Farmall B Generator Belt Starting Problems

[tshlance]

I have a couple of issues with my B. It is a 6volt, and I am having starting problem. I can only get the engine to turn over 1 revolution (if that). When starting. I have cleaned all connections, charged battery, etc..

I am wondering if the engine could be too hard to spin for the starter?

Checking out this possibility, I decided to loosen the generator belt. It is very tight, and see if this frees up the engine/starter. The problem is the belt is tight and the generator has no more travel to loosen. So I have no idea how the belt was put on to begin with. Doe the radiator need to be pulled to put belts on? Should the generator have more travel? Many questions thanks for reading.

tshlance

 

[gene bender]

Start with the sw on top of the starter. Then refresh the starter brushes ect. Gen belt has nothing to do with starting engine. Mite also need to put new 1ga cables on.Just because the connections are clean doesent mean the cables are good. The B with 6v will start inall kinds of weather but things need to be in good shape. Ive had those tractors for 50 plus yrs and have 10 now As and Bs,BNs. Quick check is when you try to start feel the connections on both ends of your cables if you find one warm at the connection that is a bad cable usually.

 

[mkirsch]

There is no need to remove anything, not even the hood, to change the belts. Taking the hood off does make it a bit more convenient, but it is not absolutely necessary.

Simply loosen the generator mounting bolts and swing it in toward the engine to remove the generator belt. It may be necessary to detach the top brace entirely to get enough swing.

To remove the fan belt, loosen the big nut behind the fan assembly and slide it down in the slot.

You may need to work a little to get the belts off because there isn't a huge amount of adjustment. Just put a little muscle into it.

 

[El Toro]

Check the specific gravity using a hydrometer on each cell to see what readings you're getting. Should see around 1.275 on a fully charged battery. If one cell is very low like 1.100 you have a dead battery cell and you need to replace the battery.

If the specific gravity readings look ok replace your battery cables with 00 cables that have soldered lugs. Clean all connections until they're shiny and that includes where your battery is grounded. Don't use cables any longer than necessary. As Gene mentioned your generator belt has nothing to do with your starting. Hal

 

[Wayne in MN]

Is the ignition timing advanced and fighting the starter?

 

[tshlance]

I have ordered a new starter switch. The Cable were a little warm. New cables and New battery are my next step. Thanks for your help.

 

[David G]

I would see if it cranks OK with the ignition off. That will tell you if it is a timing or cranking issue. The timing is not the issue at this point in your troubleshooting process if it still does not crank.

 

[old]

Pull the plugs out and try to spin it over. If it spins easy then you know it is not a belt that is to tight. Also watch for fluid to come out of any of the plug holes and if it does you could have a problem with a head gasket or you may have some water in the cylinder hyd locking it

 

[gene bender]

You dont loosen the big nut it slides in a slot you put a wrench in front of the mount and loosen the shaft as the nut is not supposed to turn unless someone who didnt know how to do it and rounded the corners of the nut.

 

[Dave_Id]

I'll have to agree with Gene. I'll bet your battery cables are too small diameter. He says at least 1 aught size, I'd go up to double aught.

 

[Russ from MN]

Do you have a crank for it? I think they all came with one. With a crank you can get the feel of the engine. Does it pull start? If you pull start it you can verify that the engine is OK. Use a set of jumper cables to bypass the battery cables. Don't just start throwing parts at it until you have some idea where the problem is!

 

[Anonymous-0]

I would make sure the new battery is good. Then check cables as said by others.The switch can be taken off and cleaned.That old of a tractor the starter may be dragging.As for the generator loosen thr big nut on the back side of fan andjust loosen the bolts on gen. Then remove the belt from gen and slip it under the fan belt and over the fan blades.Put the new belt on reversing the way it came off. Tighten the fan belt first and then do the gen.