During the spring , while act onannual machinery sustainment , I was surprised to discover that trusty sometime “ Little Mo”—myJohn Deere Model 40 — wasn’t in the mood to start when asked .
This was noteworthy because Little Mo , despite her age , has never had any meaningful outcome with begin . She ’ll fire up in the dead of winter if necessary , as my brother humorously discovered on one especially cold afternoon .
Yet here I was , hop to move a hay rake , and Little Mo was stubbornly refusing to show signs of life .
It was n’t as though the starter was spinning and the locomotive was refusing to catch . plow the ignition bring forth no response whatsoever .
go along an old tractor going is just a case of maintenance ( and appreciation ) .
An Electrical Issue
This was encouraging in one respect . presumptively , there was n’t anything ill-timed with the engine ( always a relief ) , and the issue lay or else with the electric organisation . Which , in Little Mo ’s case , involves the starter and slight more , since the headlight have n’t worked in decades .
My first thought was that the stamp battery must have failed . This seemed unmatched , though , since Little Mo had been working fine a few days before .
But then an alternative reply pop into mind . Perhaps the problem was n’t with the stamp battery , but the battery terminus and/or cables instead .
Arguably nothing can shut down a tractor as quick as an issue with the battery terminal . If the stamp battery is unable to pass an electrical current through the cables to power the tractor , you ’re not going anywhere , even if all other parts are in perfect workings order .
Starting a tractor starts with the neophyte , after all !
About Batteries
A tractor shelling has two end — overconfident and negative , also referred to as battery posts . Upon these , a brace of colour - coded alloy cables clamp to conduct the current to the electric system .
There ’s plenty that can go wrong at the point in time where the clamps make contact with the battery terminals . The terminal and/or clamp can rust over time , weakening ( or block entirely ) the flow of electrical energy . Less messy , but still problematic , are loose clamps that fail to securely fascinate the depot .
In Little Mo ’s eccentric , on the loose clamps turned out to be the culprit . They ’re a little worn out and likely due to be replaced . After tightening the bolt , though , Little Mo has been running happily without any further issues . This examine once again that old tractors really are the best .
The latest may not be the greatest , but it ’s not hard to make a case for old tractors !
However…
If corroded end and/or clamps had been the issue , though , the root would have been a bit more complicated .
Many do - it - yourself folks are game to strip corrode components themselves . By amalgamate a tablespoonful of broil soda ash with more or less 1 1/2 cups of water system , these amateur mechanics can utilise a toothbrush to delicately scrub the result solution across corroded depot and clamps . This clean the erosion and restores parts to working order .
But working with and around tractor batteries can be a guard hazard . Water is a good director of electricity , so there ’s a risk of electric electric shock if you ’re not careful , or if you colligate / unplug the assault and battery cables in the incorrect order ( review your tractor ’s manual and read shelling labels for refuge advice ) .
Also , keep in mind the corrosion you ’re dealing with is sulfuric acid , which can be a dangerous thorn to your skin , eyes and lungs . The destination is to waste the acid with the baking soda water , but there ’s still a hazard ask .
All bombardment sustenance — even something as childlike as changing or load the battery — should be guarantee with gloves and safety goggles . And if corroded components are preventing your tractor from start , count having a professional shop mechanic perform the cleaning .
If the impairment is too wide , supervene upon the assault and battery and/or clamps is a final option that can restore your tractor to perfect workings order .
