Thinking about this, if anyone has spent any time on pre '90's caterpillar tractors, they'll know that they had just that, a key switch, using a 2 prong key that had locking tabs on it for the tumbler to hold the key, we used to grind those off so you could switch on/off the power, and remove the key, especially helpful if you had this master key on your ring. Then you would use a rotary switch to start and shut off the tractor. Earlier this year I ran a 450H deere, pushing off some fill, it had a master switch in the left side compartment, similar set up.
I think for many applications they are a good thing, though I'm like most, far removed from the design of late model equipment, what would prohibit these being installed ?
I can think of 3 other reasons they can be very handy 1.) to kill power while working on one 2.) being quickly able to react to an electrical fire before it's too late, though I realize sometimes if not many times, it can be already, you need that extinguisher and the right type/size. 3.) Security, well any equipment savvy type would probably figure it out have most keys like the caterpillar ones, still makes em have to figure it out, might even stop a fool.
One thing is for sure, when working on something, especially electrical, you need to have that power off. I recently noticed the batteries getting weak in the 3150 JD I have been running for the farmer I've been helping for some time now. I took a look in there, and was checking for loose wires/connections, and what I think is the tachometer cable, had worn through it's cover to the steel, all I did was bump it while checking those connections, it arc'd out on the positive post of the Bosch alternator, and immediately caught fire, I prevented it from bonding to the post, but that covering would not go out, no extinguisher nearby, and knowing how important this tractor is, I blew on it and used my bare hands, often if not most times I wear thin leather gloves, because I can still work most times and it prevents injuries, sissy or not it's how I work, well this time I paid for not having them on, I put the fire out, but not realizing there was melting hot plastic, burnt the tips of my fingers but good, sure was a wake up call and I don't care who you are or what you do, it can and will happen when you least expect it, if this tractor had an oily, chaff or similar covered motor, it would have went up but quick, no extinguisher nearby, that has to change.
Not sure where this thread started or what initiated it, but it's a good safety/ tool box talk kind of reminder. Never even crossed my mind that I'd be dealing with a fire, while just checking things out, it had been arcing intermittently, darned good thing it did not happen in the field and not be noticed til it was too late, that would be the last thing this guy would need to deal with right now, big sigh of relief to have put it out, burnt fingers or not.
I have a buss type switch on my car battery negative terminal, alternator can all of a sudden start over charging, also drains the battery dead sometimes, obviously its the internally regulated alternator, which I cannot get access to, would like to avoid shop labor, darned thing is $200, + their time, might have to prop the engine off it's mounts or something, so I've kinda put it off, that switch sure is a handy thing in that situation, though I need to correct the problem it gets me through. Not sure who makes it, can look, just a buss bar, cast brass with lead posts, clamps to post type batteries, it's old cause I remember a few of them floating around in the garage when I was a kid, someone has to make something like these now, I have a quick disconnect on my old f-600, just unscrew it, separates the cable, breaks the circuit.
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Today's Featured Article - Women and Tractors - More Views From the Farmer's Wife - by Teri Burkholder. The top ten reasons why the judges wouldn't let you participate in the stock antique tractor pull: Hey, this is stock! It came with that V8 in it! That "R" on my tires stands for "really old" not radial! Blue gas? We thought it was a pretty color! What wire hooked to my throttle?
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