TO-20 starting

First put your voltmeter on the 2 battery terminals negative to negative and positive to positive and crank the tractor. The voltage read on the meter should stay around 9 volts or higher AS YOU ARE CRANKING. If it drops much lower than than 9 volts, battery may need a charge or replacement or perhaps it is too small for the tractor.

Second, assuming negative ground, move the positive lead (LEAVE NEGATIVE WHERE IT IS)of your voltmeter to where the positive battery wire enters the starter and crank the engine again. I would think you should have less than 1 volt read on the meter while cranking otherwise you may have bad connections, solenoid etc.

Finally, move your positive METER lead to the engine block in a paint free area and crank again. You should have little or no voltage on your meter or again, bad connections between your negative battery terminal and the block. Note: Others on this sight have suggested moving the battery ground lead to a bolt on the block close to the starter if it is not already there.

Notes: Pull the coil wire or disconnect primary so tractor won't start during this test.

Tip: before doing any of this or maybe WHILE you are doing this, feel the many connections for heat. If anything gets hot, there goes some of your voltage.

We need to figure out how much voltage you have to work with.

Before you begin, make sure your battery terminals are clean and tight.

First put your voltmeter on the 2 battery terminals negative to negative and positive to positive and crank the tractor. The voltage read on the meter should stay around 9 volts or higher AS YOU ARE CRANKING. If it drops much lower than than 9 volts, battery may need a charge or replacement or perhaps it is too small for the tractor.

Second, assuming negative ground, move the positive lead of your voltmeter to where the positive battery wire enters the starter and move the negative lead to the positive battery terminal. Crank the engine again. I would think you should have less than 1 volt read on the meter while cranking otherwise you may have bad connections, solenoid etc.

Finally, move your positive METER lead to the engine block in a paint free area and move the negative lead back to the negative battery post. Crank again. You should have little or no voltage on your meter or again, bad connections between your negative battery terminal and the block.

Note: Others on this sight have suggested moving the battery ground lead to a bolt on the block close to the starter if it is not already there.

Notes: Pull the coil wire or disconnect primary so tractor won't start during this test.

Tip: before doing any of this or maybe WHILE you are doing this, feel the many connections for heat. If anything gets hot, there goes some of your voltage.