John Deere LA engine controls

[2 Fingers]

Thank you in advance for all replies. I'm working on a 1946 John Deere LA that isn't necessarily a basket case, but it came to me missing a handful of parts. I need a little help figuring out where all of the engine controls land. The starter rod and throttle control are where they're supposed to be, but I can't figure out where the choke, kill switch, and light switch go. I'm guessing the light switch goes by the ammeter. Do the choke and kill switch go next to the throttle and starter?

 

[rustred]

Well I can’t see a thing to give an answer.

 

[2 Fingers]

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures and am not currently a position to get any.

 

[JOCCO]

Thank you in advance for all replies. I'm working on a 1946 John Deere LA that isn't necessarily a basket case, but it came to me missing a handful of parts. I need a little help figuring out where all of the engine controls land. The starter rod and throttle control are where they're supposed to be, but I can't figure out where the choke, kill switch, and light switch go. I'm guessing the light switch goes by the ammeter. Do the choke and kill switch go next to the throttle and starter?

On mine choke is right by the throttle rod. My kill switch is on the panel by the amp meter and so is the light switch. Tip there is a spring in the throttle rod make sure its there. Some people mount the kill switch on the steering post or on the guard by throttle rod. (easy access) There is also a cable on mine from throttle rod to carb (it can cause lots of swearing)!

 

[Tx Jim]

I drove an LA several hrs/days back in the early 1950's putting trailer loads of oats in a barn. I remember throttle control rod had teeth on it to hold rod at set engine speed. I don't remember that LA having a choke cable. LA operators manual I just downloaded wasn't very helpful.

 

[2 Fingers]

On mine choke is right by the throttle rod. My kill switch is on the panel by the amp meter and so is the light switch. Tip there is a spring in the throttle rod make sure its there. Some people mount the kill switch on the steering post or on the guard by throttle rod. (easy access) There is also a cable on mine from throttle rod to carb (it can cause lots of swearing)!

Thanks Jocco, that's the kind of information I've been looking for. As Tx Jim mentions, the operators manual is scarce on information. Even the part manual and tech manual aren't much help in regard to the location of the controls. The LA that I'm working on has 3 holes at the back of the hood, one for the ammeter, and two smaller ones. There's also 3 holes and a notch at the furthest rear of the sheet metal, a notch for the throttle (the spring is present on mine), a hole for the starter rod, and two additional holes. You're also right about the throttle cable between the throttle rod and governor. This tractor was missing said cable so I made use of a chunk of control cable that I found laying around the shop. I had to build my own brackets and use my imagination as to how they mounted, but in the end I think I have something that will work. Getting the control cable to bend around the clutch housing and line up with the throttle rod so it will extend and contract smoothly was my biggest challenge. Common sense tells me that the choke, throttle, starter and kill switch should all be located at the operators station within easy reach, but I'm unsure of what Mother Deere intended. I've seen a handful of restored L's and LA's, but this is the first one that I've ever gotten to know on a mechanical level, and I'm under the impression that Deere built these on an economy scale, as they are rough in construction and definitely without frills.

 

[JOCCO]

Thanks Jocco, that's the kind of information I've been looking for. As Tx Jim mentions, the operators manual is scarce on information. Even the part manual and tech manual aren't much help in regard to the location of the controls. The LA that I'm working on has 3 holes at the back of the hood, one for the ammeter, and two smaller ones. There's also 3 holes and a notch at the furthest rear of the sheet metal, a notch for the throttle (the spring is present on mine), a hole for the starter rod, and two additional holes. You're also right about the throttle cable between the throttle rod and governor. This tractor was missing said cable so I made use of a chunk of control cable that I found laying around the shop. I had to build my own brackets and use my imagination as to how they mounted, but in the end I think I have something that will work. Getting the control cable to bend around the clutch housing and line up with the throttle rod so it will extend and contract smoothly was my biggest challenge. Common sense tells me that the choke, throttle, starter and kill switch should all be located at the operators station within easy reach, but I'm unsure of what Mother Deere intended. I've seen a handful of restored L's and LA's, but this is the first one that I've ever gotten to know on a mechanical level, and I'm under the impression that Deere built these on an economy scale, as they are rough in construction and definitely without frills.

Depends on your wiring I did my own, small 12v alternator 2 lights. You are right they were built on budget for small farmers upgrading from a horse. I have worked on a few and have my own (for years) There were many options and a lot of variation in them. Some magnetos had a ground button on the body itself may have been the only stop feature back in the day. Any more questions just ask. They are a fun little tractor.

 

[Watthour]

This is a '41 LA with no lighting - Just an ammeter and ignition switch, plus the cast iron start lever forward of the shifter.