TO-20 won't start without jump

gene zick

New User
I have a 1951 Harry Ferguson T0-20. I just had my starter rebuilt. The starter had some teeth broken, I checked the flywheel starter ring gear it looks okay. The tractor is generally started by engaging the gearshift. When I do this nothing happens. I can jump the starter off the battery and it will start and run. I have checked the wiring but don't see anything loose or broken. I am not sure where to go from here. Could this be an electrical issue or perhaps the ignition switch? The battery is brand new. The battery was negative ground when I got it. Any thoughts. Thanks
 
You can try loosening the 4 bolts that hold the starter button plate and move it forward and backward with someone on the tractor trying to engage the shift lever with their foot on the clutch, I also recommend locking the brake pedal on the right side. Hopefully it is just this simple.
 
(quoted from post at 21:30:37 02/23/14) I can jump the starter off the battery and it will start and run. I have checked the wiring but don't see anything loose or broken. I am not sure where to go from here. Could this be an electrical issue or perhaps the ignition switch?

It may be a long shot, but I'll share my experience with my '51 TO30. It would be an easy fix if it's your problem. My tractor quit starting for me with the gear shift--it wouldn't turn over at all. But when I jumped the starter from the battery it started almost immediately.

I thought the starter switch might be bad, but first I pulled the wires off the switch. I polished everything up really cleanly and covered it all with dialectric grease. It now turns over rapidly and starts easily.

I converted it to 12 volts some years ago. Many talk about "clean and bright" connections for the 6 volt tractors, but it's also true for 12 volts.
 
If it's the same setup as a TO30, I had a situation where the cotter pin failed on the starter linkage. Do a search on Starter button linkage and you'll find a post from May of last year with good pictures of all the inside stuff to give you an idea of what's going on in there
 
Richard's advise (second post above) is correct and likely your problem.

The only other possibility may be dirty or corroded contacts in the switch. You could take it apart and clean it or may need a new switch.

[b:bbcfffa14a]Warning:[/b:bbcfffa14a] when you take out the bell housing starter switch [u:bbcfffa14a]make sure you tie the gear shift link up with wire[/u:bbcfffa14a]. Don't let it drop down into the bell housing.

Bob in Oz
'53 TEA20
 

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