Farmall H starting problems

Here is a simple test.

This method supplies voltage to the ignition with no connection to the regular battery. Jumper a different battery (observe the polarity of the system by grounding the same terminal on this jumping battery as on the regular battery) to the terminal on the supply side of the coil (from the switch, not the terminal with wire going to the distributor)

Leave the switch off.

Hit the starter and spin the engine. Ill bet it starts up instantly.

The coil, condenser, or points may be bad. Start by replacing the points/condenser. Adjust them to .020" when fully open. If the issue still persists, try a different coil.

Starter motor drag can also cause this symptom by reducing voltage till it can't find enough spark ti light off, but you indicated it spins freely. Good luck, JimN

However, what's happening is a classic sign of a weak ignition system, and POSSIBLY a battery with a weak cell, or even a starter that has worn bushings, and is "dragging" a bit.

When you pull-start the tractor, the full battery voltage is available to the ignition system, and, obviously, it then has a hot enough spark to start the engine.

When you use the starter, the battery voltage is drawn down by the load of the starter, making less voltage available to the ignition system, and the spark is then too weak to "fire" the engine.

Post back with what type of electrical system you have, original, or 12-Volt conversion.

On the odd chance it has a mag, if the mag's impulse has failed, spark would be weak while cranking with the starter, and HOTTER when pulled, with the engine turning faster.

brand new Battery, Starter and good fat new cables from the battery + to the starter switch to the starter, my belief is with a Magneto if the motor is turning it is making its own spark , am I right?

the only thing i just thought of is that the ground wire may be one of the 12 volt type that you all say stay away from ? Thanks all

I should of said that it has a Magneto, and 6 volts

brand new Battery, Starter and good fat new cables from the battery + to the starter switch to the starter, my belief is with a Magneto if the motor is turning it is making its own spark , am I right?

the only thing i just thought of is that the ground wire may be one of the 12 volt type that you all say stay away from ? Thanks all