On Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:53:38 -0400, jw wrote:
With my new insight, I have checked and find no sign of any cut-off
switch under the seat. I expected to find one - disconnected or
otherwise not working. Okay, what would be the easiest way for me to
create and install such a switch? Can someone reply with some advice
and particulars?

Problem there is that I often find myself shifting my weight when I'm
doing the ditches - both for balance and to keep the mower from losing
traction; I'm not sure how reliable a seat switch would be in those
situations (my lawn tractor's old and never had one, and I've never used
a more recent mower that does).

What would maybe work is some sort of kill switch based upon a plug that
had to be inserted into the dash, connected via a short cord and clip to
my belt. That way if I fell off, the machine would still stop because the
plug would be pulled out, but I'd still be able to move around in the
seat.