New to me cub, won't start

[MurseCole]

Hi there!

My dad just purchased a 1948 cub and had it shipped to us. Overall it seems in fairly good condition, still has all original sheet metal intact and nothing beyond what I would consider normal wear and tear. The shipper said that the seller drove it right on to the trailer. When he went to start it to drive it off, it made a click and then nothing. We charged the battery thinking maybe it didn't have enough of a charge, but still nothing. I am fairly handy but I do not know a lot about electrical systems and I am not even sure where to start. I know the info I need is probably on here somewhere, just not sure exactly what I am looking for. The tractor is still a 6v setup.

Thanks!

[gusbratz]

make sure the connections are clean shiny metal between the battery terminals the battery cables. between the ground and cable. between the starter switch and cable. connections need to be tight and clean. even more important on 6v system.

[staninlowerAL]

Welcome to the forum (best source of information about Farmall Cubs). The problem you are experiencing sounds like a bad electrical connection, could be positive or negitave or both. The cub starter grounds to the chasis of the tractor so make sure it has good metal to metal contact at the mounting to the bell housing. Wire brush and or sandpaper away any rust/paint or anything that could act as an insulator. Clean all battery connections and cables (both ends), make sure they are shiney bright clean. If the positive cable (ground) is not connected to the frame of the tractor, try moving it from the inside of the battery box to a bolt like the transmission cover. If these steps do not get electrical power for the starter to turn, the switch mounted to the starter where the pull rod connects and the battery cable connects might need the contact surfaces inside the switch cleaned or the switch replaced. It is probably not a serious problem, just have to find the place where the electricity is not flowing. Good Luck and keep posting the progress. Stan

[Eugene]

The guys have you pretty well covered. After following their directions and still no start.

The 6 volt battery, have it tested at your local auto parts store. Could very well be in poor condition.

The seller could have jump started the tractor to drive it on to the trailer or van.

[MurseCole]

The seller supposedly put a brand new battery in it for us. It looks new anyways. I hooked my charger up to it and it says charged. I took the connections off the battery and cleaned them. Also cleaned the ground for the positive. The cable for the ground is not in the best shape, but when i was disconnecting it from the frame it was sparking a little. I took the connections off the switch on the starter (the one the pull rod connects to) and cleaned them off. Also took the switch off and cleaned the contacts. Nothing. I notice when I pull the on/off switch out to on the amperes gauge only goes to 2 or 3...what should it go to?

[staninlowerAL]

You can check the starter operation by using booster cables to go directly from the battery to the starter. Connect the jumper cables: positive (ground) post of the battery to one of the bolts that secure the starter to the bell housing and the other jumper cable to the negative at the battery. Remove the switch that you cleaned and touch the other end of the negative cable to the brass post of the starter. If you have good connections and a hot battery your starter will begin to turn. If not, you have a problem with the starter which will require disassembly to troubleshoot. Any good automotive electrical shop should be able to test the starter.

[Don McCombs]

Is the battery a six volt battery?

[sford]

I have had the starter bind in the flywheel. Just try to push it off and pop the clutch and if that is the problem it should free up. Happened to me once.

[MurseCole]

I tried using the cables as stated above...just a lot of sparking when I touch to the contact on the starter. Will try popping the clutch later and see if that helps.

[MurseCole]

After popping the clutch, the starter now sounds like it is spinning up! However, nothing happens beyond that point. Gear in neutral, clutch in, choke out, starter knob pulled out, throttle at 1/3-1/2 and starter just sounds like it's spinning up. Any thoughts? Maybe battery not charged enough for starter to catch? I'm only showing about 3ish on the amperes meter.

[Bill V in Md]

After popping the clutch, the starter now sounds like it is spinning up! However, nothing happens beyond that point. Gear in neutral, clutch in, choke out, starter knob pulled out, throttle at 1/3-1/2 and starter just sounds like it's spinning up. Any thoughts? Maybe battery not charged enough for starter to catch? I'm only showing about 3ish on the amperes meter.

It sounds like the pinion gear on the starter spins but does not move out on the drive shaft and engage the ring gear. You may need a new starter drive.
Have you tried to start the tractor with a hand crank?

[MurseCole]

I am not sure how to start the tractor with a hand crank...I'm not sure if it has one? Or how to do it. Do they make replacement starters?

[Eugene]

Do they make replacement starters?

Yes, actually rebuilt starters.

Disconnect one cable from the battery. Then remove the starter from the tractor.

There should be a shop in your area that repairs starters and generators.

[staninlowerAL]

Do they make replacement starters?

Yes, actually rebuilt starters.

Disconnect one cable from the battery. Then remove the starter from the tractor.

There should be a shop in your area that repairs starters and generators.

This should repair your starter at considerably less cost than replacement. If you decide to try hand cranking the engine, the crank installs in the hole below the radiator and the end with the pin catches in the crankshaft pulley. Replacements are available or you can make one from 5/8" rod. Search the forum for the pattern showing the dimensions.

EDIT: When you remove the starter, check the teeth on the ring gear. I have one that the engine must be turned about 1/4 turn from the position where the starter "spins up" before the starter will engage the flywheel. If you don't have a hand crank and cannot turn the engine with the fan, you can put the transmission in 3rd gear and "advance" the engine by pushing on the rear tire to roll the crankshaft about 1/4 turn.