Ferguson TO-30 pos or neg ground?

[nepa]

I just bought a decent TO-30. The specs say that is has a positive ground off the 6 volt battery. The tractor I just bought has negative gounding. The engine starts well. Is this possible?

 

[workinonit]

I guess someone could have converted it though I'm not sure why they would go to that trouble and not make it a 12VDC system as well.

 

[nepa]

I guess someone could have converted it though I'm not sure why they would go to that trouble and not make it a 12VDC system as well.

Very true. But am I right that with the polarity reversed it will not start?

 

[Dmacleo]

Very true. But am I right that with the polarity reversed it will not start?

are you looking to convert BACK to positive ground to keep in specs?
cause your first post specifically said it starts well.
been years since I worked a + grd but IIRC biggest issue was alternator/generator.

 

[John0829]

Tractor doesn't care if it is positive or negative ground the only component that will care is the charging system. If it still has a generator then you can polarize it for positive ground, if it has an alternator then it probably has been converted to 12v and it needs to stay negative ground

 

[Dmacleo]

if it has an alternator then it probably has been converted to 12v and it needs to stay negative ground

remembering more.
SO MUCH THIS!
DTLM.
Diode Trio Lives Matter.

you said it starts, step away from the precipice buddy.

 

[nepa]

remembering more.
SO MUCH THIS!
DTLM.
Diode Trio Lives Matter.

you said it starts, step away from the precipice buddy.

 

[nepa]

As long as it runs, I don't care what the ground is and won't change anything. I was just very surprised to see the negative ground when the specs say the tractor is positive. Could this be a reason for the ammeter to barely move after starting? Also if I reverse the battery to negative ground might something get damaged? Many thanks to you all and please answer these last two questions.

 

[nepa]

As long as it runs, I don't care what the ground is and won't change anything. I was just very surprised to see the negative ground when the specs say the tractor is positive. Could this be a reason for the ammeter to barely move after starting? Also if I reverse the battery to negative ground might something get damaged? Many thanks to you all and please answer these last two questions.

I need to add, it appears to have an original generator, no alternator.

 

[RayIN]

As long as it runs, I don't care what the ground is and won't change anything. I was just very surprised to see the negative ground when the specs say the tractor is positive. Could this be a reason for the ammeter to barely move after starting? Also if I reverse the battery to negative ground might something get damaged? Many thanks to you all and please answer these last two questions.

Nothing bad happens, make the switch to Neg ground and observe the ammeter action. You might have to re-polarize the generator, which is easy-pezy.