Ferguson Tea20 starter solenoid?

[mikeysgarage]

Hi all, I've recently started working on my Grandpa's old 1955 Tea20, its been sitting for a while (maybe 10-15 years) it looks decent under the hood but looks like he was messing with the carb before he quit. I removed the battery and found a lot of rust beneath the tray including this little piece that was hooked up to the wiring and battery cable but can't seem to find it in any service manuals. Looking it up says its a starter solenoid, I can't seem to find any OEM number so can't find anything comparable. Gonna test if it works first but it's appearance is not promising and am assuming it'll need replacing. Does anyone have experience with this piece or a crossover they've used? It's a 6v battery so assuming a 6v system still. Going to try turning it over this weekend wirh new battery and cleaned carb.

 

[Blackhole49]

That looks to be a simple solenoid (this site sells them). While it is off, try hooking + and - from a battery to the 2 small posts. If it clicks, check for continuity across the big lugs. It might be fine.

 

[Texasmark]

If you have a problem with it not passing Blackhole49's test and look for a new one, if you have a problem finding a replacement, you need to ensure that the energizing circuit (small terminals) are isolated from ground (the case) or not. With 2 small (energizing) terminals, I would assume that neither contact the case and are there for a remote ground......meaning even though you push the start button with the key on, and apply battery voltage to one small terminal, if ground is not connected to the low side (the other small terminal) of the solenoid it won't energize.....on Fords, this is in the transmission and either the gear or range (depending on year and model) has to be in the N position to get the ground for the solenoid. This is a safety function so that if you decide to start your tractor standing next to it, in front of the rear wheel, if its in gear without a safety mechanism and it starts, you will get run over!!!!!!!!!

 

[mikeysgarage]

Sweet, thanks for the advice, I'll give it a try!

 

[olddavid]

The TE-20 had a contactor activated by a rod in the transmission. Does your shift pattern include "S" for start? We had trouble with ours and Dad bypassed it with a solenoid much like you show in your picture. As Texasmark has said you need to be careful if there is no neutral safety switch but many of the old tractors didn't have one. Actually, one should be careful even if there is one as they can fail. The Ferguson TE-20 setup was pretty fool proof as the transmission had to be in neutral to hit the start gate.

 

[Brown David]

The TE-20 had a contactor activated by a rod in the transmission. Does your shift pattern include "S" for start? We had trouble with ours and Dad bypassed it with a solenoid much like you show in your picture. As Texasmark has said you need to be careful if there is no neutral safety switch but many of the old tractors didn't have one. Actually, one should be careful even if there is one as they can fail. The Ferguson TE-20 setup was pretty fool proof as the transmission had to be in neutral to hit the start gate.

They are not hard to fix either, usually just have to be taken out and cleaned. New ones are also available.


https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ferguson-TE20_Starter-Switch-Gear-Stick-Operated_829960M91.html


Absolutely no need for a solenoid on these tractors.

 

[John Deere D]

Hi all, I've recently started working on my Grandpa's old 1955 Tea20, its been sitting for a while (maybe 10-15 years) it looks decent under the hood but looks like he was messing with the carb before he quit. I removed the battery and found a lot of rust beneath the tray including this little piece that was hooked up to the wiring and battery cable but can't seem to find it in any service manuals. Looking it up says its a starter solenoid, I can't seem to find any OEM number so can't find anything comparable. Gonna test if it works first but it's appearance is not promising and am assuming it'll need replacing. Does anyone have experience with this piece or a crossover they've used? It's a 6v battery so assuming a 6v system still. Going to try turning it over this weekend wirh new battery and cleaned carb.

Is your tractor 6 Volts or 12 volt, original from the factory?......or "suffering from previous emergency repair"?.

"IF" you indeed have a FERGUSON TEA-20..........the ENGINE IS NOT the same engine the TE-20 Ferguson's have, assembled in the USA.

Your TEA-20 has the British "STANDARD" engine.

The above is important, "IF" you have any intentions, on purchasing Literature on the ENGINE ......

Picture's with "Sherman Trans",indicates, connection from "S" position on GEAR SHIFT to STARTER SOLENOID.
These pictures were located in the "YT" archives.

Thank you to the individual who posted these TWO pictures.....

The solenoid you posted...............Is NOT ORIGINAL.

The solenoid you posted....

PROBABLY allows the "Tractor engine to start,even when the Transmission is in GEAR".........................

 

[Ray,IN]

If it helps, here is the HF te20 shop manual, just remove the space after the n for the link to work. https://www.n tractorclub.com/manuals/tractors/1990%20I&T%20FE-2%20Service%20Manual%20(Ferguson%20TE20%20TO20%20TO30).pdf

 

[Duner Wi]

Look at a Massey Ferguson # 829960M91 starter switch.

 

[John Deere D]

Hi all, I've recently started working on my Grandpa's old 1955 Tea20, its been sitting for a while (maybe 10-15 years) it looks decent under the hood but looks like he was messing with the carb before he quit. I removed the battery and found a lot of rust beneath the tray including this little piece that was hooked up to the wiring and battery cable but can't seem to find it in any service manuals. Looking it up says its a starter solenoid, I can't seem to find any OEM number so can't find anything comparable. Gonna test if it works first but it's appearance is not promising and am assuming it'll need replacing. Does anyone have experience with this piece or a crossover they've used? It's a 6v battery so assuming a 6v system still. Going to try turning it over this weekend wirh new battery and cleaned carb.

 

[mikeysgarage]

Is your tractor 6 Volts or 12 volt, original from the factory?......or "suffering from previous emergency repair"?.

"IF" you indeed have a FERGUSON TEA-20..........the ENGINE IS NOT the same engine the TE-20 Ferguson's have, assembled in the USA.

Your TEA-20 has the British "STANDARD" engine.

The above is important, "IF" you have any intentions, on purchasing Literature on the ENGINE ......

Picture's with "Sherman Trans",indicates, connection from "S" position on GEAR SHIFT to STARTER SOLENOID.
These pictures were located in the "YT" archives.

Thank you to the individual who posted these TWO pictures.....

The solenoid you posted...............Is NOT ORIGINAL.

The solenoid you posted....

PROBABLY allows the "Tractor engine to start,even when the Transmission is in GEAR".........................

Thank you for the detailed response! It is a Tea20 and I'm pretty sure its 6volts based on the battery I removed only having 6 cells, the serial number luckily is still on it and legible. I'm away from the tractor right now but will check on Friday when I'm back up on the farm and will check everything everyone has told me. It still has the original starter switch which I thought maybe was defective and they couldn't find an OEM, that's why they attached this solenoid but what everyone here says makes more sense. Thank you all for your responses, this has been really great!

 

[Jim.ME]

Thank you for the detailed response! It is a Tea20 and I'm pretty sure its 6volts based on the battery I removed only having 6 cells, the serial number luckily is still on it and legible. I'm away from the tractor right now but will check on Friday when I'm back up on the farm and will check everything everyone has told me. It still has the original starter switch which I thought maybe was defective and they couldn't find an OEM, that's why they attached this solenoid but what everyone here says makes more sense. Thank you all for your responses, this has been really great!

In your first post you said it was a 6-volt battery, in this post you say it has 6 cells, the two do not "fit" together. Is it a battery that has 6 caps (one per cell) or you pried the covers off and saw 6 openings. Each battery cell should provide about 2 volts. If you have a battery with 6 cells it should be a 12-volt battery. It might be good if you post a couple pictures of the battery you removed.

 

[mikeysgarage]

Oh, I didn't know that, I've been going off that 6 cells were 1v/cell. I'm fairly new with tinkering with stuff and haven't had a situation where I needed to know about the voltage in the battery yet and google has been my teacher (though I know unreliable at times). When I looked up the battery it gave me mixed answers so I was going to call a place today to get a replacement and get them to tell me diffinitively. I'll post the image of the battery, the top is worn but the side gave me the part number

 

[Jim.ME]

Oh, I didn't know that, I've been going off that 6 cells were 1v/cell. I'm fairly new with tinkering with stuff and haven't had a situation where I needed to know about the voltage in the battery yet and google has been my teacher (though I know unreliable at times). When I looked up the battery it gave me mixed answers so I was going to call a place today to get a replacement and get them to tell me diffinitively. I'll post the image of the battery, the top is worn but the side gave me the part number

That is a 12-volt battery.

Now the next question is: has it been converted to 12 volts (charging and ignition)?

 

[Mark-Ia]

Looks like a typical Ford stater solenoid available at any parts store.

 

[Jim.ME]

Oh, I didn't know that, I've been going off that 6 cells were 1v/cell. I'm fairly new with tinkering with stuff and haven't had a situation where I needed to know about the voltage in the battery yet and google has been my teacher (though I know unreliable at times). When I looked up the battery it gave me mixed answers so I was going to call a place today to get a replacement and get them to tell me diffinitively. I'll post the image of the battery, the top is worn but the side gave me the part number

Post some pictures of your entire tractor, all sides. It can be surprising the things people will notice that might help you with it.

 

[mikeysgarage]

I'll grab some better pics this weekend, here is one of the sides with hood up and down. I know its been running in the last 10-15 years as I have a picture of my mom driving it

 

[John Deere D]

I'll grab some better pics this weekend, here is one of the sides with hood up and down. I know its been running in the last 10-15 years as I have a picture of my mom driving it

Your pictures indicate (by the casting on the bell housing) your Tractor has a 12 volt starter.

The 12 Volt starter has a longer Armature than the 6 VOLT Starter. This design allows for the Bendix drive on the 12 volt starter to engage the fly wheel ring gear from the AFT side of the flywheel

The 6 Volt starter engages the ring gear on the Forward side of the flywheel.

The pic of the Beautiful Tea-20 with then12 volt starter is on the Internet,thanks to Charles from Australia.

I own a TEA-20 and three parts TEA-20's. My daily user is an original 6 Volt system and has been on my property since new.

I own two original 6 volt parts TEA-20's as well as an original 12 volt TEA-20 parts Tractor.

May I ask, what is your loction, as parts are not all that readily available for the Ferguson TEA-20's in some Nations.

There is plenty of assistance here on "YT" however, your TEA-20 Tractor has an English STANDARD ENGINE.

Be cognoscente, of not using information on the Ferguson's assembled in the USA with the CONTINENTAL ENGINE
The two different engines to the best of my knowledge have nothing in common for parts,and or design.

Transmission, Differential,Hydraulics and steering components are for the most part interchangeable.
Bob...

 

[Brown David]

John Deere D, you are maybe the most knowledgeable fellow about these tractors that I have encountered.

I know quite a lot about them due to growing up with one on grandfather's farm, (he bought it new and I still have it, pic in avatar), and working with and on them for the last 60 years but I'm sure there are things that I don't know.

I enjoy your informative posts.

 

[John Deere D]

John Deere D, you are maybe the most knowledgeable fellow about these tractors that I have encountered.

I know quite a lot about them due to growing up with one on grandfather's farm, (he bought it new and I still have it, pic in avatar), and working with and on them for the last 60 years but I'm sure there are things that I don't know.

I enjoy your informative posts.

Thank you Brown David
Knowledge is something all of us have due to others sharing their knowledge.
Have a great week................
Bob....