ALL FORD TRACTORS are great workhorses and offer years of faithful service when given the respect they deserve. How often do you run your tractor? Less than or more than 30 days? Have the battery tested first, and then invest in a Battery Float Charger (Battery Tender Jr. -see below). You van also jump start a 6V battery with your 12V car or truck battery when done the correct way. You don't need to keep dragging the tractor around the yard and you have the power right there at your use. You need a strong battery to:
1. Spin the starter
2. Engage the Bendix
3. Provide voltage to the coil.
Tips on battery care and performance:
As the battery gets weaker, the first thing to fail is your spark. The more current you use to spin the starter, the less you have for the ignition. It doesn't really matter much if the battery is "fully charged" until you test it correctly. 4 Volts is an almost dead unit. Bench test under load and specific gravity must be tested. Your trusty local starter/alternator shop can bench test it on their special machine, usually at no charge –no pun intended. No matter what else you do, the battery must be fully charged and capable of sustaining a full charge under load. Simply connecting a battery charger is not going to do anything if specific gravity is weak or dead. Cheap brands are prone to poor lifespans. The TSC and Wally World ones are the worst. 7 years is a good run for a 6V battery, 10/12 even better. Briefly in a nutshell, you want a GP-1 6V AG battery -no Deep Cycle or RV/Golf Cart types. GRP 25 or 35 for a 12V. I suggest you invest in one of the better brands. Those would be DEKA, INTERSTATE, EAST PENN/DURACELL, or EXIDE. Get at least a 550-750 CCA with the average cost at about $125.
A fully charged 6v battery should read about 6.3 - 6.6 volts. In order to get that charge level, your v/r must allow 7.2 volts to the battery. Specific gravity should be 1.24 - 1.28 on each cell. A hydrometer is used but your shop has the machine to test under load. Battery cables are important too. 6V cables are thick as your thumb due to current used and the ground is a braided flat strap. 12V battery cables are like your car or truck –smaller gauge.
Clean all the grounds & the battery posts. 6V mantra: Clean, bright, and tight.
A float charger is VERY helpful; and NOT a trickle charger, but a float charger, like the DELTRAN Battery Tender Jr.® ™. It is a popular brand, available at Walmart, $30. A battery charger, even a "trickle" charger, left unattended will eventually boil out a battery. Connect the battery Tender to your battery when the tractor is idle for periods over a week. Maintains a full charge for when you need it most. Don’t think just because you put your battery on a charger it is good. The constant draining and recharging I the cause of battery life depleting.
BATTERY TENDER JR (6V) BY DELTRAN:
Get the ESSENTIAL MANUALS. OEM OWNER MANUAL, '53-'59 MOC, and I&T FO-19 Manual. Read religiously.
FORD OEM NAA TRACTOR OWNER MANUAL:
CLYMER/I&T FO-19 SHOP REPAIR MANUAL – FORD NAA ’53-’54:
FORD TRACTOR 1939-1953 MPC:
FORD TRACTOR 1953-1959 MASTER PARTS CATALOG:
Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)
