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In Need of Help w/ TO-20

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John Falstad

01-11-2002 14:48:25




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Here's my story. I have a TO-20 with a six volt system. At present, the battery is hooked up with negative ground, which I've gotten conflicting stories as to which is correct... Positive ground or negative ground. Anyway, when I turn the key, the starter doesn't engage all the way...like the bendix isn't pushing the starter gear into the flywheel. Therefore it won't start unless I pull start it. But, if the key is turned into the off position, the starter does engage. Obviously, it won't fire, but the starter engages. Go figure? My question is, if I change the connection to a positive ground, do I burn things up or will the voltage regulator prevent any foul-ups?

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Jim W

01-12-2002 11:42:27




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 Re: In Need of Help w/ TO-20 in reply to John Falstad, 01-11-2002 14:48:25  
It sounds to me like when you turn the key to on, some load is getting connected, and perhaps the voltage at the bendix is then just low enough not to fully engage it. You could try measuring the battery voltage with the key off, and then with it on. See how much the voltage drops; it should be either none, or just a bit. The only load is supposed to be the coil, if the points happen to be closed, but that shouldn't drop the voltage enough to cause your problem.
As a first step I would clean all the connections really well. They are even more important in a 6V system than in a 12v. Switching polarity shouldn't cause any problems, but you will need to deal with the generator, as the field winding tends to retain a bit of a magnetic field. With the generator disconnected, but with its case grounded (negative), connect the field terminal quickly (like a second or so) to the positive side of the battery to re-polarize it. It will then charge properly once your system is back together. The regulator will be OK, but if you have an ammeter it will read backwards. To fix that swap the wires on its terminals.

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John Falstad

01-21-2002 15:22:20




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 Re: Re: In Need of Help w/ TO-20 in reply to Jim W, 01-12-2002 11:42:27  
Thanks Jim W, M. Hendershot, Indiana Ray, and Dan K. for your input. I finally got it started...needed a new starter. Whoever set up this electrical system did it with negative ground, so I've left it that way. She fires right up now and I couldn't be happier. Thanks again. I really appreciate your help.



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Mark Hendershot

01-12-2002 07:58:26




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 Re: In Need of Help w/ TO-20 in reply to John Falstad, 01-11-2002 14:48:25  
Just a thought, I don't know if you have head lights but if you had a weak battry and you are turning the key to the point that the lights are on also, with the extra draw on the battry maybe you don't have enought researve to start it with. Try staring it with the first click on the key. Yes it is Pos. Ground. Mark H.



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Ray,IN

01-11-2002 20:35:16




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 Re: In Need of Help w/ TO-20 in reply to John Falstad, 01-11-2002 14:48:25  
All H.Ferguson TO series tractors originally were 6V positive ground systems. This a good, efficient electrical system IF kept in good condition by proper, regular maintanence. This included using "0" gauge copper battery cables. The wimpy 6 gauge 12V cables will not carry adequate current to the starter. Your post indicates that the electrical system on your tractor has been changed/modified. To obtain a diagram of your electrical system visit the links on the YT H. Ferguson page. The starter switch is located below the battery in the top of the clutch case, and activated by the gear shift lever. The key should only energize the hot side of the switch. I recommend buying a reprint owners manual from a MF dealer, it has the information needed for normal maintanence.

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Daniel Klingensmith

01-11-2002 20:21:33




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 Re: In Need of Help w/ TO-20 in reply to John Falstad, 01-11-2002 14:48:25  
They TO-20 Had a positive ground 6volt system.



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