Please help, my tractor won't start!

[DJ54]

If your ammeter works/has been working, see if it is charging. If not, you may want to check the belt tension on the generator.. On my Super C, it has to be just pretty snug. Just because it's turning, doesn't mean it's putting out enough to keep the battery charged, plus supply the ignition system. I have experienced the same thing you described before, now that I thought about it. Starts blubbering..., look down and no charging.. All but 1 time, the belt needed snugged.

And/or your battery may be getting tired. But does sound like it will hold a charge somewhat..., at least for a little while.

If the belt is good and tight, then it could be the voltage regulator, or generator itself. If you have a tester, you can check it for output. If not, hope you have a good starter/generator repair shop close like I do. They can bench test and tell you in just a few seconds.

Just picked up a starter for my BN Farmall, from said shop. New bearings, brushes, etc, Cleaned up the armature on the lathe.. $79.00, with a 1 year guarantee. Not bad in my book..

But, geeze, you'd think it would have lasted longer than it did... The original starter, and it's only a 1947 model... Go figure...

 

[Harley T]

OK, got home today, took the tarp and battery charger off, and it started right up. Better than it ever has.

Only let it run for a couple of minutes, then backed it into the garage for now. Wasn't going to wait to see if she crapped out again.

Since the points/condenser/rotor/cap kit only costs 20 bux or so, I'm gonna go ahead and change them anyway. They won't be in until tomorrow or the day after. In the meantime, I'm gonna switch out the battery with one that I know is good, and see how she runs. Also gonna make sure the belt is tight enough. Again, I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again for all the responses. You have all been a great help.

Harley

 

[Scotty370]

I'd be getting that Battery load tested. My thought is that the alternator is trying to charge a very, very marginal battery. It's probably providing enough "juice" to the coil to get it to fire. When your under load, the alternator output is lessened, because your RPM's are dropping off, and you drop below the 'threshold-voltage' necessary to fire the coil! Just a thought........ ~Scotty

 

[Jimmy Joe]

We had the exact same tractor on the farm, it was spitting and sputtering. Turned out the wires were loose on the voltage reduction resistor.

 

[g82263]

im thinking your problem is in the fuel system. when the tractor sets, the fuel bowl fills with gas. it starts and runs fine. you would be supprised how long they will run with the gas that is in the fuel bowl. anyway, it sounds like it running out of gas either from a restricticted fuel filter or junk in the tank. i would change the filter and maybe blow back through the tank. lack of fuel will cause all your symptoms.

 

[Harley T]

Thanks again for more responses.

Well, I got antsy last night, and without doing ANYTHING to the tractor, started her up again. Let it run for a few minutes, then took it out to try moving some snow banks to put the engine under some load. It ran just fine. However, I only did that for about 5 minutes, because I didn't want it to die in the middle of the yard. Backed it back into the garage awaiting the points/condenser/rotor/cap kit. That should be here today or tomorrow. When I pick that up, I'm gonna take the battery with me and have it load tested. Also, when I remove the battery, I'm gonna make sure the belt on the alternator is tight. Thanks for all the ideas. You have all been quite helpful. Again, I will keep you posted.

Harley

 

[Soundguy]

I'd still double check all wires and connections.. and pull the fuel line and check flow.. if the carb has a drain in the bowl.. check there as well. ( not sure what carb that thing uses.. etc.. )

soundguy

 

[Harley T]

OK, last night I went out and checked a couple of things out. The alternator belt was quite loose. The owner's manual says 1/4 in of "play" in it. So, I tightened that up and started the engine. Started ok, and let it run for a few minutes.

Then turned it off and let it sit for an hour or so. Started it up again, and brought it out to see how she did. What I DID notice, for the first time, was the voltmeter on the dash. At initial start up, the volt meter was pushing 16V. Soon, however, it was 15, then 14 1/2. When it got under 14, the tractor started slowing down. So now I figure I've got this narrowed down to 1 of 3 things. Either the battery won't hold a charge, the alternator isn't charging it, or the voltage regulator is shot.

I bought a battery charger/starter/tester the other day. With this, I can check the battery and the alternator. If they both test OK, I'm buying a voltage regulator. After I thought about this, I had the exact same problem with a 1969 Dodge Dart I owned back in High School. LOL

Thanks again for all the responses and suggestions. I will let you all know how I make out.

Harley

 

[Soundguy]

By the way.. i know you keep saying alternator.. but does this machine really have an alternator.. or does it have a generator like most ALL other 50's era machines did?

if it does have a genny.. it's REAL easy to test the genny with a full field and motor test.. and you can test the vreg to using the full field and cutout bypass tests.

takes like 5 minutes.... ez as pi

soundguy

 

[Harley T]

Sorry, my bad. It is a generator. Keep saying alternator, just outta habit, though.

I'm planning on testing them with the charger I bought a few days ago. "Full field and motor test?" Could you explain a little more? TIA

Harley