706 gas not running right

[706man]

Hi All
I'll try and give all the details. My 706 started sputtering recently. I drained the tank and found some debris above the sediment bowl. I installed a small tube above the bowl so stuff wouldn't drain into there anymore. I took off carb and cleaned jets just to make sure. Put everything back on, filled up and it still didn't run right. Sounded kinda flat. Pulled plugs and they were wet and real gunky at the end. Cleaned them and it ran a little better. But here's the weird deal. Through all of this, when it was running and i would turn the headlights on it would stall it. It wouldnt kill it like turning off the switch but it sounded like when you run out of gas. I added four lights last winter and know i used them and it ran fine.
Does this sound like the generator is going bad? The points are like new.
I have a mechanic coming to look at it but wanted to research it on my own. thanks

Mike
 

[Senator]

There should be a fuel shutoff solenoid at the carb. Check to see if it is working correctly or has a frayed or loose wire.
 

[Janicholson]

The lights on stalling is a key indicator that the voltage getting to the coil is being compromised. This can be from several sources. The battery can be going bad, (though willing to crank it, it may be low on voltage, bad cells can do it, as can insufficient charging). It may have a bad key switch with high contact resistance. It may have a bad connection at any point from the starter connections to the remaining electrical circuits, or from the key to the ballast resistor, or from there to the coil, or from coil to points. The fact that the lights reduce the total voltage would have me checking the charging voltage, and the battary voltage when off, as well as connections from the starter to the dash. Jim
 

[TractormanNC]

Four extra lights eh? I hope you used a relay to feed power to them. The electrical system and wiring on these old tractors is not adequate for even the factory installed lights. Battery connection on light switch frequently overheats, corrodes and makes for a bad connection.

The factory generator was IIRC only 25 amps. Five factory installed lights plus the ignition is about 20 amps, so not much left to run extra lights. Turning on the lights could pull down the battery voltage enough to where the ignition quits.

If not already done, you need to get this tractor converted to a high output alternator (three wire) along with some heavier duty wiring.
 

[ejr-IA.]

If it is a bad selenoid un plug it and take it out and cut the rod and point off reinstall it that is what I did mine.Or spend a bunch for a new one.
 

[the tractor vet]

Ok you added four more lites on a generator system , NOT GOOD . With the gen system if you have the flat top fender with the four head lites and ONE rear lite you are almost maxed out and you will eat lite switches . If it is the one with clam shell fenders with three factory lites you can add a couple more but here again it will eat lite switches . If you put something like 4509 aircraft bulbs you are over taxing the system off the get go . If you up grade to a Alt. then to do it wright means a total rewire to do it correctly . The main wi9re from the gen back is only a 12 gauge wire , not heavy enough for what and alt . will put out , this you need and 8 ga. main wire Then to add more lites ya need circuit breakers NOT fuses and CV relays and take the load off the lite switch . Our one 706 is still a gen system and works fine with the two head lites and two rear work lites . To get more lite to the ft. i found halogen bulbs that were 50 watt over the 35 's that were factory it helped . We do a lot of night farming and we get by , no we are not going to light up a foot ball stadium but we can see . Myself i would have the gen tested and remove two or three of the extra lites. The Gen on our 706 will do 29-30 amps after it was rebuilt with everything new .
 

[todd hamilton]

yep...I ain't much of a mechanic but electricity is my trade. Slap an 80 amp Delco alternator on that 706, add extra circuits for any additional lights, fuse any additional circuits that you add. You lights will only hold up as well as your wiring ablilities. I add lights to the 1066 and 1466. I also installed flashers on all tractors and lights on all pulled implements after a bad wreck in the dark with the corn planter in 1999. I did all of the equipment using boat trailer wiring, lights and switches purchased at Advanced Auto for under $300.00. Do not add any additional loads to the IH factory circuits.
 

[706man]

Sure enough. I unhooked the four(flat fender) lights and it runs better. Tractor runs good with flashers on. Tractor runs good with flashers, two forward lights and 1 rear on. But when I lower the throttle I noticed it starts to sputter.
So should I try finding a bigger generator or have an alternator put on. I really want to be able to run the six forward lights when I want.
Thanks for everyones help so far.

Mike