Farmall 350 battery

[mickey350]

Can anyone recommend a good battery for a Farmall 350? I just bought this, and battery is dead. Is it a 6V or 12V?

 

[Janicholson]

without knowing more, I will give the following:
If it has three cells (three caps on the cell coverings that either pry or screw off, it is a six volt. If it has two big square covers, covering 3 openings each it is a 12 volt.
The reality is that it came from the factory as a 6 volt if it is a gas tractor, and 12 volt if diesel. Both of these were positive ground systems (not the same as modern cars)
If you know the difference between an alternator, and a generator by looking at it, you can be assured it will have 12v negative ground (99% chance)if it is an alternator.
If it has a genreator, it will have an external device attached near it, or in the wiring to it for control (either a cutout relay, or a voltage regulator) We can help dramatically if we know what you have with certainty. Google images of Delco farmall Generators. The fifth image I found was typical. Then look at delco SI 10 alternator images. they do not look the same. Give us a photo, or tell us what you have. Putting the wrong battery in it the wrong way always lets the smoke out of the parts. JimN

 

[mickey350]

Thanks Jim.

It is a Gas tractor. I think it's the 350 Utility Gas - but I am not 100% sure on the model - It has the C-175 Engine, which was in the 350 (?).

Ok, so from what you wrote, it is a 6V battery - it's a Traveller SKU number 04-70580 - it just doesn't say 6V on the battery - it says 1-8V, which is confusing to me.

I will have a look at the alternator vs generator images, because I do not know the difference.

Both terminals go to bolts on the tractor / engine.

What is odd to me is that the negative cable has another cable (smaller red cable) going from the engine mount to somewhere else 0 haven't traced it yet. In automobiles, the positive always has the additional wire.

 

[Janicholson]

THat may be an 8 volt battery. A pretty common bandaid procedure for faking a repair. If it is, it will be a Generator system, Probably stock. With a Voltage regulator in a small tim box. Look on this site for John T trouble shooting for charging systems. It is better than trying to duplicate it. You do need certainty on the Gen/Alt. info. JimN

 

[Anonymous-0]

Do you know if the terminal cable with the two wires (one smaller red wire) is the negative terminal cable? If you are sitting on the tractor, it's on your left.

 

[Janicholson]

If the battery is front center of the operator, it is a Utility tractor.
The wiring on any tractor that old could have been changed 4 times in its life. There is no good way to assure you of what it is connected to. Normally,,,, the battery cables (with 6v generator) are set with a single 00gauge cable going from the left Negative battery post, to the starter relay (little round unit on the top of the starter). That relay has a copper terminal where the battery cable is attached. at that point, a second wire with a loop terminal (#10 wire) goes up into the dash to the AMP gauge.
The right hand Positive Bat terminal attaches to a bare woven/braded flat ground strap to the tractor casting.
It is important to findout if it has a generator or alternator before proceeding. JimN

 

[mkirsch]

The extra wire coming off the battery cable is not stock. It's probably a replacement cable for an older GM pickup truck. The smaller wire may or may not be connected.

Hopefully you paid attention to which post of the battery was hooked up where... If so, put the new battery in the same way the old one came out.

 

[mickey350]

you've hit one nail on the head - I did not pay attention when I took out the battery - well, I didn't write it down anyways, which amounts to not knowing (for me).

The other question I originally posted was when is the recommended battery, which I am assuming would be the biggest 6V that fits

I will have to trace that smaller wire and post back with some pictures.

 

[mickey350]

Thanks Jim - this is real helpful - so, it seems that 6V systems are opposite from 12V - because in an automobile the negative just goes to the block, and the positive flows to the other electric components.

 

[mickey350]

Thanks for you help. I need a good shop manual - I bought one of them, the I&T aftermarket - but it has nothing on the electrical system. I just went ahead and bought the service manual (Part No: IH-S-ENG GAS E) operators manual (Part No: IH-O-350 UTIL) from this site.

 

[Janicholson]

Not all, but many were setup that way. There is no difference in operation, the parts don't care, and it can be setup to work either way with some changes to the coil wires, and polarization of the generator (starter motors are series wound DC motors, and only turn in the direction they are designed to with either polarity). It is fine Pos Ground. Use the heavy cables it is the biggest factor in slow cranking and issues with 6v systems. JimN