Parked on incline, can't start

My '61 JD 3010 LP worked well plowing snow a few weeks ago. It started dang good for a cold-blooded LP tractor! When I finished with the snow plowing, I parked it in the driveway on about a 15-20 degree incline (nose up) so I could keep it close to the electrical outlet and keep the block heater plugged in. It's been sitting there for about 3 weeks (block heater not plugged).

On Friday afternoon, temperature about 65 degrees, I decided that spring might be winning the battle and I could move the tractor back to the shed. I took my fresh battery out to the tractor (I keep it on a trickle charger in the garage) and hooked it up, got into the seat and tried to start the tractor.

It tried to start, but just won't keep going. Everything sounds good. It has good spark and I can smell exhaust.....but, it just won't keep going. As long as I have the key turned, it sounds like it's going to run just great. But, as soon as I release the key, it dies.

I can't figure out what happened. Is there anything about parking on the incline that might be affecting the air intake?

I had a tarp over the seat and steering console, and it reached over the distributor cap. Could it be moisture build up in the distributor? I've left it uncovered for a few days, and am ready to try it again.

Any other advice or suggestions?

Thanks,
piperjim

Check your power going to the coil. Those have a bypass going to the coil from the starter solenoid to give them full 12 volts when starting but they run through a resistor to step down to 6 volts when running. It sounds like your run circuit is not providing power to the coil. If you don't have power at the coil with the key on, I would look at the resistor and see if it went bad.

Your ign switch has a resister on it that's burned out . The starter has a bypass wire that runs to the coil so it gets 12v during cranking , that's why it runs during cranking .The ign. switch has burned wire ends and the switch is no good I would recommend you put on a PERTRONICS IGN. system. You wont know its the same tractor.

I agree with the others, ballast resistor burned out or wiring/switch issue. I would turn the ignition switch on, use a test light and see where it goes off.

Thanks guys for the suggestions and assistance. I'll get the old test meter out tomorrow and check it out. The weather is great now, so it's a pleasure to be out tinkering on the tractor!!

Appreciate the help!!

And, I've emailed Pertronics for assistance on the right system for my positive-ground rig.

Thanks,