farmall m electrical problem

[irv_52]

Hello friends; I have a 1950's Farmall M the one with the wide front end. I went thru a situation where in trying to jump start the tractor the jumper cables burned up. I replaced all the battery cables made sure the battery was good, turned the start switch, nothing. I bypassed the solenoid switch, battery to starter, nothing. The lights don't turn on, ameter is dead but the fuse did not blow. I turn the start switch not even a click, completely dead it seems. I sure would appreciate some suggestions, also the weather get down in the minus up here in the dakotas, need help!
 

[rls_ia]

I don"t remember all the details, but one time my dad had trouble with an M, turned out the steering post wasn"t getting a good ground to platform/transmission cover. One other thing that comes to mind, could the starter be shorted out?
Good Luck, Bob
 

[notjustair]

One of my M's has a real finicky ground. Take the ground off and take a wire wheel to the area where it grounds. How long of cables did you buy? If you want to go fool-proof ground it on the starter mounting bolt.

Those M's always start in the winter but that fan sure blows the cold wind. Ever day I swear I am going to take the time to take the nose piece off and cover the rad, but I never do.
 

[LonM]

Sometimes the starter will lock up on an M or H. Then you have to unbolt it and it will un-jam from the flywheel gear. But since you have no lights, I would suspect something other than a locked starter.