Bob M, I need your help

• Elect. photos

Aside from the mag situation, I've had much the same starting problem 3 times in the past 50 years and all with distributor ign. I've had 3 Ampmeters fail and each time the tractor stopped dead in it's tracks. No starter or no fire. The first one was Farmall 300 when it was less than two years old, stopped in the middle of the field baling hay. My 130 did the same about 10 years ago, stopped going down rows cultivating. The 140 I have had the electrical destroyed when I bought it. We did get it running with a series of jump wires, but I had to replace the ampmeter before it would start and run on it's own. I don't remember checking the lights on 300 or 130, however on my 140 the lights did work.

Just something to think about.

Just last year, I went to my shop, 130 was stone dead, switch left on. Now, we wont discuss the stupid old guy that left the switch on. I looked at the points, luckily they must have been open, no damage. This was winter with temps just below freezing. I tried cranking and very quickly saw I had no fire, could tell by the feel of the crank. My jump cables were not at home, so what to do. I had two 8' No. 12 wires with aligator clips, I've used in the past for test work. The 140 was close enough I coupled the two batteries +to+ and -to- with the No.12 wires, back to the crank and she fired right up.

I can tell you, when my 130 and 300 ampmeters went, I did believe initially it was a charging problem. No way, both batteries were at full charge.

Given Bob's usual summer routine and his frequency of attending shows, he probably took steps to insure he wouldn't suffer withdrawal without YT. My guess is at least one show will find the Melville's in attendance.

Having said all this, and the fact Gary Richmond assured me I was half way to his place on a recent visit to Indiana. There are pit stops for trailers and Hs along the way. If and when you get here, I will help you chase Bob down. Bear in mind he may well be back in Rochester by the time we catch up with him. That said, at least you could say you circum-navigated Lake Erie.

If you do this, bring Jimmy along, he may be a bit sore for long days in transit, heck all the more reason he should be taking a vacation. Let me assure you Bob and I can also cook a steer. Well maybe it would fall in the hands of Marg. and Glenda. I don't know much about Bob's cooking ability, personally I boil water quite well. However, rest assured these ladies have the cooking ability to make a baseball bat gain weight.

I there is no volts, the cable or switch is bad, or the ground cable is bad. Test all connections back to the battery for volts Switch on when it is in the circuit. It is that simple.

If it has a mag, do the take the wire off thing and then try it. JimN