Starting problem

volcamp · Jul 19, 2020

I have MF 1250. Several months ago it would not start unless I jumped it with my Ram dually. So I have been that since. Now it will not turn over even while jumping. The tractor battery tests out good. When I turn the key to start there is nothing, when I turn it back to off, there is relay in the dash that makes a grinding sound for a few seconds. I had originally thought the problem was in the fuel shutoff solenoid but now I知 not so sure. Any ideas?
In the meantime I知 in a bind with hay roll on the ground and fearing rain. What would be the method to bypass all this (basically like straight wiring) in an emergency?

Roadworthy · Jul 19, 2020

Rather than bypass anything try to solve the actual problem. Do not assume the tractor battery is good just because it holds voltage. Have it load tested at a battery shop. Clean the contacts on the battery as well as the terminals on the cable. Follow the ground cable to its destination and be sure that's a tight, clean, solid connection. Be sure to check for corrosion at the battery cable terminal ends. This may solve the whole thing.

jaxs · Jul 19, 2020

I assume your 1250 is a 30 horse compact,not the 100 horse,4wd,bend in the middle earth shaker. Either way,be carful not to run yourself over doing this. With ignition/fuel off,shifter in high gear,rock by hand or tow foward 2-3 feet while watching for fan to revolve. Not sure this work's with your transmission so if you can't rotate engine,use your hands on belt or wrench on crank or pto shaft. In case starter is "locked"this will unlock starter from flywheel. Try starting as usual. Still nothing? With ignition/fuel on,trans OUT OF GEAR,tires chocked,trans OUT OF GEAR, hook booster - clamp to good clean ground on tractor, make sure trans is NOT IN GEAR, touch + booster clamp to battery cable post on starter. She should turn over. Regardless what happens,report back and as Roadworthy suggests,let us help you fix it once and for all.

JWR · Jul 20, 2020

Both posts 2 and 3 are good advice. I have one quickie you might try: Given that a jump does not start you and some of the other comments you made, I lean towards a balky starter. I have a Kubota that acts that way.

Suggest you take any heavy metal rod you can find (I usually use the 18" socket set extension rod) and tap on the starter motor. Good solid tap but of course don't break anything. Some tractors have the starter out where you can get at it and others not so much. I like to use a long enough rod that I don't have to pull off the sheet metal sides of the engine compartment. I've heard that some starters will bind and this jars them loose. Others say there is a tiny angle of rotation where the contacts inside the starter are not "making" due to wear or who knows what. If that, the other guy's suggest to force some engine rotation with the starter engaged will work. Let us know the outcome. Hope you can get in the field where you need to be !

Workstead · Apr 20, 2021

I know that this is an older thread - but I had the same problem on my 1250. I tried the good suggestions about battery, wires, corrosion to no avail. I found that tapping the starter/solenoid would let the tractor crank the engine to start.
I removed the starter with the attached solenoid and took it to my local Alternator/Starter repair shop. He found some corrosion in the solenoid so he cleaned it up, replaced the contacts and cleaned the outside of both the starter and solenoid. For about $70 it now looks, and operates, like new.