really dumb question on a Gleaner E

Scott(MO)

Member
I bought a Gleaner E years ago for combining Fescue but never had gotten around to working on it until last Saturday. I put a battery in to try to get it running and it brought the question to my mind "should this be negative ground or positive ground?". For some reason I'm thinking negative ground, but Allis Chalmers Tractor of that era were Positive ground. so I'm unsure. I couldn't find it in the manual. Any help out there? Thanks.
 
I'm not familiar with the E series.

I will assume they are all gas engines?

Typically 6volt is positive ground, 12 volt is negative ground?

Paul
 
The best rule of thumb I have ever found to follow on this old equipment for electrical is if it has a generator on it, it's generally a positive ground, and if it has an alternator, it's negative ground. It is not going to work all the time, but it will get you right most of the time. Also, if the engine is a distributer ignition, look at the coil. If the wire to the distributor is on the + terminal, it is positive ground, if it is on the - terminal of the coil, it is negative ground. Hope this helps!
 
All "E"s had a later D17, 226 gas engine, with the full flow oil filter. The governor/carb. system was different in that governed speed was adjustable at the engine. At all speeds below that the throttle lever was simply overriding the governor. They also had a mechanical fuel pump/bowl assembly. 12 volt system. One thing I can't recall with certainty is the polarity!
 
Older Case tractors all had generators and were 6 volt negative ground, SC, DC, LA. VAC Case was 6v pos. ground. Newer series, like the 630 were 12 pos. ground, so your assumption does not hold true.
 
wouldn't this roughly be the same as a allis motor of the same vintage. Those were negative ground. even my wd-45 with the same setup as a newer d14 was negative ground. I know my early serial F with a chevy straight 6 is negative ground. a manual off ebay would only be 20 bucks. may be a good investment.
 
Steve,
I do have a manual for it and I didn't see it in there, but I'm going to look again tonight.
You mention AC motors of that vintage were negative ground, but our Series IV D17 Allis is not. It is Positive Ground and I believe (I will have to double check), but our D19 Allis is Positive Ground. It actually run 2 six volt battery's in series to get the desired 12 volts.
But, I believe it was Positive ground as well as our D17. Have a great evening.
 
Well, the search is finally over. I looked again through my Gleaner E owners Manual and I just don't see it there. So, I dug out a 1962 Dealer Parts Catalog for the Model "E" Self Propelled Gleaner Baldwin Combine and they show a picture of engine parts with two cables coming from the battery box. Cable #17 says battery positive and goes out in space. Cable #19 says battery negative and shows it going to part #20 magnetic Switch (or starter solenoid). So, the mystery is over. The Gleaner E is Positive Ground.....or at least until I put an alternator on it..LOL.
 
Just a thought, if the battery hasen't been in it for a long time, check & see which terminal fits where. One will be larger than the other & I'd almost bet that's the way it's been ran. Just my thoughts, Keith
 
If you repolarize the generator, you can run whatever positive or negative you prefer.
I just put negative ground on everything so there is no confusion.
 
If you repolarize the generator, you can run whatever positive or negative you prefer.
I just put negative ground on everything so there is no confusion.
 

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