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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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Magneto Non Magneto?

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Cityboy-McCoy

09-09-2005 05:39:06




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Would someone please be so kind as to explain when the letter series tractors went from magneto to battery type ignitions? Was it a certain year, or was the type of ignition system an option, or was it determined by something else?




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Jim Becker

09-10-2005 09:34:49




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 Re: Magneto Non Magneto? in reply to Cityboy-McCoy, 09-09-2005 05:39:06  
When battery igniton became standard equipment depended on the model in question. If battery ignition was standard, it cost MORE to get a magneto in place of it.

For example, in 1954 the Cub had a magneto as standard equipment. The code 1 version of the tractor included battery ignition, starter and lights for $61.50. At the same time, the Super A listed battery igniton, starter and lights as standard equipment. A magneto was an option for $30. A magneto with the starter and lights deleted could be ordered with a $50 credit.

This is straight out of the 1954 price list.

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Cityboy-McCoy

09-11-2005 04:42:15




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 Re: Magneto Non Magneto? in reply to Jim Becker, 09-10-2005 09:34:49  
Very helpful. Thank you, all.
mike durhan



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CNKS

09-09-2005 20:21:10




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 Re: Magneto Non Magneto? in reply to Cityboy-McCoy, 09-09-2005 05:39:06  
Looked at Guy Fay's Letter Series Book--and will retract the statements about my 47 M and 48 C having standard battery ignition. Guy states on page 17 that the battery ignition on the Super A and C became STANDARD (magneto became an option) on April 15, 1949; H and HV April 21, 1949; M and 6 series (not industrials) May 10, 1949; W9 and WR9 Dec 9, 1949; I6 May 23, 1950. Guy says "The new ignition systems were voltage regulated, and contained as standard the starting and lighting system, meaning that if you didn't want these two options, you probably had to order the magneto system, although this is not clear. At the same time the battery ignition was standardized, the starting and lighting systems for the magneto tractors were also changed in order to use as many of the components of the new systems as possible." Since Guy says battery ignition (distributers) became standard in 1949, the implication that I interpret is that, as Rusty says, they were never an option, but Guy does not specifically say that. I had forgotten that the 48 C I purchased earlier this year that has a distributer, also has the LHDB light switch, which a tractor with a standard distributer should not have-- this means it had a mag to begin with. I assume my 47 M is the same way, but it had a 12 volt alternator when I bought it and the lights are missing, so I never mess with the switch. Should have looked at the book first, my apologies to Rusty, who is correct more often than I am.

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Cityboy-McCoy

09-10-2005 02:06:02




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 Re: Magneto Non Magneto? in reply to CNKS, 09-09-2005 20:21:10  
Dear CNKS:
Thanks. Great information.
Mike



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RN

09-09-2005 19:29:56




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 Re: Magneto Non Magneto? in reply to Cityboy-McCoy, 09-09-2005 05:39:06  
Letter series during war years 1942- 1945 basic mag with some battery starters, most crank start. post war to about 1950 standard mag no lights cheapest, mag with lights and starter next price, battery ignition top price. Dealers/farmers upgraded with upright Delco ditributor about same as AC, factory was horizontal shaft. Except for war years battery ignition was available on order but pricing and user preference had magneto ignition available during most production. Archives note Super c, Super H with no lights, magnetoes, Southern farmers ordering cheapest basic tractor from dealers for hired help use. Family M original war production upgraded to 2 brush generator with regulator, Delco upright distributor, and large lights. Neighbors early 1950s H had mag, threebrush generator with cutout to charge battery, small running light added.

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Cityboy-McCoy

09-09-2005 19:54:25




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 Re: Magneto Non Magneto? in reply to RN, 09-09-2005 19:29:56  
Thank you, sir.
Mike



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Andy Martin

09-09-2005 06:32:44




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 Re: Magneto Non Magneto? in reply to Cityboy-McCoy, 09-09-2005 05:39:06  
Magneto started out as standard, battery ignition was an option. Once you had the lighting option with the generator and battery it was easy to go to battery ignition.

The advantages of battery ignition are many:

The tractor won't run without a battery

You get to change points regularly

The tractor is harder to start when turning over slowly

If you've got a dumb old magneto, you can legitimately change to battery ignition on any letter series tractor, and I'll take your old magneto free of charge.

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Jim Becker

09-09-2005 19:15:18




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 Re: Magneto Non Magneto? in reply to Andy Martin, 09-09-2005 06:32:44  
When the letter series was introduced, all tractors came with magnetos. The IH battery ignition units started being installed on the tractors in 1950, with maybe a few models in '49. I don't know if it was standard on any models, but on at least some it was an option. It was an option in the sense that ANY electrical equipment (starter, lights) was an option. However, the typical tractor was ordered with an electrical package that included starter, lights and battery ignition. The practical result was that virtually all domestic tractors came with battery ignition as soon as it was available. Export tractors were more likely to have a magneto and no other electrical equipment.

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Cityboy-McCoy

09-09-2005 19:55:55




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 Re: Magneto Non Magneto? in reply to Jim Becker, 09-09-2005 19:15:18  
Thank you.
Mike



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RustyFarmall

09-09-2005 11:02:03




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 Re: Magneto Non Magneto? in reply to Andy Martin, 09-09-2005 06:32:44  
No, not quite right. Battery ignition was never offered as an option. All letter series Farmalls had a magneto up until 1950 or later, and then they all had the battery ignition. Most of the letter series Farmalls were upgraded to the later style ignition, either by a dealer or by the owner.



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CNKS

09-09-2005 14:40:58




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 Re: Magneto Non Magneto? in reply to RustyFarmall, 09-09-2005 11:02:03  
I have a 48 C, 47 M, 50 C, all with a distributer. Yes they could have been upgraded, but as reliable as a mag is, I don't know why anyone would have wanted to. My thinking is that sometime in the mid-late 40's the distributer was an option, later the mag was the option. But, I have no proof--do you?



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Cityboy-McCoy

09-09-2005 06:50:27




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 Re: Magneto Non Magneto? in reply to Andy Martin, 09-09-2005 06:32:44  
Hmmmmm ! I ain't THAT much of a cityboy. But, thanks for the information. (Sincerely, thanks for the help.) I guess one would assume that by about 1950, most if not all the letter series tractors had battery ignitions(?)



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