The tweezers gave me an idea to grind down a pick to a sharp point. My "pointy" tweezers weren't up to the task. Bent too easily.
I was able to get the point in the slot on the side of the key and pry it out. At first it didn't budge, pick kept slipping, but after a few minutes it all of a sudden popped out.

Thank you everyone for the quick Ideas. Very much appreciated.

 

I've got lucky on a few keys with a pick set like this.

 

Thanks for posting fix which helps others.

Sent from my SM-S205DL using Tapatalk

 

there are a lot of things i would try before i replaced the switch

tweezers would be first try........magnet if its metallic......tiny drill into end and tiny tap...or drill at angle enough to get a edge to hook it ..... solder....dental pick....try some form of suction

leave it in and just use a screw driver on whats left to start it since its suseptical to being broke anyway.......or use the piece you get out to make a flatter key that will not catch you knee in the future

 

if i had a tractor with that key location i would make a key that would not be a knee knocker somehow cause its bound to happen again

 

I’ve bent mine several times banging it with my knee. My orange ones have them pointing up, on the dash next to steering wheel.

 

Tweezers.

 

you can also use a dab of hot melt glue

 

Yep! That's a terrible key switch location. Glad that you got it removed. They make a tool for pulling them out though, and they work wonderfully. Search for "broken key extractor" and you'll find some TINY little pieces of broken scroll saw blades. Slide a suitable one down beside the broken key, ensure the teeth are towards the broken piece, and usually those tiny teeth will engage the piece and flip it out easily. Start working shallow and stay shallow if possible, you don't want to risk any damage to the lock tumblers. Just one of those cheaper tools that are great to have on hand and hope that you never need.

 

Drill a hole or 2 in the New one so it will break at a spot where you can get pliers on it.

 

Check out the "john deere key saver" on ebay to prevent it from happening again.

 

Red or black key?

 

Mine are red.

 

Will try but as mentioned the part of the key is recessed in the slot so you can't get anything on it to grab it.

 

Needle nose tweezers.

I've also heard of using bubble gum.

Google "broken key" and I'm sure you'll get dozens of ideas!

 

Glad it's solved. you can get keys at Lowes. They have original keys

 

Thanks for posting your removal method. I've bent both of my keys with my knee. It's a matter of time before one of them is broken off in the ignition switch.

 

Is the key on a 3038 the same as my 3025D? Mine is in the center but recessed and not anything I'm even close to hitting

 

Is the key on a 3038 the same as my 3025D? Mine is in the center but recessed and not anything I'm even close to hitting

Same with my 3038e, it's out of the way.

Sent from my SM-S205DL using Tapatalk

 

Is it true that every JD key is the same? I do know that I can start my lawn tractor and my 1025R with the same key. They are incredibly thin, in my opinion. I’d consider replacing the switches with a beefier, independently keyed ignition, if one were available.

 

Is it true that every JD key is the same? I do know that I can start my lawn tractor and my 1025R with the same key.

Not sure about all models but many series use the same generic key.

They are incredibly thin, in my opinion. I’d consider replacing the switches with a beefier, independently keyed ignition, if one were available.

It's more the placement of the ignition on some models. IMHO the ignition should never be in a position where it can get whacked with anything.

 

Here's mine. Second picture you see my knee is a foot away, impossible to hit the key. View attachment 867328

Sent from my SM-S205DL using Tapatalk

 

Here's mine. Second picture you see my knee is a foot away, impossible to hit the key. View attachment 867328 View attachment 867329

Sent from my SM-S205DL using Tapatalk

Completely different than mine.
Also. throttle and light switch are different.

 

while inspecting my 2032r for delivery, the key was bent. the salesman produced this key, it seems shorter than the original?

 

Similar to my keys.