1951 John Deere B starting issues

I restored my father's'51 B a few years ago. It runs well but I was going through batteries like crazy. I just recently learned about polarizing the regulator. Before I could do that I had been jumping it with my truck (12 volt, of course). Now it won't even turn over, even when jumped. What should I check?

Does your tractor have a 6 volt or 12 volt battery installed?

6 volt

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This is one method to troubleshoot the starter.

You might consider either recharging or replacing the 6 volt battery.

Check the battery voltage.





Clean both battery posts/terminals and the battery cable ends attached to the battery.

Remove the starter opening cover.





Using a test light, check for power at the starter switch.



If there is no power at the starter switch, then check the POSITIVE ground cable on the battery.

You might consider "grounding" the POSITIVE battery cable to the Powr-Trol to get a better ground connection.



If there is power at the starter switch, then detach the NEGATIVE battery cable and remove the starter switch.

Set both latch locks on the brakes.

Disengage the clutch lever.

Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.

Take the end of the NEGATIVE battery cable and briefly touch it to the stud terminal on the starter.

If the starter does not engage, then remove the starter for repair/replacement.

If the starter does engage, then check the starter switch for excessive wear.



If there is excessive wear, then replace the starter switch.

Check the stud terminal for excessive wear.





If the stud terminal has excessive wear, then remove the starter and repair/replace the stud terminal.



Hope this helps.

Thanks a lot. This should really get me headed in the right direction. Thanks again.