2140 starting

rusty6 · Oct 27, 2020

More on the John Deere 2140 starter. I decided to re-install the starter, re-locate the ground cable and keep the single big diesel battery to test. Maybe it was just that it was a warmer day, got up to 40 degrees, but it started as good as it did in summer. With a little shot of ether of course. But cranking speed was better than the video from a few days ago.
I sort of rushed through the job as I got a phone call that sent me off on another project which required the 2140 and front end loader. Just a short update video of it here. Hopefully I'll get another start test done when its colder and decide if I need to go back to the two battery system.

2140 Starts Oct 27

SVcummins · Oct 27, 2020

I just swapped out a 1/0 cable on my tractor for a 2/0 cost me 50$ but it was worth it already starts better going to swap the other one out as quick as i get a chance to.

rusty6 · Oct 27, 2020

(quoted from post at 21:07:45 10/27/20) I just swapped out a 1/0 cable on my tractor for a 2/0 cost me 50$ but it was worth it already starts better going to swap the other one out as quick as i get a chance to.

Are you saying a 2/0 cable is heavier than a 1/0? I really don't understand those cable guage numbers. I know they recommended getting the heavier cables for my six volt system on the 52 Merc.

Dopp Creek · Oct 27, 2020

Yes 2/0 is larger than 1/0. I replaced the 4 gauge (not 4/0, which is as big as my finger) battery cables on my 6 volt Allis Chalmers CA with 2/0. Made it
spin like new but it was expensive, roughly a dollar an inch.

SVcummins · Oct 28, 2020

Here’s a size chart . Bigger is better i had thought of going to
3/0 three ot but that might be a bit overkill

deeretails · Oct 28, 2020

Sometimes used welding cable can be found cheap, it works great and very flexible.

rusty6 · Oct 28, 2020

(quoted from post at 03:15:05 10/28/20) Sometimes used welding cable can be found cheap, it works great and very flexible.

I was thinking that too but the used welding cable I have here is so old and cracked up it would not be usable. I did make up a set of booster cables years ago using new welder cable and clamps. I don't recall the price of the cable at the time but it was heavy cable.

Tech 7 · Oct 28, 2020

I have never been a fan of the single battery replacing two batteries. However, utilizing a destroking screw on the main hydraulic pump makes a significant reduction in load of the starter. That tractor should also have a manifold heater which is more engine friendly than ether

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 28, 2020

(quoted from post at 07:07:24 10/28/20) I have never been a fan of the single battery replacing two batteries.

What is your reasoning?

If you replace two batteries with a single battery of equivalent or greater CCA capacity, you eliminate half the connections, can use shorter battery cables, eliminate the problem of one battery going bad killing both (in a parallel configuration). Fewer points of failure, less complexity.

A common misunderstanding is how things "add together" in a dual battery configuration.

1. If you are using two 6V batteries to make 12V, that is a series configuration. Only VOLTAGE adds up. Two 850CCA 6V batteries in series gives you 850CCA at 12V.

2. If you are using two 12V batteries to make 12V, that is a parallel configuration. Only CCA adds up. Two 450CCA 12V batteries in parallel gives you 900CCA at 12V.

buickanddeere · Oct 28, 2020

Two group 78s in parallel have more cranking amps than a single group 31 . Mother Deere Put two batteries in those
Tractors for a reason .
Why are you using ether ?
2nd the motion on the destroker.

rusty6 · Oct 28, 2020

(quoted from post at 07:07:24 10/28/20) I have never been a fan of the single battery replacing two batteries. However, utilizing a destroking screw on the main hydraulic pump makes a significant reduction in load of the starter. That tractor should also have a manifold heater which is more engine friendly than ether

My thoughts on that are, "if it works, its ok". I've started my old Massey Perkins diesel tractor all year round on a single twelve volt for 25 years. Doing the same on the 730 Case but it does not get used in winter. Manifold heater helps big time on the Case but it was not an option on the John Deere as far as I know. On the Massey the block heater is necessary once temp gets down to the 20s. If that engine will turn over, it will start.

buickanddeere · Oct 28, 2020

Intake manifold heater for both the early and late 40 series .
There is also an optional electric fuel filter heater .

rusty6 · Oct 28, 2020

(quoted from post at 07:39:40 10/28/20)
Two group 78s in parallel have more cranking amps than a single group 31 . Mother Deere Put two batteries in those
Tractors for a reason .
Why are you using ether ?
2nd the motion on the destroker.

Yes, I have no doubt two batteries provide extra cranking power when its cold but most of the time one is more than enough.
Why I use ether is pretty simple. The tractor would not start below freezing without it. Normally I try to plan my cold starts so I have a couple of hours of plug in time on the block heater to make easy starting in the cold. When I need the tractor right away and can't wait two hours, I'll give it a little shot of ether to save wearing out the battery and starter.
Interesting to see there is a manifold heating option for the 2140. Last tractors I saw with that was my 730 Case. And yes, that makes a world of difference on cold starts.

SVcummins · Oct 28, 2020

Some one had 4 gauge cables on that tractor?

txdutchman · Oct 28, 2020

(quoted from post at 13:12:55 10/28/20)

(quoted from post at 07:39:40 10/28/20)
Two group 78s in parallel have more cranking amps than a single group 31 . Mother Deere Put two batteries in those
Tractors for a reason .
Why are you using ether ?
2nd the motion on the destroker.

Click to expand...

Yes, I have no doubt two batteries provide extra cranking power when its cold but most of the time one is more than enough.
Why I use ether is pretty simple. The tractor would not start below freezing without it. Normally I try to plan my cold starts so I have a couple of hours of plug in time on the block heater to make easy starting in the cold. When I need the tractor right away and can't wait two hours, I'll give it a little shot of ether to save wearing out the battery and starter.
Interesting to see there is a manifold heating option for the 2140. Last tractors I saw with that was my 730 Case. And yes, that makes a world of difference on cold starts.

Invest in some good batteries and cables. Throw away the ether can and you'll thank me later. Ether is bad for engines!!
Cat C9 engines have manifold heaters.

rusty6 · Oct 28, 2020

(quoted from post at 18:15:16 10/28/20)

(quoted from post at 13:12:55 10/28/20)

Invest in some good batteries and cables. Throw away the ether can and you'll thank me later. Ether is bad for engines!!
Cat C9 engines have manifold heaters.

Click to expand...

I've never been a big fan of starting fluid (ether). Could probably count on one hand the number of cans I've used in fifty years. But once in a while it is necessary. Given a choice I'll plug in the block heater instead. The old Perkins diesel starts fine at -20F on just one battery as long as it has been plugged in for an hour or so.

caterpillar guy · Oct 29, 2020

Rusty Try turning the steering wheel back an forth while turning it over It should start easier as it relieves the pressure on the pump while starting. My brother starts his 2940 with a single grp31 battery. We also convert the cables to the eyelet ends to fit on the stud top style battery. Less cleaning and fussing.

buickanddeere · Oct 29, 2020

Why not install a destroker instead of going wiggle wiggle on the steering wheel ?

rusty6 · Oct 29, 2020

(quoted from post at 05:41:36 10/29/20)
Why not install a destroker instead of going wiggle wiggle on the steering wheel ?

If I can get the same results by turning the steering wheel at no cost or work of installation then thats reason enough for me. In fact I wondered if anybody noticed me doing that in the video. I think it was on this forum where I learned the steering wheel trick and it does seem to help cranking speed. I don't know anything about a "destroker"

Tx Jim · Oct 29, 2020

(quoted from post at 07:41:36 10/29/20)
Why not install a destroker instead of going wiggle wiggle on the steering wheel ?

Wiggie Wiggie of steering wheel doesn't cost anything!!.

buickanddeere · Oct 29, 2020

(quoted from post at 10:09:06 10/29/20)

(quoted from post at 07:41:36 10/29/20)
Why not install a destroker instead of going wiggle wiggle on the steering wheel ?

Click to expand...

Wiggie Wiggie of steering wheel doesn't cost anything!!.

If you can not afford a destroker and its superior performance . You have bigger problems than a tractor that wont
Start .

Tx Jim · Oct 29, 2020

(quoted from post at 11:15:22 10/29/20)

If you can not afford a destroker and its superior performance . You have bigger problems than a tractor that wont
Start .

You have yet to prove destroking valve makes engine starting any more superior performance than wiggling steering wheel from side to side.

I think you have no experience with the oil leak that can be created by installing/utilizing a destroking screw!!

buickanddeere · Oct 29, 2020

Had a destroker on the 1640 for 13 years now . Doesnt
Leak if snugged down . Hydraulic system is not
Loading the starter at all while cranking .

rusty6 · Oct 29, 2020

(quoted from post at 16:59:22 10/29/20)
Had a destroker on the 1640 for 13 years now . Doesnt
Leak if snugged down . Hydraulic system is not
Loading the starter at all while cranking .

Can anybody explain how this destroker works, where it goes, what it looks like? This is the first place I can recall ever hearing of such a thing.

Tx Jim · Oct 30, 2020

De-stroking screw which once came in a kit must be purchased as individual parts cost of about $25 USD. To utilize for starting one must screw
tee handle down(CW) to open stroke control valve so pump can't build pressure, start engine then turn tee handle up(CCW) to it's limit allowing
stroke control valve to close allowing pump to build hyd pressure.

In order to get correct DS screw one needs to know which hyd pump your tractor has.

Rusty have you ever attempted to start your tractor when rapidly turning steering wheel back & forth while turning ign switch to start position?
If not try it it won't hurt anything.

rusty6 · Oct 30, 2020

Thanks for the explanation and picture. Yes, I did the steering wheel wiggle in the video while starting. I figured somebody was going to question why I was doing that but so far nobody has. Guess its standard procedure for John Deere owners.

Tx Jim · Oct 30, 2020

(quoted from post at 10:10:07 10/30/20) Guess its standard procedure for John Deere owners.

Yes Sir
I was instructed back in the mid to late 1960's to move steering wheel back & forth while attempting to start JD tractors with closed center hyd's.

2140 starting

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