TO-35 Starting Issue

[maxwell99]

I have a TO-35 1957, with gas Z134 engine.

I have rebuilt the carb and done a tuneup.

The tractor runs great, no black smoke, pulls good, idles at 400 rpm's and starts great after the first startup in the morning.

So you can see why I am hesitant to start adjusting the carb.

Problem: on the first startup of the day and it just cool now, not cold. The tractor starts right up, but may only run 15-20 seconds then starts to die, I can choke it and keep it runing, but it may have to be started 2 or 3 times before it starts to smooth out and run without my hand right on the choke.

Seems to be what my dad called (cold collared) I really do not know what that means, but I assume it was a motor that had to have some choke until it warmed up a bit.

After the first start up then the old motor run and pulls like a champ.

I am just concerned when winter gets here it may run the battery down having to start it 2 or 3 times until i can get it running smooth.

any thoughts:

Fred

 

[Bruce(OR)]

Your possibly running a bit lean.
You might try leaning on the choke as much as needed to keep the engine running while cold until warmed up. My To-20 wants the choke pulled at least two or three times before the cylinders are warm enough to keep running. This is a 50 year old machine and not fuel injected. Yet.
You could try different spark plugs of a different heat range but your problem might not warrant anything more than pullinmg on the choke knob once or twice more to keep it running.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Remember this is a 1950ish technology engine and it won"t behave like your modern car.

It might be due to the procedure you"re using. If your pto is engaged are you holding the clutch down during the start cycle AND the warm up period? If you keep the clutch pedal down for the initial start up and then release the clutch pedal, you put the cold pump hydraulic load on the engine and that can drag it down and stop it when it"s cold.

It"s not uncommon to have to modulate the choke when starting in cool and cold conditions for a minute or two to keep the engine running.

It"s also not uncommon in cool weather with high humidity to have carb icing occur after a minute or to of running. That"s not your stated problem however.

You can try screwing in the idle air screw to enrich the idle mixture as was common on these era engines in the fall and winter. Just make an eighth a turn adjustment and see if that helps.

 

[MattOney]

Usually when I start our TO-35, I set the throttle to about 3 oclock and pull the choke out with my left hand while hitting the starter button with the right.

After it starts, I hold the choke out about 1/4 travel for 30 seconds and then it"ll be good to go. Starts on the first time, every time and stays running for me.

This is with the transmission in neutral, the range selector in S, and the clutch pushed all the way down.

Hope this helps!

 

[James Marsh]

The comment about using the opposite hand on the choke knob and the starter button sounds like someone has replaced the ignition switch and also swapped the position of the starter button and the ign. switch. My factory operator's manual show's the starter button on the left for both the 35 Special and the 35 Deluxe models with the ignition switch on the right side.

 

[Tony in Mass.]

Sounds like you need a couple spring clothes pins, clip them on the choke cable, a couple minutes later, take one off, then the other when ready, like your father said, it is 'cold blooded', so don't go re adjust anything if it runs good the rest of the time.