I have not had this issue but it has certainly been brought up before. I would talk to your dealer about the warranty part of it but this is what I suspect. The keyswitch would not be warranted anymore and anything that was damaged by moving it like if you got a wire too tight and it shorted and burned something else that would not be either. I really doubt you would have to worry about them complete voiding the warranty.

 

If'n it was me.......

I'd shorten the key itself so just enough is left that a homemade tool could fit over the remaining bit of key and turn it to start etc...
Then I'd attach the tool onto the tractor so that it is never lost or can't go far from key.

Picture a female slot ground into the face of a old plastic screwdriver handle. Kinda a reverse slotted screw driver setup.

 

One of our members, JD4044M, used some drawer handles to make a guard to cover the key area on his tractor.

 

Best idea I've heard yet, this has come up a few times on here and other tractor groups.

Everything we do without thinking, we do because of "muscle memory."

This actually does work, though a lot will disagree. About a month or two into owning my 2025R I hit the ROD handle with my foot getting on, bent it just a little but it still funtioned just fine. I became aware of that and was conscious of it for awhile and then it just became muscle memory to make sure that my right foot swung in front of that when getting on the tractor. I've read a lot about this with the 32/38R before getting mine and was already aware of it, my first thought was "it's easy to see how that happens", but I've been aware of it from the start.

 

This is a training issue. Take some time to train yourself to consistently get on and off the tractor without doing whatever it is you're doing to break the key. Everything we do without thinking, we do because of "muscle memory." You need to reprogram your muscle memory to remove this issue.

Take some time out of every day, just a few minutes, and get on and off the tractor as many times as you can in a way that doesn't break the key. Do this for a few days, maybe a coupe of weeks at most, and it won't be a problem anymore.

 

True, I have not hit mine in the year and a half since this thread started. I learned where to put my foot and leg.
I will probably now break the key the next time I use the tractor

 

No issues with mine and I have a small carabiner hanging off it.
As I see it you could cut the key short of the red (top half) inert and leave key in ignition and use top part to start it.
Cut the top of the key where its real short.

 

Yep, I have the same problem. I have not broken mine off yet but it's about to happen. I have bent mine several times just turning around to look backwards. I doubt very seriously it is a training issue. I have been around tractors all my life and never had this problem. I like my JD's but this is a poor design by any means. If you have long legs it is going to be a problem. I have my seat set back all the way. I am also looking for a fix for this issue.

 

I agree. Looking backwards is most likely the way that most of them get broke. I have the same problem with my open cab 3039R.

 

I'm surprised more folks don't have this issue. WHY did they move the location of the ignition key to dead center on the lower part of console? Many other models have them slightly off to the right side and they never get in the way.

How did none of the test drivers at the plant not ever catch one with their knee while getting on the tractor?

 

I have to agree. My 2038r is 99.999% perfect in every way, excellent design. Except for the 0.001% key location.

 

I don't have one of these machines to take a look at it. I assume that the key is in a vertical position when off. This position is probably most prone to being hit and bending a key. Is there a nut around the switch assembly where it could be repositioned? Rotating the key 90 degrees so it is at a position like -- rather than | might help. Just a thought of what might be a free fix.

 

I don't have one of these machines to take a look at it. I assume that the key is in a vertical position when off. This position is probably most prone to being hit and bending a key. Is there a nut around the switch assembly where it could be repositioned? Rotating the key 90 degrees so it is at a position like -- rather than | might help. Just a thought of what might be a free fix.

That's not a bad idea other than it might hurt the knee a little more when contacting the key in the horizontal position.

 

fix the problem.......put a guard around it .....or move the location.....or learn to live with it.....i can think of a thousand ways to put a guard on it....yep its a engineer brain fart but its not a insurmountable mountain ...

 

Didn't like where it was first time I got on but mostly because I couldn't see it to put the key in while setting in the seat.
I'm 6'4" and was watching today and I saw how close I was getting every now and then.
I may look into moving it to the side or maybe a non key switch.

 

Ok, so I took the time yesterday to actually look at the problem. Since I am mandated to stay in my house errr/farm area. If you look sideways across where the key switch is located with the key in, you will see that the key protrudes about 1/4" past the smooth surface allowing your knee to hit the key. So I took my key and cut about 1/4" off the head of my key. WHAMO fixed the problem. I can swing my legs anywhere I wish and not hit the key at all.

In this picture you see the key not shortened and showing

Here is a picture with the key head ground down

Here is a picture of both keys side by side and you still have enough to drill a hole for a key ring.

 

Ok, so I took the time yesterday to actually look at the problem. Since I am mandated to stay in my house errr/farm area. If you look sideways across where the key switch is located with the key in, you will see that the key protrudes about 1/4" past the smooth surface allowing your knee to hit the key. So I took my key and cut about 1/4" off the head of my key. WHAMO fixed the problem. I can swing my legs anywhere I wish and not hit the key at all.

In this picture you see the key not shortened and showing
View attachment 731618

Here is a picture with the key head ground down

View attachment 731619

Here is a picture of both keys side by side and you still have enough to drill a hole for a key ring.

View attachment 731620

my 2019 2032 is not like that at all, key sticks out a lot further.

 

Wow! It sure does. You may have to move that one. Maybe on the dash.

 

Ok, I have now broken 2 keys on my 2019 2032R, simply by hitting it as I get on and off.
Has anyone had this issue and if so, how did you resolve it? It was thinking of possibly moving the switch to a more accessible location but worry about voiding my warrant. Also thought about possibly adding a cover for when the key is in the switch.
I was able to get extra keys on Amazon after breaking the first one, so I have a few spares.

my 2019 2032 is not like that at all, key sticks out a lot further.
View attachment 731913

Same problem with my 2038R - snapped the key off in the ignition. Giant inconvenience and took me a full day to get the piece out. I had some extra cabinet handles which I attached to protect the new key . Hopefully this won’t happen again.

w

 

Ok, I have now broken 2 keys on my 2019 2032R, simply by hitting it as I get on and off.
Has anyone had this issue and if so, how did you resolve it? It was thinking of possibly moving the switch to a more accessible location but worry about voiding my warrant. Also thought about possibly adding a cover for when the key is in the switch.
I was able to get extra keys on Amazon after breaking the first one, so I have a few spares.

2038R - after snapping a key off in the ignition and the major problem it created me, I used 2 sturdy cabinet handles, drilled and screwed them into the cowell from behind with washers. I pray this is a solid solution. 👍🏼