Normal start JD 2550

[smbrooks]

I've never owned a diesel tractor before. I'm going to pick up a 1984 JD 2550 that I'm told can be hard to start. So, could someone who owns a 2550 or similar tractor tell me what the normal starting routine is, please?

The lettering has been rubbed off the knobs from use so I don't know what the knobs and switches on the dash are for. The former owner is dead so I'm on my own.

Any guidance appreciated.

 

[beenthere]

:welcome:
Don't know any special tricks, and assume you have made a search on TBN for threads on the 2550.
I found the shifting decals in jdparts and show here.
I'd suggest going to Deere and getting the manual for your 2550. Well worth it, and look forward to hear more about your experiences with the "new" tractor.

 

[Tx Jim]

Difficult starting JD utility tractors built before '93 can be helped by relocating the batt ground cable from attaching to batt box to attaching to engine block.

 

[Zebrafive]

Difficult starting JD utility tractors built before '93 can be helped by relocating the batt ground cable from attaching to batt box to attaching to engine block.

This may be the solution for my 2030! The starter does not always engage, (spins, but does not turn engine). Dealer said it needed a new solinoid. I replaced the solinoid and no change.

I had been thinking of running a jumper ground wire from the battery box ground mount bolt to the starter mount bolt. TxJim do you think this will help?

 

[Tx Jim]

If starter spins but doesn't engage flywheel gear I'd suspect either the starter motor drive(parts key #25) or something binding in parts keys #9 &/or 10. Or possibly bad teeth on flywheel ring gear.

 

[Tx Jim]

Another thing that can help poor starter engagement is this relay kit(part #RE170320).

 

[smbrooks]

Thanks, everyone, now I know the shift pattern. There is a black rotating switch with a paddle knob and three positions on the left side of the dash and an orange knob that pulls in and out. Do you know what they control?

The starter seems to be engaging. And I'll run the ground to the frame first chance I get.

I'm waiting on an operators manual.

 

[Zebrafive]

Black knob sounds like light switch.
OFF
W warning lights
F Bright forward lights, white rear light
H1 Bright front lights, red rewar light, amber warning lights
H2 Dim front lights, red rear lights, amber warning lights

Orange pull knob is fuel shut off, PULL to shut off engine, cuts fuel.

 

[smbrooks]

Black knob sounds like light switch.
OFF
W warning lights
F Bright forward lights, white rear light
H1 Bright front lights, red rewar light, amber warning lights
H2 Dim front lights, red rear lights, amber warning lights

Orange pull knob is fuel shut off, PULL to shut off engine, cuts fuel.

Thanks. That helps. I was out in the sunshine alone and couldn't see the lights. The orange knob really helps. I probably wasn't doing myself any favors cranking the engine with the knob pulled out. Tried it both ways.

 

[smbrooks]

Hi everyone. I'm picking up and old thread that I started in 2011. I've now lived with my JD 2550 almost five years and like it a lot but it has always been pretty hard starting. Lately I've had bad starting problems which I traced down to a worn out starter. The new one should be here tomorrow. But in the process, I had a guy tell me I've been starting my tractor the wrong way. So, I got out the manual and sure enough. But it raises another question which I'm hoping someone can explain for me:

The manual says to "Turn the key switch to the first position. Turn starter switch counterclockwise to first position and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds. Then turn starter switch farther to end position.

As soon as engine starts turn starter switch back to first position and hold it there until engine runs smoothly." etc.

My tractor doesn't have a separate starter switch and key switch. It has an automotive type three position switch. Straight up and down is off. There is one counter clockwise position which I always thought was accessories but doesn't seem to do anything. And, there are two clockwise positions. In the first the dash lights light up. The second position engages the starter just like you'd expect.

Here's my question. Assuming the first clockwise position on the key switch is the same as the starter switch described in the manual (a big assumption, I know) why does the manual instruct me to hold the key in first position for 10 - 15 seconds. What's going on? The engine doesn't have glow plugs, at least to my knowledge, so what is warming up and how. Anybody know this engine who can explain it to me?

 

[Tx Jim]

smbrooks
Are you sure you're reading about starting procedure for a 2550 because as far as I know 2550 doesn't have any type of intake(air) heater or glow plugs? What is the number of the OM you're reading this info from??

 

[smbrooks]

smbrooks
Are you sure you're reading about starting procedure for a 2550 because as far as I know 2550 doesn't have any type of intake(air) heater or glow plugs? What is the number of the OM you're reading this info from??

Hi Tx. I'm reading OM-L 39648 Issue D 4. Section 20-3. The cover says 2350 and 2550 Tractors. I don't think it has any of those things either. That's why I'm confused.

 

[fieldman12]

Texas Jim is correct on the starter. Either it is not sliding all the way out, or the teeth are getting pretty warn on the starter. Most people call the gear the bendix gear. A new or rebuilt starter always cured my problem when I had this issue. You could try ordering parts also.

This may be the solution for my 2030! The starter does not always engage, (spins, but does not turn engine). Dealer said it needed a new solinoid. I replaced the solinoid and no change.

I had been thinking of running a jumper ground wire from the battery box ground mount bolt to the starter mount bolt. TxJim do you think this will help?

 

[Tx Jim]

smbrooks
I checked OM number and your correct. I checked 2550 parts catalog and no type of starting aid is listed. I think JD OM writers made a MISTAKE.

 

[smbrooks]

smbrooks
I checked OM number and your correct. I checked 2550 parts catalog and no type of starting aid is listed. I think JD OM writers made a MISTAKE.

I get it now. Those instructions are for the 2350 / 2550 with the optional thermostarting aid. I figured it out from the schematics in the technical manual. TM-4403 $100 from JDParts on CD which just came today. My tractor doesn't have it. If it did, there would be a separate key switch and starter switch. But the OM says nothing about that and just gives instructions for the optioned tractor. Jeez. Thanks for your help.

 

[Tx Jim]

Thanks for update. Just for grins I re-checked 2350/2550 parts catalog to discover that I overlooked the THERMOSTART STARTING AID sections. Darned "oldtimers" must of kicked in when I looked the 1st time.
Jim

 

[smbrooks]

And I'll run the ground to the frame first chance I get.

I'm replying to my own post as a follow up. I did run a ground wire from the ground post in the battery box to a mounting bolt on the starter and it completely cured long standing (before I acquired the machine) difficulty starting the tractor. It would seem that the grounding of the battery box to the frame is insufficient over time. I can't say how it was when new. The difference is considerable on my tractor.

 

[Tx Jim]

smbrooks
Thanks for starting improvement update after attaching ground cable to engine block. I could never understand other than a "lower cost" why JD engineers elected to attach battery ground cable to a battery box bottom that eventually over time was going to get rusty.
Jim