I have a 1972 Ford 4400 industrial tractor with a 3 cylinder Perkins that I use on our property
for driveway maintenance and snow clearing. I have owned this tractor for almost 5 years
and it is always (and I do mean always) difficult to start - often either clicks like the battery is
weak or the starter "clunks" like the motor is bound up if I just turn the key. I have a new
1300 cca battery that I put in this fall (2nd time I have replaced battery) and even with the
new battery (and the block heater plugged in for 30 minutes if under 40/45 degrees) I still
always need to connect my 1500 amp jump pack to get the engine to turn over with any kind
of real effort. Why is it requiring so much battery? Is the starter wearing out? Do I have a
short? Once I hook up the jump pack and a decent battery it will start and it runs really nice
with excellent power, but the whole starting ritual is a major headache I would like to solve.
for driveway maintenance and snow clearing. I have owned this tractor for almost 5 years
and it is always (and I do mean always) difficult to start - often either clicks like the battery is
weak or the starter "clunks" like the motor is bound up if I just turn the key. I have a new
1300 cca battery that I put in this fall (2nd time I have replaced battery) and even with the
new battery (and the block heater plugged in for 30 minutes if under 40/45 degrees) I still
always need to connect my 1500 amp jump pack to get the engine to turn over with any kind
of real effort. Why is it requiring so much battery? Is the starter wearing out? Do I have a
short? Once I hook up the jump pack and a decent battery it will start and it runs really nice
with excellent power, but the whole starting ritual is a major headache I would like to solve.