Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Attention Forum Users: On the 28th of December 2023 at 9:00am Central Time, we will be taking the forums down for maintenance while we prepare the new forums for your use. Please click here for more information.

Discussion Forum
:

TO-20 Starter Problems

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Brad (TX)

07-25-2001 15:13:40




Report to Moderator

I have been having recurring problems with the starter on my '49 TO-20. The end casting has been breaking after only about 40 or so starts. The castings have all broken along an identical line. It costs $55 each time this happens, and I am at my wits end to figure out why it is doing this. I have started welding the castings now - much cheaper and about the same durability.
Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, have you been able to fix it?
How about a crank to start this tractor, does anybody know where I can buy one?
Another question I have is on tire size - what is the correct size for this tractor? I have 15" rims on it (with car radials on it now!).
Please post or e-mail me.

Thanks

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Brad (TX)

07-30-2001 12:33:54




Report to Moderator
 Re: TO-20 Starter Problems in reply to Brad (TX), 07-25-2001 15:13:40  
Thanks for all of the advice. I have looked at the flywheel and the teeth look good, next I will check the timing. I know it is slightly advanced since I too have the problem with low compression. I bought this tractor late last year for $2200 (with a raggedy 5' shredder). It looks good from the outside, but that is because it was freshly painted all over before I got it.
It has been worked on before. The head gasket went out and that is when I found out it has a TO-30 head and oilpan. I can't get to where the oil filter USED to be. I really only use this tractor to move round bales of hay with - using a hay dolly pulled from the drawbar. I am getting a newer tractor next year, adn I may keep this one just to use in parades and such. It smokes so badly thugh, I wouldn't doubt that they insist I go last! I am not sure anyone would want to be on a float pulled by it either!
Thanks for the ideas.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
stevie_alc

07-26-2001 20:22:41




Report to Moderator
 Re: TO-20 Starter Problems in reply to Brad (TX), 07-25-2001 15:13:40  
Brad;

Some posts mention 12 volt conversion. My tractor was converted to 12 volt 6-8 years ago. Why would this show up now. My profesional assistant is coming by next week to help me out. Untill then the tractor sets. Dad bought this tractor new and it has never been abused.

I guess 12 volt could be the problem. I can get a 12 volt starter for it. Fergot the price.

stevie

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Va Bil

07-26-2001 17:57:17




Report to Moderator
 Re: TO-20 Starter Problems in reply to Brad (TX), 07-25-2001 15:13:40  

Checked with my tractor repair man and he said the only one he had with repeated breaks was caused by broken and worn teeth on flywheel ring gear which caused high low spining stress on nose cone.Be sure to check flywheel



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Neal(IN)

07-26-2001 03:28:52




Report to Moderator
 Re: TO-20 Starter Problems in reply to Brad (TX), 07-25-2001 15:13:40  
Brad

If your tractor has been converted to 12V this may apply. If not just ignore it.
I just connverted my TO-20 to 12V and in the process took the starter to a shop for a rebuild. When I told the guy what I was doing he recommended converting the starter as well. I told him I had heard they work fine as is provided you don't crank them to much. He said that was right but what can happen is that with the 12V the bendix slams foward so hard it can break the nose off the starter. I had never heard this before but figured what the heck so I had it done. About $125 for the rebuild and conversion which amounts to changing the field coils.

Neal

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Rory

07-25-2001 23:55:00




Report to Moderator
 Re: TO-20 Starter Problems in reply to Brad (TX), 07-25-2001 15:13:40  
Brad,my father bought his to20 new in 1950 never had that problem till a few years ago,took a couple more years and five nose cones and two armatures to figure it out!seem someones son bought him a new finsh mower for it! and the old fella doesn't remember to shift the pto out when hes been using the mower! breaks it on the frist try every time! just isn't strong enough to start that mower.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
stevie_alc

07-25-2001 19:25:28




Report to Moderator
 Re: TO-20 Starter Problems in reply to Brad (TX), 07-25-2001 15:13:40  
Brad;

I had never herd of this happening before. It has happened twice now on my TO-30. Mechanic says could be caused by timming too far advanced. Timing advance on distributer not working right. Moving shift lever into the start position when engine is running or not releasing start switch soon enough when starting engine.

Had nose cone welded first time. $20. Mechanic had some spare parts under work bench so took the two starters and made one $30. Now have to check all this stuff out and hope it dont happen again. Ring gear looks ok.

Good luck and keep us posted. I will do same.

stevie

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Larry in Missouri

07-26-2001 15:18:06




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: TO-20 Starter Problems in reply to stevie_alc, 07-25-2001 19:25:28  
Absolutely, check the timing. I know of a guy that kept breaking the noses of his starter. When a mechanic looked at the engine, he couldn't believe that anyone could even use this tractor! The engine had almost no compression, and the timing was so far advanced to get ANY power stroke at all that it would jump back and break the starter. It's easy enough to check (unless you have one of the TO-20s without a hole by the flywheel to check for timing marks). Set the timing and see how it runs. If it doesn't, check your compression.

Larry in Missouri

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Va Bil

07-25-2001 18:56:54




Report to Moderator
 Re: TO-20 Starter Problems in reply to Brad (TX), 07-25-2001 15:13:40  

Gee so many possibilities for some thing to be wrong.How long you have had the tractor.Newly purchased.I would start to check the alignment on everything.right starter?Flywheel runs true? armature shaft not bent?
sometimes pilot bearing wears out of round and will flex on turns.ring gear on flywheel messed up? So many things to check just eliminate what you can.Parts yards can usually come up with a crank that will work.e mail if you like.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy