New starter works great!

[cdahl383]

Haven't had my Cub out in several months. Figured I'd get it out yesterday since it warmed up and I needed to move it out of the garage to clean and get my snowblower out, etc. I thought the battery might be dead or need a charge. I checked the oil, checked the fuel tank, and then cranked it over with the choke on. I don't know if the engine barely turned over and then it was running!

This "new" used starter I put on the tractor is great! I never realized how bad my old starter was. That's probably why it was hard to fire up in the winter last year. The starter was just weak and tired. Hopefully this year I'll have no issues with firing it up in the cold if I need to plow snow, etc.

Do any of you in colder climates have issues cranking your Cubs over with the original 6V system? I think my issues last year were just due to the starter, not the thicker oil or 6V system.

I took the tractor out for a little ride around on the property and then down the dirt road near me. I think it was happy to stretch its legs!

 

[Peter Person]

No issues here in northern Connecticut. I have a NOCO Genius 1 hooked up to the battery full-time. Even after sitting for a couple of months, my 57 will come to life after a few seconds.
I also use a magnetic heater on the oil pan.

 

[cdahl383]

No issues here in northern Connecticut. I have a NOCO Genius 1 hooked up to the battery full-time. Even after sitting for a couple of months, my 57 will come to life after a few seconds.
I also use a magnetic heater on the oil pan.

Which magnetic heater do you use? That's not a bad idea.

 

[Peter Person]

Which magnetic heater do you use? That's not a bad idea.

Kat's Engine Heater

 

[Don McCombs]

I suspect that part of your starter problems may have been insufficient grounding. Proper grounding is critical for 6V systems. In disconnecting and reconnecting things during the installation of the new starter, you probably polished up some surfaces, thereby improving the grounding.

 

[cdahl383]

I suspect that part of your starter problems may have been insufficient grounding. Proper grounding is critical for 6V systems. In disconnecting and reconnecting things during the installation of the new starter, you probably polished up some surfaces, thereby improving the grounding.

The old starter gear was all chewed up and it was missing a part that the new used one had. I did clean up all the mating surfaces really good as I know that's how it grounds itself to the tractor. Someone had painted over everything previously, so maybe that was part of the issue. I sanded everything really good and got the mating surfaces nice and shiny/clean. I think now it starts like how it always should have before. I just didn't know any better at the time since this was my first tractor.

 

[staninlowerAL]

The old starter gear was all chewed up and it was missing a part that the new used one had............... I just didn't know any better at the time since this was my first tractor.

Just FYI, Cub starter parts are valuable so it's advisable to keep the old one. The armature alone is worth more than $100 (if you can find one) because they are obsolete and NLA according to the local rebuild shop the last time I checked. JMHO Stan

 

[cdahl383]

Just FYI, Cub starter parts are valuable so it's advisable to keep the old one. The armature alone is worth more than $100 (if you can find one) because they are obsolete and NLA according to the local rebuild shop the last time I checked. JMHO Stan

I still have the old one. I don't plan on getting rid of it. If anything, I'll find a place locally that can rebuild it so I have a good spare.

I'm getting to the stage in life where I keep lots of stuff. Screws, bolts, wood, cardboard sheets, spare parts, etc. Then I have a good inventory of stuff in case I ever need anything. Most of my blocks of wood I use in the garage came from stuff we had delivered in crates or pallets or something like that haha!

 

[inairam]

I have no issues starting 6 volt cubs or my 6v 130 in the winter without a block heater. 6 volt batteries usually have more CCA than the same size battery 12 volters. Make sure both cables are in good shape, AWG 2 in size, and the ground has a good connection. I also use Sta Bil 360 Marine Fuel Stabilizer all year round to reduce water and ethanol in the fuel system.

One thing that has come up is I have had frozen transmissions. The engine starts, but you can not move without stalling the engine. Change the oil in the trans before it gets really cold. But I am in SE PA and we do get really cold for long periods every year, only occasionally. Others in colder areas may have other suggestions and or different issues.

 

[Don McCombs]

Install a magnetic block heater on your transmission.

 

[cdahl383]

I have no issues starting 6 volt cubs or my 6v 130 in the winter without a block heater. 6 volt batteries usually have more CCA than the same size battery 12 volters. Make sure both cables are in good shape, AWG 2 in size, and the ground has a good connection. I also use Sta Bil 360 Marine Fuel Stabilizer all year round to reduce water and ethanol in the fuel system.

One thing that has come up is I have had frozen transmissions. The engine starts, but you can not move without stalling the engine. Change the oil in the trans before it gets really cold. But I am in SE PA and we do get really cold for long periods every year, only occasionally. Others in colder areas may have other suggestions and or different issues.

When I first bought the tractor a few years ago, the guy had a 12V battery in it, but it was still using the original 6V system. He had little dinky cables on it for a 12V battery. I bought a 6V battery and tried to start it. It didn't even turn over. I learned about the thicker battery cables on here. I bought some nice new 00 size battery cables. They're really thick and heavy. It starts just fine now that I have those and the new starter on there.

Why would the transmission freeze? That would seem to indicate water was present in the oil? Is your tractor parked outside where it can get rained on? I've heard of water getting into the transmission via the shifter if left outside. Or maybe just condensation builds up? I run 80w90 gear oil in the transmission. I haven't experienced a frozen transmission yet in the winter, but my Cub sits inside my garage. It's not heated or insulated, but it's out of the elements and usually 10 degrees warmer than outside. We get single digit temps occasionally and sometimes below zero, but generally the coldest we get is in the teens at night. Generally we're in the 20's to 30's during most of the winter.

 

[staninlowerAL]

.................Why would the transmission freeze? That would seem to indicate water was present in the oil?..................

Yup, either condensation or infiltrated or both. Also at freezing temps the gear oil in the transmission is like pouring molasses syrup on a cold winter day. As Don McCombs said, put a magnetic block heater there. JMHO Stan

 

[inairam]

My tractor are outside. If you have yours in a garage, I do not think you will have the moisture issues in the trans. Just change the oil in the trans every few few years

 

[Peter S]

My tractors also live outside and I had water in the transmission issues as well. I just took a section of an old motorcycle tube and slid it over the shifter while not in use and no more water issues.