720 Stater

I have a 1958 John Deere 720 and the starter will not engage. Tried
my best to clean it out. Will attach pictures. Starter button goes down
about 3/4 and inch and won?t go further. Any suggestions welcome.

Here are pictures:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r1xaoNB2uN8V50wcqiCMvhzSC9y5-DdK/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HC0Lu4qENcxnqa6mb0tZFOvQ4CC4FjzD/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g-CQ670hd6y8yG4yO5DwEkFRxXpCNM-L/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QtF_8HFyqAxrnkyt3CReGEqtj-TtSERb/view?usp=sharing

Linkage may need attention or adjusting

(quoted from post at 21:18:59 05/17/19) I have a 1958 John Deere 720 and the starter will not engage. Tried
my best to clean it out. Will attach pictures. Starter button goes down
about 3/4 and inch and won?t go further. Any suggestions welcome.

Click to expand...

In this photo, it looks like the starter drive has been shoved to the end of it's travel, and the starter switch should be making contact, running the starter.

If the battery is fully charged, and all connections are good, likely the starter switch is worn/arced away and not making contact, or there's an internal problem in the starter.

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]the starter will not engage[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Check the end of the battery ground cable where it is bolted to the frame.

Make sure it is making good connection with "clean" metal.

Using a test light, check the end of the cable connected to the starter switch on the starting motor for a good connection.


If the light shines, then the ground cable and power cable are making good connections.

[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]<font color="#ff0000">CAUTION: Please be mindful of common safety steps; expressed or not.[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>

Before you begin this troubleshooting method, make sure of the following:

[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Lock both brakes.

Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.

Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.

Remove the coil wire from both the coil and distributor.

Turn the gas off at the fuel filter.[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]

If there is power at the starter switch, then push the button to engage the starting motor.

If the starting motor engages, then check and/or adjust the starting motor pedal and linkage.

After checking and/or adjusting the starting motor pedal and linkage, then push the starter pedal.

If the starting motor does NOT engage, then remove the starter switch and check for wear on the copper contact.


If the copper contact is severely worn on the edge, then it may not be making a good connection with the stud terminal on the starting motor.

Inspect the stud terminal on the starting motor.


If the stud terminal is severely worn, then it may not be making a good connection with the starter switch on the starting motor.

You might consider replacing one or both if they are severely worn.

Hope this helps.

Starter Motor was bad. Took it to shop to see if it can be repaired. Clean contacts and such. Thanks for help everyone!