Here we go again

fOXTOOTH · Oct 8, 2018

1952 Fergy TO-30, 6V positive ground.
I had some trouble with it last year not starting, turned out to be a bad starter, so I replaced that. This time I go out there, it started right up without choke, but yknow how if you engage the PTO and let go of the clutch it will stall out sometimes? Well, it did that, when I went to start it- nothing. The battery was at 90% charged up to 100% in 5 min. I took a cable from the neg/batt post to the starter nothing- not even sparks. All wires are tight. Tried touching both posts on the mech switch with screwdriver, nothing- not even sparks. What could be the issue? Thanx in advance for your help.

old · Oct 8, 2018

Check the battery cable on the + side both at the battery and at where it bolts to the tractor. Next check that the starter it self is grounded well.

rvirgil_KS · Oct 8, 2018

I would first insure that the battery cable connections on both ends of both cables are clean and tight. Especially where the ground cable connects to the tractor frame.

I would not trust a ground cable connection to a battery box or sheet metal. I would want a ground cable from battery post to main frame of tractor as near to starter as I could get it. If it now connects to a battery box or other sheet metal you likely have several rusty connections that are creating problems.

If there is any question about condition of a cable or either end connection, replace the cable.

You could do a quick check by taking your jumper cable and connect it between positive (ground) battery post and a frame connection as near to starter as possible. Make sure it is a good clamp to metal connection not obstructed by grease or paint.

Bruce(OR) · Oct 8, 2018

Might be time to pull the starter and bench test it. When you reinstall it, make sure the mounting face is shiny bare metal as well as the
face on the starter.

fOXTOOTH · Oct 9, 2018

So I tried all the suggestions and after each one I tried to start and still got nothing. The batt ground was in good shape and I have it on a motor bolt directly above the starter, so I didn't think that was an issue. I pulled the starter and tried to jump it with the F 250, nothing. So then I thought I would switch the leads of the jumper cables on the starter side only and got a spark. Switched the leads back and the starter spun so I hooked it back up and it worked fine.
Now my question is this: is there some way the starter can get reverse polarity? Since it worked fine when I originally went out there but the tractor stalled out, I may have inadvertently hit the key switch instead of the choke when it was stalling- would that do it? Thanx for your replies I really appreciated them.

old · Oct 9, 2018

To me it sounds like you have a starter that is about to go AWOL on your and the brushes are getting bad. By switching the polarity it did nothing but maybe make the flow of power go the other way which can be enough to make things work due to the flow being backwards of what it was

Charles in Aus. · Oct 9, 2018

The starter will spin in the same direction regardless of how the cables are connected , positive or negative ground makes no difference This is why you can keep the same starter when you change tractors from positive to negative earth wiring .
My guess ; and it is a guess, is that for some reason one or more brushes are not moving freely and are losing contact with the rotor . If it happens again try belting the side with a piece of wood , it may loosen them enough .

Here we go again

fOXTOOTH

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old

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rvirgil_KS

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Bruce(OR)

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fOXTOOTH

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old

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Charles in Aus.

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