My Diesel Fordson Super Major TBH won't start. Here's what I think I know.
What it does: Turns slowly for maybe one turn of the fan, sometimes less than one turn. Then it stops, and when you stop it rolls back slightly.
Tractor was shut down normally after having run it for maybe an hour that day. Did not notice anything unusual the last time it was running (other than power steering fluid was very low -- filled reservoir.) Came back next day, tractor would not start.
What I've done so far:
1. Replaced battery recently. Last one made it 10 years, new one is a month old. Tractor was running and starting fine since battery was replaced. Battery voltage is 12.9 V before starting. It's a big battery, commercial scale from Autozone.
2. Replaced starter. Same effect.
3. Removed hydraulic pump on the front of the crankshaft. Just to make sure it's not froze up. No difference in starting.
4. Removed power steering pump to make sure it's not froze up. Not much difference, maybe turns just a bit easier, hard to say?
5. Tried jumping it from another battery, just in case. No difference.
6. Tractor has decompression lever. It is in the down position. I raised it and put it back (to verify it's not froze or anything), but didn't try starting it with lever up. Have never used it, only recently learned what it is for.
7. Pulling the tractor is not really an option. Has loader on it that is down, and hoe is down too. Plus, I don't have much space.
In conclusion, the crankshaft rotates so the engine does not seemed to be seized. But it's really hard to rotate it, either by hand or by the starter.
What should I do next? Thanks in advance for your help. Really appreciate it. I've her for about 2.5 years, so I'm definitely still learning.
What it does: Turns slowly for maybe one turn of the fan, sometimes less than one turn. Then it stops, and when you stop it rolls back slightly.
Tractor was shut down normally after having run it for maybe an hour that day. Did not notice anything unusual the last time it was running (other than power steering fluid was very low -- filled reservoir.) Came back next day, tractor would not start.
What I've done so far:
1. Replaced battery recently. Last one made it 10 years, new one is a month old. Tractor was running and starting fine since battery was replaced. Battery voltage is 12.9 V before starting. It's a big battery, commercial scale from Autozone.
2. Replaced starter. Same effect.
3. Removed hydraulic pump on the front of the crankshaft. Just to make sure it's not froze up. No difference in starting.
4. Removed power steering pump to make sure it's not froze up. Not much difference, maybe turns just a bit easier, hard to say?
5. Tried jumping it from another battery, just in case. No difference.
6. Tractor has decompression lever. It is in the down position. I raised it and put it back (to verify it's not froze or anything), but didn't try starting it with lever up. Have never used it, only recently learned what it is for.
7. Pulling the tractor is not really an option. Has loader on it that is down, and hoe is down too. Plus, I don't have much space.
In conclusion, the crankshaft rotates so the engine does not seemed to be seized. But it's really hard to rotate it, either by hand or by the starter.
What should I do next? Thanks in advance for your help. Really appreciate it. I've her for about 2.5 years, so I'm definitely still learning.