Rusty - long shot. If the guy didn't weigh much - and he leaned forward at the same time as he grabbed the shifter, perhaps he dis-energized the seat switch ? Also, sometimes guys with short legs will edge forward on the seat and get the same prob..

My guess also, his butt coming off the seat

Well, you guys helped immensely! I forgot to tell you this: The cushion part of the seat is no longer glued, nor fastened to the seat pan! It just sets there as i ride on the tractor. The owner removes the seat cushion when he stops using the machine, in case of rain.
Oh Ho! Cleared that up! Thanks, and why didn't i think of that?! The heat and humidity must of caused my
brain -art! I suppose the owner thinks his machine is just like a farm tractor, or a car, or truck, that leaving it set out in rain won't hurt the operation of it.
Thanks to all! RJ

Last evening, i heard a tractor start up and run, so with me being the only one here at my house who runs anything, i stepped outside--and there was the tractor owner ready to load it up! He didn't owe me any cash, and i had told him 2 weeks ago to come get it, so nothing to say. I had told him about the seat being junk, so he is going to get another one. The tractor looks like 40 miles of bad road, but he likes it! Soohhhkay.