Late Styled B - Hand start?

Hey guys, wanted to ask a question: could the late styled B's be had as hand start tractors, or was electric start standard? I've got a 1950 B and have been wanting to get another, older hand start Deere. But as always, I can't afford to do that right now. So, would I be able to (reasonably) convert my B to hand start? If so what would I need to do?

Thanks,

Mac
 
I'm pretty sure they were all electric start from the factory.

JD made a starting wheel with two slots at the end of a shaft that would go into the pin at the end of the crankshaft. It was used for in case the starter failed or it was too cold. The small inner flywheel cover has to come off to do this. Your 1950 should have the petcocks under the block unless someone replaced them with pipe plugs.

The problem is I don't think I've seen one of those wheels in person so they're probably hard to come by.
 
From ser# 201,000 and up electric start was standard on all B's. This is when they went to the pressed steel frame and battery under the seat.
 
The late B's were hand started by removing the center cap from the flywheel cover. Then you used a special stub shaft with your steering wheel installed to turn the flywheel through the hole. I have hand started my late B with a magneto by completely removing the flywheel cover and tying the the starter pedal up so the Bendix wouldn't drag. Then pulling the flywheel by had like any other hand start JD. Wear heavy gloves so the ring gear doesn't hurt your hands.
 
Actually John, you have seen one of those wheels - it used the tractor steering wheel. You removed the steering wheel and used a little (3 inch?) peg that mated the steering wheel to the crankshaft cross pin.
a picture
 
"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]<font color="#6699ff">The late B's were hand started by removing the center cap from the flywheel cover. Then you used a special stub shaft with your steering wheel installed to turn the flywheel through the hole.[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>"

Take a look at the illustration below.

a172290.jpg" width="650"


Take a look at the [b:654c4848f0]CRANKSHAFT OIL SLINGER, FLYWHEEL, AND ASSOCIATED PARTS[/b:654c4848f0] diagram below.

a172292.jpg" width="650"


Note the crankwheel pilot woodruff key (Key 18) and cranking shaft with key (Key 19).

Take a look at the photos of the stub shaft mentioned in the illustration above.

a172294.jpg" width="650"


a172295.jpg" width="650"


Hope this helps.
 
Hmm... well, those replies certainly answered my questions. Just thinking out loud here, but would an early styled flywheel fit the late crank if I was inclined to find one? Not that I really want to mess with a 125lb flywheel. I guess this is just a theoretical question now, since it seems like I'd be better off waiting for a true hand-start tractor to come my way. I'd really REALLY like to have an un-styled A or an early styled G. Dad had a '37 A, and I've just always wanted a G from about 1945/46. Just new enough to have power-trol, but still be hand-start. Ah well, a guy can dream I guess.

Thanks again for all your replies,
Mac
 
In my youth I recall always having a rope halter (1/2" rope) hung on the hydraulic lever to the left of the seat of our B.
When the 6 volt battery wasn't up to starting the '50 B (and that was often) we would "rope start" it.

Rope Starting The B
Set the brakes. Ensure the tractor is in neutral. Disengage the clutch. Open the petcocks. Set the choke and throttle. Wrap several rounds of rope around the pulley (clockwise) so that the end is over the top and toward the front. Engage the clutch. Pull! Close the petcocks on starting.
I've started the B countless times without incident using this method.
Richard
 

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