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Old Aug 11, 2004 | 11:51 AM
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Question Tractors 101

Okay got a mid 70's Ford backhoe and loader. It hasant been started for over a year. I go to start it. Nothing. I charge the battery. Still nothing. The indiacaotr light on the dash lights up but thats it. I cant even get the starter to turn at all. Whats wrong with this thing? I sprayed some oil on the negative ground wire connection. I also have a new battery in it now and I still cant get the starter to turn at all. There isnt even any clicking or anyhing.


Thanks in advance
 
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Old Aug 11, 2004 | 12:13 PM
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clutch safety switch, perhaps? It may be corroded. You could try jumping the starter solenoid, just be real sure the trans is in neutral. My uncle does that all the time to start his, too lazy and cheap to fix it right.
 
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Old Aug 11, 2004 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by fellro86
...just be real sure the trans is in neutral...
I will echo that: Make REAL SURE that the tranny is in neutral!

It could be the ignition switch, also.

Pull the cal and see if mice have eaten any (or all) of the ignition wiring.
 
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Old Aug 11, 2004 | 01:28 PM
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For now I'd agree with fellro86, the safty switch is first on the list.
 
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Old Aug 11, 2004 | 03:14 PM
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yeah now that I think of it ill bet youall are right. I mean there is absoultey no response I will check the cluch safety switch and see whats up. Oh yeah its a 3 clylinder disel.
 
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Old Aug 11, 2004 | 03:32 PM
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. Where is the clutch safety switch located?
 
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Old Aug 11, 2004 | 04:20 PM
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IF (BIG IF) it like 70's International tractors look on the lowerside of the clutch peddle, it will have a small arm that swings down when the clutch is depressed (little like the seat safety switch on a riding mower). Otherwise start tracing wires to that area. Sorry I'm not that well versed on Ford tractors.
 
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Old Aug 11, 2004 | 06:40 PM
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Thanks. I will check the clucht safety swith. I am currently replacing the battery cables as they are severly corroded and damaged. I think they are the culprit and are not letting power through to the starter. Thanks to the mice many wires are damaged now and need repalcing. Can battery cables cause a problem like this?
 
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Old Aug 11, 2004 | 07:40 PM
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Oh yeah, battery cables have a tendance to corrode from the inside out. When they start showin it they're toast.
 
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Old Aug 11, 2004 | 08:45 PM
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I may be mistaken but I don't believe that you will find a safety switch on the clutch. Depending on the model and transmission you have, the safety switch may well be on the trans. As a service tech/Service Manager at a (formerly Ford...) New Holland dealer I see alot of the older tractors, but the vast majority are ag tractors...not industrial. Ford ag units used a safety switch on a shift rail in the trans.

If you don't figure it out, let us know what model and trans you have, and other details to identify it, and I might be able to help.
 
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Old Aug 11, 2004 | 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by fellro86
clutch safety switch, perhaps? It may be corroded. You could try jumping the starter solenoid, just be real sure the trans is in neutral. My uncle does that all the time to start his, too lazy and cheap to fix it right.
Might cost more than its worth to do that depending on what it is.

Most of my work garden tractors have to get jumped because it aint worth putting a battery in something that was given to me, and chances are when it dies, I'm gonna put it in the woods anyway--except for my JD's. They get the full going over with a fine tooth comb.
 
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Old Aug 12, 2004 | 03:34 AM
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I was referring to taking a screwdriver and placing it across the terminals on the starter. Burned a tractor up that way, the arc sent a spark into the alfalfa dust around the starter, then ignited all the oil and grease on it. Now he's doing it to another tractor the same way.
 
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Old Aug 12, 2004 | 08:04 PM
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Well I replaced the battery cables today and nothing happened. How can I test the startter solendiond to see if its burned? Also the only other possiblity is the igntion switch, how do I test that?

Thanks
 
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Old Aug 12, 2004 | 08:16 PM
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As you sit in the seat, right in front of you down on the tranny is a switch that looks like an oil pressure sender or brake light switch, I cant remember if there is only one conductor going to it or two. if only one then ground it and try the starter, if two then connect them together then try the starter. I just went down to the barn, the switch is right next to the gearshift where it goes into the top of the tranny - it does have two conductors, connect them together and you take that swicth out of the circuit - be careful because if it fires it might be in gear
Good Luck if you can get it running those things are tanks - run forever and just absorb abuse
 

Last edited by oakcrkcynranch; Aug 12, 2004 at 09:00 PM. Reason: confirm switch wiring
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Old Aug 13, 2004 | 10:41 AM
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Okay I see the switch you are reffering too, right next to the gearshifts. But what switch is it? I will need to clean it first before I try anything.
 
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