24Volt 4010

2520-4010 · Feb 27, 2009

I'm restoring my dad's 61 4010. It's been converted to 12V by my ex-bil. I'm wondering if it would be feasible to return it to 24Volt.

I remember sitting down to eat dinner one day when I was younger; the whole family started smelling smoke. We looked out the window and the 4010 was smoking. It hadn't moved in a week. I don't remember what it was, but I seem to remember this seemed to be a problem with 24v 4010s.

I have a 24 v generator and the regulator is still on the tractor. I think all I would have to have is a 24 volt starter.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

tim s · Feb 27, 2009

The only reason to put it back to 24 volt would be to keep it original,,if your going to use it keep it 12 volt,,I think 24 volt is "BAD", but thats personal,,I have changed about all of them in this area over to 12 volt( a bunch of them)..

2520-4010 · Feb 27, 2009

If I decide to go 12v, I will have to buy a newer model fuel gauge (for a 4020) right? Anything else, or is it too complicated to go into on a message board.

I would like the tractor to look original. So I would use two 12 volt batteries parallel? And a 12 volt generator?

jdjerry · Feb 28, 2009

I like the 24 volt system for cranking power. I live in the northern part of the USA and some times it is -0 when hauling hay and it is to far away to drive the tractor home at night. The 24 volt system will crank. It took me a while to figure out how it was wired but I would never change it over. I do have a battery disconnect in one of the cables that I use all the time to keep it from shorting out the starter like when your tractor was smoking. Your gauges and lights are all 12 volt. Nothig needs changing there.
If it was me and it was changed over to 12 volt I would leave it as is. My 4010 and 4020 both have 24 volt from the factory. For the factory look you would need a gen. instead of a alt.for your 4010.

John Heine · Feb 28, 2009

I have 4010D I would never change it to 12 volts.Has more cranking power.I have the breaker kit John Deere put on them never had much trouble with it.I had tractor 30 years.

skip33652 · Feb 28, 2009

I have a 24 volt starter I would trade for your 12. I think I still have the generator as well will throw in as well.It was off my 4010.Paul

ET · Feb 28, 2009

I would stay with the 24 volt system. If it has the curcut breaker kit installed and the jumper cable and fuse wire installed between the batteries instead of two ground cables to the frame. It is a better system in for cold weather starting. The main problem with them is the higher voltage systems have a natural tendancy to atract moisture and this leads the high resistance in the system conections. If those clamp on battery cable ends that farmers love are used there will be a low voltage problem and 24 volt starters die fast with low voltage. The insrument panel and lights on a 24 volt system are all 12 volt half with a pos. ground and half with a neg. ground. The fuel gauge is pos. ground I think and that is the problem when the system is changed to 12v negative ground.

tim s · Feb 28, 2009

I am sure that a "good" well maitained 12 volt system will start just as good as a 24 volt system will,,with-out the nasty side effects, like frying battery post,and wire harness's,one battery running down the other one not,,trying to find a pos.ground radio, and of course trying to use a monitoring system with it...When I change them over I do a 'complete' and clean conversion,fuel gauge and all,I have never had any one disappointed with the conversion..

alabamafrog · Feb 28, 2009

My vote is to keep it 24v, IF you know have a basic understanding of electrical systems then there are no differences in problems with the 24v or the 12v.
Dads 4010 and 4020 are both still factory 24V and still work great with no problems at all. And there are no issues with radios or monitors or anything else. Nothing wrong with the 12v system either but you still need 2 batteries to provide enough amps to turn a cold diesel so in my opinion there is nothing to gain.

Oh, and I really like using battery disconnects on everything with a battery.

tim s · Feb 28, 2009

I have a wheel barrow full of 24 volt starters and gen.,I'll trade them all for 12 long neck Budweiser's ..

61-4010 · Feb 28, 2009

I think the biggest issue with the 24v systems lies in the lack of knowledge/understanding as to how they work.

First, get yourself a good schematic of the 24v system and even better - - the service manual. Then study it and learn how it works.

As noted, make sure that you get the circuit breaker kit and make sure that your wiring is in great shape. I"m very particular about making sure connections are tight, nothing is rubbing to expose wires, things are kept grease/oil free, etc. These things should be done regardless if you have a 12v or 24v system.

On my 4010D, I have kept my 24v system and wouldn"t trade it for anything. It cranks better/strong/faster than any 12v system I have. Makes starting it in cold weather a snap.

2520-4010 · Feb 28, 2009

Thanks for all the feedback! You guys are really helping; but I still haven't made up my mind. The wiring harness is in bad shape so I'm going to get a schematic and try to figure out what I'll need. May need one of those 24v starters, not sure yet.

Again, thanks alot!

mlauk · Mar 2, 2009

Alabamafrog, what type of battery disconnect do you use on your 4020 and where is it located? There isn't much room around the battery terminal. Picture would be nice. Thanks

alabamafrog · Mar 2, 2009

The new gen tractors aren’t mine, they are dads, He has modified the battery boxes on them to fit a regular square automotive truck battery, he puts these type disconnects on all of his stuff; They are around $5 at walmart

mlauk · Mar 3, 2009

Thanks, I've been wanting to add one to my 4020.

24Volt 4010

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jdjerry

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John Heine

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tim s

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