Cub - 12v or 6v

Anonymous-0 · Jul 20, 2008

Just bought my first Farmall Cub, 1961 according to the serial # 219074. Has a Woods mower on it and also got a cultivator.

Tractor runs ok and is in fairly good shape. HOWEVER, it is not charging and I have to pretty often hookup the battery charger since it needs to be fully charge for it to start.

The battery on it is 12 volts, but wires are still going through a regulator and what seems to be a generator. Can not tell if the generator is 6v or 12v. System is not charging the battery since I have to use a charge often.

QUESTIONS - Were 1961 Cubs 6v or 12v?

Did they make 12v generators at that time? If not, is it possible that the previous owner put a 12v battery and left the 6v system? (I bought from a third party who does not seem to know much).

CAN I just rewire and install a 12 v alternator and get rid of the regulator?

Any help or advice will be appreciated, Or reference to any website which will guide me in my quest.

Thanks, David z

tcanthonyii · Jul 20, 2008

Seems to me like 1960 and up were all 12 volt. Yes they did make 12v generators at the time. You can run an alternator and not use a VR. If it was just a 12v batt in a 6v system then I would think you'd have other problems (ie burning up coils and or points etc.

A good test is John T's trouble shooting guide. I just used it tonight to determine my charging problem. http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=farmall&th=665110

Also this article http://www.ytmag.com/articles/artint195.htm altough for M's and on how to convert from 6 to 12, it give you a good idea on how to hook up an older GM alternator to your tractor. I'm getting ready to do the same. but do the whole conversion.

Let us know how you make out.

T.C.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 20, 2008

61 would have been 6 volt pos grd.

Bus Driver · Jul 21, 2008

Cub electrical systems changed from 6 volt to 12 volt during the 1964 model year.

mkirsch · Jul 21, 2008

A Cub should be startable and runnable for weeks on just a single battery charge. It shouldn't need charging just to start, especially on a 12V battery.

If it cranks over slow, take a look at your battery cables. Clean, bright and tight is the name of the game here.

If you crank and crank and crank and crank to get it started, try feathering in a little choke to get some fuel into the cylinders. That's what it's for. You should only need a brief blip of choke. A lot of people these days have gotten so used to fuel injection that they've forgotten how they used to have to go through all sorts of machinations to get their cars started a mere 25 years ago, and just expect to turn the key and go with these old tractors...

Generally when they run fine, it's a matter of starting technique or crusty battery cables.

Dellbertt · Jul 21, 2008

Are the cubs mag or distributer.

Cub - 12v or 6v

Anonymous-0

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tcanthonyii

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Anonymous-0

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Bus Driver

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mkirsch

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Dellbertt

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