WD45 second step.

Masseyharrisnut · Jan 16, 2023

Pushed the WD45 in the garage with the skid steer. Drained the oil, pulled plugs and put oil in the cylinders, took the carb and air cleaner off and disassembled the carb and cleaned it. Reinstalled carb, and checked the plug gap and went to check the points and found that someone has put electronic ignition on it. Still on the fence as to whether thats better than points and condenser, Im not convinced. New oil and filter and put a 12 volt battery on it as it has been converted to an alternator. About 4 hours time into it and pulled the starter lever and it fired up right away. Awesome. Now for the first question. What style of ignition key does the WD45 use. I assume they where all the same back then and I may have one in my collection of keys. Also in the one picture Im told the serial number should be by the left hand brake cover but could not find one. Thanks for now.

rustred · Jan 16, 2023

the serial number is on that flat spot facing the rear. yep smart guy to oil cylinders before starting. and the key i just dont remember, it is kinda a smaller key. dont have mine to check it. would have been the same on all tractors. just like the ih 60 series all the same key. so she is ready for a workout now. good stuff!

Bill(Wis) · Jan 16, 2023

It's on the vertical portion of the differential housing right below the left brake cover. Just start at the rear bolt hole for the brake cover in your photo and come right straight back over the edge and you'll find it down a few inches but dont expect it to jump out at you. You might have to scrub off dirt, paint, rust, etc., and maybe do the old pencil trick or chalk to find it. It will start with WD and make no mention of ''45''.

Steve@Advance · Jan 16, 2023

Unless you are going for a period correct show tractor, you will be ahead to keep the electronic conversion.

The points and condensers sold today are not the same quality as the past.

Masseyharrisnut · Jan 16, 2023

Thats a good point Steve. Thank you.

Masseyharrisnut · Jan 16, 2023

I will check that out. I thought it was on the top side. Thanks you Bill.

Masseyharrisnut · Jan 16, 2023

Hi rustred. Ive got some other stuff to do on it like check for water in the trans/diff and hydraulic system. Thanks for your help and I will post more as I progress.

PJH · Jan 16, 2023

I can remember the D-15 having an ignition key. There were three WD/WD45's on the farm that I worked on, and they all three had push/pull ignition switches.

Masseyharrisnut · Jan 16, 2023

This one has a key switch and it looks like it has always been like that. Cant find anything in the parts section of the manual about a key. Thanks for your help.

Rich'sToys · Jan 16, 2023

Is your key switch on the bottom side of that box where the ammeter is? That's where it was on the one we had. What they were thinking when they put it there I'll never know!

Masseyharrisnut · Jan 16, 2023

Yes it is Rich. Looks to me like an engineer forgot about it originally so they just stuck it there. Not real handy.

Bob Bancroft · Jan 17, 2023

The original key said Briggs and Stratton on it. I can't remember the number. A few years back, you could still get something similar, but maybe had to buy the switch. I think it said Strattec on it.

The WD with magneto had a push/pull switch on top next to the light/charge switch. The WD45 with battery ignition had the key switch underneath. I was told that was so water wouldn't get in it.

showcrop · Jan 17, 2023

Did you do any pre-lube? Like perhaps cranking with ignition off?

Masseyharrisnut · Jan 17, 2023

Yes sir I did. Cranked it over till there was oil pressure on the gauge and then about 30 or 40 seconds more.

Masseyharrisnut · Jan 17, 2023

Thanks for that Bob. My parts WD45 has the magneto ignition on it.

Bud Sather in MT · Jan 17, 2023

My key is a toggle switch. There is a rod to the starter to start it.

Bill(Wis) · Jan 17, 2023

WD45s had coil and disributer ignition systems. No factory installation of a magneto on any WD45s. I suspect you have a WD that maybe someone applied a WD45 decal to? The WDs used magnetos through serial #136617. WD45s start at serial #146607. The serial number stamped on the rear diff starts with ''WD'' whether it's a WD or WD45.

showcrop · Jan 17, 2023

(quoted from post at 07:56:50 01/17/23) Yes sir I did. Cranked it over till there was oil pressure on the gauge and then about 30 or 40 seconds more.

Do you feel the pat on the back?

Masseyharrisnut · Jan 17, 2023

Yes I do showcrop. Thank you.

Masseyharrisnut · Jan 17, 2023

This one has a key switch without the key of course and a pull lever to activate the starter.

WD45 second step.

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