starting my tractor

Hi everyone. I couldn't get my 1939 JD H started right away today. Gas on. Full choke. Partial throttle. I really struggled with this. To the point where I had to rest. Finally started after it seemed like forever. I've seen video's on starting these tractors manually and I followed what I saw.
I even pulled a spark plug thinking it was fouled. Nope. Just carbon. No signs of fuel. Finally, for whatever reasons, it started. Drove it around the yard for a while and then it stalled when I tried 3rd gear. Pushed back into the garage. More effort and it started again. Am I doing something wrong?? I can;t go through this every time I want to start this tractor. Thanks for any suggestions or idea's, Nicholas C.

You might consider checking the timing on the No. 1 (flywheel side) cylinder.

To prevent the tractor from accidentally starting:

Remove the spark plug cable from the No. 2 spark plug.



Make sure the gas is turned off.

Lock both brakes.

Transmission should be in neutral and the hand clutch should be disengaged.

This is one method of checking the timing.

Remove the No. 1 spark plug on the flywheel side.



Place your finger over the hole and rotate the flywheel in the running direction (counter-clockwise) until you feel pressure (compression) of air in the cylinder.

Continue rotating the flywheel counter-clockwise slowly until the [b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]L. H. IMPULSE[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0] mark on the flywheel lines up with the reference mark on the gear cover.



Loosen the two cap screws securing the magneto.

Tap the top of the magneto toward the rear of the tractor a little at a time until the impulse trips.



Tighten the cap screws and continue rotating the flywheel counter-clockwise until you see a spark at full pressure (compression) for No. 1 cylinder.



Hope this helps.

This is the method used to start [b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Uncle Earl[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0] our 39 B.

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The uncle Earl I used to know would only start with a bottle of Jack Daniels. Maybe a John Deer is different.

Did you check fuel flow from petcock on bottom of carburetor? Also I would see how big of gap the spark will jump as it could be weak. Lastly my H had cracks around the center stud in block this was allowing just a little coolant into cylinders, starts great after it was repaired.

Could the bolts holding the mag worked loose enough to let it slip and getting the timing off? With the work you were doing could it have worked back rnough it started and running vibration worked ot out of time again?

On my 39 H I put it on full choke and throttle just barely starting to open the butterfly. Any more throttle and you can crank all day without a pop. I know that theyre all different but maybe worth a try.

Thank you everyone. I appreciate all the input and help. I happen to think it's something I'm not doing correctly. I believe the timing, magneto, etc. are all fine. I watched the previous owner start it with no problem and the engine was cold. He only spun the flywheel 3-4 times from what I recall. I think I have to leave it on full choke longer. I might get a little impatient with it. I thought the plugs might be fouled from fuel, but they weren't. Not sure how long it takes for the fuel bowl to fill up once the fuel is turned on?? I'll review some more video's and try to learn the little characteristics of starting this tractor. Have to admit, I really enjoyed driving the tractor on my property in 1st gear. Very relaxing. I just have to figure how how to start it, Nicholas C.

I think every tractor has it's own best way to start. On my G I put it on 1/2 throttle and full choke.I open petcock on bottom of carb after turning fuel on to make sure fuel is flowing. I generally roll( not spin) flywheel a couple turns and it will pop. If I catch it quick enough and get it to 1/2 choke it will start. Otherwise put at 1/2 choke and it starts. As I said each one seems to have it's own best way. Once you figure out what that is it will start easy.

If you have dry plugs after cranking it over three times with full choke the carb is running too lean for some reason. Either you arent getting enough fuel to the carb or more likely the idle circuit has a problem. When it does run does it idle down real nice or do you have to have the throttle part way open to keep it going? If it if will not idle down without dieing either the idle circuit is plugged or set too lean or it has a vacuum leak. Are the valves adjusted OK? A leaking intake valve will let compression to blow back into the carb and mess up the fuel mixture.

(quoted from post at 16:16:29 05/05/22) Thank you everyone. I appreciate all the input and help. I happen to think it's something I'm not doing correctly. I believe the timing, magneto, etc. are all fine. I watched the previous owner start it with no problem and the engine was cold. He only spun the flywheel 3-4 times from what I recall. I think I have to leave it on full choke longer. I might get a little impatient with it. I thought the plugs might be fouled from fuel, but they weren't. Not sure how long it takes for the fuel bowl to fill up once the fuel is turned on?? I'll review some more video's and try to learn the little characteristics of starting this tractor. Have to admit, I really enjoyed driving the tractor on my property in 1st gear. Very relaxing. I just have to figure how how to start it, Nicholas C.

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You are right! After all that turning with no start, if you had fuel flowing the plug that you removed would have been wet.

My H sat outside for a time. It has a starter but had no battery when I got it but was so easy to start I never bothered getting it working. With the mag timed properly I could roll it slowly with a little choke and when #1 tripped the mag it would take off. Rarely did it require repeated attempts. Even if it sat for a few weeks I could just roll it with the crank and when it tripped it would run two or three revs just on the vapors. I'll add one step to Mr. Howell's instruction. Roll the magneto forward some before rolling the crank into position. It it's already timed too late you will not get the impulse to trip. And I always timed it to trip at TDC. The LH In[ulse mark is the running advance which is built into the magneto.

anyway to contact the previous owner and ask him what worked the best ?

If the previous owner could start it with ease, definitely don't mess with anything.

You have to get to know the tractor, learn what it "likes." Every tractor is a little bit different. Some like choke until it's running. Some will start with no choke. Ideally you have the procedure from the previous owner, but barring that you have to play with it and figure it out.

The hard starting would be a different problem than dieing Hard starting would not make it die when shifting so find something differen that way to start when putting in 3rd gear. Starting procidure would not affect the dieing when shifting gears. Most answers are missing big problem and that is dieing when trying to move and not the starting problem.

Hi everyone. Certainly some good suggestions here. Thank you. I went out to the garage this afternoon and after recalling some of these threads, decided to try a few different things to start my tractor. Cracked open the throttle about 1/3 and full choke after turning on the gas. Turned it over 3-4 times, nothing. Just cracked the throttle a little and no choke. Maybe 2-3 turns and it popped. Made a few adjustments and it started. I think it likes to have the throttle opened slightly and no choke. I thought that was very unusual seeing how it's a completely cold engine. Once it started and idled, I gave it a little more throttle and some choke. Once I got the rpm's to where I liked, I opened the choke all the way. I'm going to try this method again tomorrow and see what happens. As mentioned in a thread, these tractors are individual and have their own little quirkiness to them. It's just finding what that is. I did learn that you really have to have patience in warming these up, at least mine, before moving it. The previous owner also told me this.
As a little side note, I bought a repair manual and parts book for my tractor. I always like to learn about them, how they work, before I bother anyone. I was interested in the carb. adjustment. The manual outlined this procedure real well. If I understand it, you know it's simple. At this time, I don't have an interest in adjusting the carb. I just want to drive the tractor, have fun with it, and we'll see where this takes me. Many thanks to all, Nicholas C.

I was in the garage earlier today and tried starting the tractor. About the same effort as yesterday. I thought maybe I found a sweet spot in it, but not really sure. I know my arm is getting tired. It did finally start and I let it warm up. A few days ago, I ordered and received a shop manual and parts catalog. I read several times on how to adjust the carb. I did this and I'd like to think this will help with the starting process. Mine will start with the throttle slightly cracked open but doesn't like to idle initially at all. IDK, I just happen to think it's not getting the gas it needs. But then again, it will make an effort to start with the choke open. I see rebuilding kits are available for these carbs. and I'm considering doing this,but not right away. I want to enjoy this tractor for the time being, Nicholas C.
BTW, these guys on Youtube sure make it look easy starting these tractors. I'm sure I'll eventually be fine also after figuring out what it likes.