Farmall B battery box

[rbrandel]

The battery on my Farmall B is mounted on an open bracket to the left side of the tractor below the original box location. I have a new replacement for the original box , but it seems like mounting it in its correct location could be a pain with the gas tank in the way. And won't it require taking the box off to get the battery out? Plus lifting the box with the battery in it to this location seems like it's going to be a little awkward or am I missing something? Is it worth it, or is this why someone changed to the current side mount to avoid this hassle?

 

[grandpa Love]

That's correct, battery goes in the box then the box slides into place,sorta under the gas tank. ........but having the correct battery box in the correct location does look good.

 

[William Eccles - Jardine]

The battery on my Farmall B is mounted on an open bracket to the left side of the tractor below the original box location. I have a new replacement for the original box , but it seems like mounting it in its correct location could be a pain with the gas tank in the way. And won't it require taking the box off to get the battery out? Plus lifting the box with the battery in it to this location seems like it's going to be a little awkward or am I missing something? Is it worth it, or is this why someone changed to the current side mount to avoid this hassle?

I had one that was made for me with a left Side panel that removes. The box is the same as the original top is the same and when closed it all looks the same as original. You could / if you have access to a welder/ modify the one you have to create a side opening box and still look original.
All that holds your box closed is a pin on the front [ rad side] just back of the edge so it is not noticeable a formed clip on the bottom inside that catches the bottom flange and a # 10 bolt in the top right corner with a nut welded in side to hold that corner tight.
As I said it still looks original and is easy to access the battery when needed.
I could text you some pictures if you like. [my email is open.]
Wm.

 

[rbrandel]

That certainly would make it a little easier to access the battery. I may look at my box again. Attempting to slide the box in and out empty was tough enough and I felt I was hitting, bending or pushing against every rod, cable and painted surface on half the tractor. Then I took it out and loaded the battery in the box, but after lifting and tilting it to slide in place, decided to slow down and think this out a little longer. The current mount isn't bad (but not very secure) and the tractor is mostly sitting.

 

[William Eccles - Jardine]

That certainly would make it a little easier to access the battery. I may look at my box again. Attempting to slide the box in and out empty was tough enough and I felt I was hitting, bending or pushing against every rod, cable and painted surface on half the tractor. Then I took it out and loaded the battery in the box, but after lifting and tilting it to slide in place, decided to slow down and think this out a little longer. The current mount isn't bad (but not very secure) and the tractor is mostly sitting.

yes you may text me @519 615 0412 and I can send back to you some pictures.
Wm.

 

[wh]

Have built several boxes for H/M tractors. Always make the side removable. No fiddling with sliding the box out or lifting battery over side. Easier to keep box clean also. You could cut the side of new box neatly and make it same way.

 

[Dave BN]

Yes those box's are hard to work with and the holes for the bottom mounts need to be filed elongated to get the bolts in. I always tie the clutch pedal down as that's in the way. But that should be the only thing in the way. Then put the battery in the box and put the box in place
Dave

 

[Jim Becker]

As Dave just said, the intended path for removing/installing the battery box is to the right side. You need to hold the clutch pedal down to get it out of the way. The mounting clips on the bottom of the box are in the way of going out to the left. All these parts are identical to the ones on an A, where the left fender would also be in the way to go to the left. Yes, the battery and box have to be removed together unless you turn the box into multiple pieces.

 

[rbrandel]

Uh oh. I've been going through the left side! Thought that with the clutch in the way on the right side, the left was the only way to go. Didn't think of tying the clutch down. I may owe an apology to the 1947 Farmall engineers.

 

[rbrandel]

Got the battery box in. No problem from right side, even with the final pushing down on the clutch done while sitting in the seat and giving a final nudge with my left hand. But with the lid on, I'm rubbing on the throttle rod pretty tightly. Not sure how much clearance is expected. Also, I have a fairly large custom starter knob that hits the side of the box. I"m also going to probably need new battery cables to run conveniently to the new position. May go back to the side mount. At least for a while.

 

[Jim Becker]

But with the lid on, I'm rubbing on the throttle rod pretty tightly. Not sure how much clearance is expected.

Without going and looking at one to see what looks about right, I'm going to say there was never much clearance at that point. I don't think it should be in contact, but many of them probably are.

 

[Athol Carr]

With the Super A you also have to remove the starter rod etc. to slide the box out to the right. IH never seemed to think about maintenance, just think about changing brake bands on the Farmalls A, B and Cub!

 

[rbrandel]

I

Without going and looking at one to see what looks about right, I'm going to say there was never much clearance at that point. I don't think it should be in contact, but many of them probably are.

It's close, but I think the rubbing might be from some bending of the rod. Plus, I've not secured the lid with the screws that came with it and that might compress the rubber cushions in the lid a little more. The starter knob was customized and looks pretty nice with iH engraved. I'ts about 3 inches wide though and I don't see how I can make it fit the starter rod with the box in place.

 

[Jim Becker]

The original starter rod was foot activated. I don't believe it was long enough to be in the way of removing the battery. As Athol said, the Super A rod extended past the battery to the side of the panel. I think the control rod for the Touch-Control was in the way too (Athol's "etc.").

 

[rbrandel]

It's a pretty long reach for me to fully depress the starter with my left hand. I've tried to use my foot occasionally but found it's hard not to bend the rod with my foot as the tendency is to push down rather than forward. Not sure how many variations may have been made to this tractor over the years with who knows how many owners it's gone through. I'll try to get some photos to help show what I'm dealing with.

 

[Chris NW Ind]

My B has the foot starter rod so that isn't in the way. Besides holding clutch pedal all the way down, I found I have to pull the throttle lever all the way back to get clearance. I pull it way back, out of the quadrant. I put the cover on after the box is in place. Pretty awkward location.