Went out this past weekend to some work with the tractor. It did not have enough juice to turn over engine to start. First thought was to jump start but then thought I don't have anything else that is 6 volt system to jump and second the tractor is positive ground. Battery is only 2 years old and started the tractor just a week ago. I have solar panels but use those to charge 12 VDC battery. What are my options, what can I do?

I will check the belt tightness and report back

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While you are at it check the tightness of the fan belt.

I had the wife pull me and I got the tractor running. This weekend plan to remove battery and check the water if low will add distilled water and will clean the terminals if needed. Also the battery is only 2 years old (from Tractor Supply).

Once the tractor was running I worked around the home for about an hour and thought it would be plenty of time to charge the battery. I parked turned off and tried to start immediately and no dice - battery didn't have enough juice to turn engine over.

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I wouldn't be touching the starter! I'd be touching the ground.

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The starter switch in the on position??? I think you mean the key switch.

While you are servicing the battery check the terminals closely. The cause of slow cranking is far and away most likely to be poor terminal connection due to gray oxide on the interior surface. Clean is not good enough; they must be clean and shiny.

You can jump start a Ford 6-volt/positive ground system with a 12 volt battery, but know how to do it safely and correctly. ALWAYS ensure the transmission is in NEUTRAL because otherwise it will start with a jump even if in gear as you are bypassing the Safety Neutral Switch. It is also wise to stay out of the path just in case it does slip into gear when jolted. I just read a recent story of a lady who was killed while sitting in a lawn chair by a tractor her husband was attempting to jumps start and it was evidently in gear because as soon as it started it rammed forward and pinned her to death instantly.

If your 6-volt battery is over 5 years old, and is a cheap brand, chances are it lost its life a while ago. Average life based on personal experience of the cheaper brand batteries is about 2 years. I suggest you take the battery in to your trusty, local starter/alternator shop and have them bench test it with the proper equipment. It must sustain a charge under load and a weak or discharged battery will not have enough amps to turn the engine over. Some franchise auto parts suppliers also can test batteries too, but I'm not sure some know how. If it doesn't involve a computer, many millenniums don't know what to do or how to work it.

Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)

*9N653I* & *8NI55I3*

I agree that I would try to start it by touching the starter with a 12v battery, using all of the safety precautions mentioned in this thread. But, you must have enough voltage left in the 6v battery to fire the plugs using the starter switch on "on" position in order to start it. Get the 6v battery charged and then use the 12v battery on the starter to turn it over.

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Wouldn't hurt. Make sure any add water is distilled or de-ionized. Do not use tap water!

Ok - it sounds like I've got 2 options
1 - jump start by placing negative lead from 12 volt booster battery directly on starter terminal. Touch positive lead to tractor chassis. Assume the hookup is due to the positive ground? Also ensure trans in neutral (don't want to get run over by tractor)

2 - pull tractor and release clutch.

Before all of this should I check the water level in battery and add if necessary?

Thanks

Yes, but it doesn't matter which lead you put on the starter and which lead you touch to ground. Starter doesn't care about polarity!

.........but, for the safety of all, it should be noted that phil(va)'s statement is somewhat tractor specific & while correct here, does not apply to all tractors.

Can also get a 6/12 volt battery charger and use the 6v selection to charge or jump or start the tractor, depending how much you spend on it.

Paul

With key switch on and tractor secured so it can't possibly move, place negative lead from 12 volt booster battery directly on starter terminal. Touch positive lead to tractor chassis.

If it's not a Select-O-Speed you can also tow start it;

Simple, use your 12V booster pack or booster cables from your truck, but attach the negative to the starter lug and then the positive to the bolt where your exhaust elbow bolts on. The starter does not care a lick whether it is getting 6 or 12 volts.