Farmall Starter

[Bill Brauen]

I have a 1953 Super M converted to 12 volt that needs a starter. I see that someone has a starter on Ebay that was a Farmall 300 starter- 6 volt.

Will this work on my Super M ?

 

[old]

My catalog lists it as different
Hobby farm

 

[marty Johns]

Take it and have it rebuilt, 60.00 bucks and you still are sure you have org. equip.

 

[D Slater]

If you pull a rod to energize starter the 300 will bolt up and work but some changes to tractor would have to be made, because the switch on top of the SM starter won't bolt to top of 300 starter without modification to starter. If your starter uses a foot switch the 300 starter won't bolt on because it has 3 bolt mounting and your tractor would have 2 bolt mount. I have used a 300 starter and put the 2 bolt drive housing on it and used on H M and SM tractors. Starter cable hooks to post the same as 2 bolt starter SM.

 

[BOBM25]

Its more of an issue than whether or not it will bolt on. 12v system will ruin a 6v starter. It will melt the points in the switch. Seen it happen. Many guys will argue this here, but it will. Anybody that gets away with it starts their tractor only a few times a year. Rebuild the one you have. Marty johns is right, 60 bucks should do it. If you don't have one you should be able to get a core at a swap meet or salvage yard for 20 bucks. I've bought several over the last few years. It might be a good one, if it's not it just needs rebuilt. That way you know you have a good starter, no guarantees with the ebay one. 80-100 bucks is actually pretty cheap for a starter that will give years of dependable service. My 2 cents

 

[Anonymous-0]

BobM25- 12volts on a 6 volt starter is not a problem if the ignition system maintained properly so the engine can start without overheating the starter. I average 5-6 years on a starter on a MTA that starts a minimum of four times a day every day of the year for the past 20 years. When I do replace a starter I get a rebuilt from a local parts store as downtime is an issue.

 

[D Slater]

Bob25M, I'm no electrical engineer so I just observe which leads to this question. If switch you refer to is the starting switch, a stage 1 SM and SMD use the same switch and one used 6 V and other 12 V. Stage 2 SM and SMD used switch on starter of similar design and they were 6V and 12 V. Where is the problem with 12 volt on the switches? True the 300 gas starter used a electric energized switch on the starter that was different between 6 and 12 V .
I agree on getting his repaired if possible.

 

[Andy Martin]

I am a mechanical engineer, not electrical, but I'd bet whoever changed the SM to 12v didn't mess with the starter.

You pull a lot less amperage with 12v even spinning the engine faster, and I believe it is amperage that burns contacts. A motor is not like a light bulb. Light bulbs are straight resistance and when you double the voltage you double the amperage. Motors consume enough amperage to put out the horsepower required for the job. Double the voltage and the amperage cuts in halfwith the same load.

As I've said many times, different people have different experiences so that's why we have a difference of opinion on this board. However, any starter that burned the contacts up probably also had the Bendix locked into the ring gear or some other problem.

I drove a '54 Chev well over 10 years with the same old 6v starter so I know I started it at least twice per day (going to work and coming home). Those Delco starters aren't much different than the Farmall starters.

My Farmalls are all 12v with 6v starters, and I only start them a few times a year, baling hay in the summer, then feeding cows in the winter, but they get relatively light duty spring and fall since we quit cropping.

I agree it is cheaper to rebuild what you have.

 

[NDS]

In a perfect world having your old starter rebuilt would be best BUT I have been having starters rebuilt and buying factory rebuilt starters for 50 years and have found factory rebuilt starters to be best. Most shops I have used tend to do just enough to get it going and factory rebuilds are like new throughout if local shop installs all wear items at retail price cost will be much higher than factory rebuilt starter.

 

[Bob M]

My experience has been same as Andy and others below. Farmall 6 volt starters - in good shape - will enjoy long and healthy lives on a diet of 12 volts.

My SM (converted to 12 volts over 25 years ago) continues to start reliably its stock, 6 volt starter. Similarly my first ever 12 volt conversion – a ’56 S180 farm dump – continues soldiering on with it’s original 6 volt starter, with over 30 years of service on 12 volts.

Key is to have the starter in good shape! (If the commutator is burned, the brushes badly worn, etc., converting to 12 volts will only accelerate the starter's inevitible demise...)

Incidentally I've had excellent luck using the local heavy truck starter/alternator shop to rebuild starters for me. Last one I had done (Super H, 6 volt) had ALL wearing parts replaced including the complete armature assembly and contact button. It even got a fresh coat of Farmall red paint! Price out the door was $100.

 

[F-Dean]

Take the existing starter to a rebuilder and tell them that you will be using it on a 12-volt system. This way you will have a new starter for $60-$70 and not have to worry. I have done it to each of my 2 Ms.