Farmall M Starter Switch Pin

SadFarmall · Jan 5, 2012

My 'new' 1947 Farmall M is missing the pin for the starter switch. Not sure if this arrangement was used in the U.S., but hoping to find a replacement pin! The switch is located directly behind the steering post and the pin is meant to fit through the angled hole in the post. Any help appreciated.
SadFarmall

willie in mn · Jan 5, 2012

There may be other methods, but this is what I would do.
Looks like 5/16 or 3/8 inch hole. Paw around in junk box to find the following parts- carriage bolt of proper length, small coil spring, 2 washers, & nut or cotter pin.
With your grinder, round off the end of bolt where it contacts the switch. Place spring then 1 washer on bolt, insert through hole in post, then a washer & nut. Use a dab of thread locker to hold nut, or if space permits, use a second nut to lock. Or drill 1/8 inch hole near end of bolt & insert cotter pin.
If you can find the parts in junk box, no cash spent. If you have to buy new parts, not more than 2 bucks. Time required-15 minutes, or 30 minutes if you stop to sip a beverage. The spring is to hold the bolt back & prevent vibration from rubbing a hole in end of start switch.

IAtractorKid · Jan 5, 2012

Good luck finding one of those pins! I have been looking for a while myself with no luck. As the other post said, use a bolt and spring or use a piece of rod and make your own...

mike1972chev · Jan 5, 2012

That is a great idea willie!

You could even install a fancy knob/button with the correct threads on top of that bolt if you were REALLY concerned on how "pretty" it looked?

rustyfarmall · Jan 5, 2012

Nothing special about that pin. A long 1/4" carriage head bolt with the threads cut off will do just fine. Drill a hole through the bolt so the hole is exposed after the pin is installed, and then insert a cotter pin to keep the whole thing from bouncing out.

D Slater · Jan 5, 2012

SadFarmall I used a early tractor with that pin as a kid and older. Didn't seem real hard to operate as a kid but after the foot and rest increased in size it wasn't to handy to operate.
Think it was a plain 3/8 rod with a cotter pin hole at front of the steering post to keep pin from falling out to rear. Don't think the pin ever had a head but was worn from use. Part # of pin Q1249.
After hydraulic seats were offered in the US a clamp was used on the steering post with a lever pushed by foot to operate the switch. Early hydraulic seat attachments came with the starter lever. Most pins are long gone in the US. Could probably count on one hand tractors I noticed with a pin in the last 15 years.
Correction, checked my memory and looks like I was mistaken on the plain rod diameter. 5/16 not 3/8.

SadFarmall · Jan 5, 2012

Thanks for information! I have always hand stated the 1939 M at the farm. My Dad told me that people used to drive tractors in bare feet and that the starter pin was sufficiently narrow to cause considerable discomfort when pushing it in to start.
SadFarmall

Farmall M Starter Switch Pin

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willie in mn

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mike1972chev

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D Slater

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