in-Law broke the key. I will tell you exactly how to handle this Yell at Him, tell him how stupid he is, how stupid your daughter is for marrying him. That will solve everything. Or handle this like a mature adult and let him learn to fix it, maybe even help him a little, have a good laugh and build a relationship.
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