Starter on SH Stage II

Va Gasman · Apr 23, 2014

Two days ago I tried to start SH and there was no contact. I checked the start button on the starter. Removed it and made contact direct to Copper Bump on starter and nothing happened. Hit starter housing by accident and had massive spark.
Rolled tractor off to start, got back to work and later tried to start and it worked fine. This has happened twice. Can there be a dead spot on the armature?
This is the 3 bolt starter.

Dean Olson · Apr 23, 2014

A similar incident with my 54 SH was a poor ground.

Being a shade tree mechanic it took me a while to figure it out. Electrical tester showed I had power everywhere I was supposed to. Just not enough amps to work correctly.

I ran the ground wire to the starter bolt.

Dave H (MI) · Apr 23, 2014

I really hate starter issues. Some people laugh at me but it seems like there are a lot of places things can go wrong. Starting with the concept that battery cables at the auto shop are generally a little light in the loafers for tractor use. Then the whole grounding issue on a machine that is decades old, covered with grease, dirt, and oil and probably sat outside at some point for an extended period so add rust into the equation. Pull into the shop, clean all the connections including every place there is a ground. Use a VOM to check continuity and see if you can isolate any weak spots. My 300U was helping me with some hydraulic issues on the corn planter last fall and suddenly started giving me problems when I went to start it. Finally just died altogether. I took the starter to the auto electric shop and it was just on it's last leg so I had it rebuilt. Fired up yesterday like a new tractor. Thing you have to remember with these IH tractors is that they are REALLY good starters if everything is up to spec.

Bob M · Apr 23, 2014

To add to the others' excellent suggestions, check for stuck/worn out/broken brushes.

If that's the problem you can easily and cheaply replace the brushes yourself.

mkirsch · Apr 23, 2014

You could very well have a gunked-up armature.

My uncle cleaned up the armature on my Super M's starter on his armature lathe and it works like new. Before that, starting it was a crapshoot.

mike1972chev · Apr 23, 2014

Yea,collectively what all are pretty much saying here already. Take it all the way down and rebuild it all the way with everything it needs. It will last forever and beat any junk aftermarket starter you would buy.(You will probably find a TON of "gunk" inside that case!!!)

I bought new brushes,bushings,starter drive,new switch,new stud,pretty reasonable.Sand blasted,primered,painted the case just because.(12 Volt tag just for fun.

Hopefully will last another 40-60 years???

Starter on SH Stage II

Va Gasman

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Dean Olson

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Dave H (MI)

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Bob M

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mkirsch

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mike1972chev

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