Farmall M starter button question

BigTone · May 16, 2012

I have the foot activated starter button (12 volt generator/battery) and Ive replaced the button twice and now the button is sticking and wont disengage on its own.

I am going to get the H starter button mount so I can put it next to the light box. What i need to know is can I route the cables down through the original starter button hole to the starter/battery or do I have to run them to the left? I guess im afraid that the length of the battery cables will to long and ill loose some juice if i run them through the bottom hole...I just kind of wanted them out of the way. any advice is appreciated

Thanks, Anthony

Bouncer · May 16, 2012

I have never even tried to run the down the thru steering post. I have always just made sure I did a tidy job on length and securing them. If you are worried about losing "juice", then don't be. With a 12v system, you will never notice the difference.

randy hall · May 16, 2012

you can't buy a good switch anymore. they have cheapened them up so much they won't last. if you aren't useing your m for a perfect restoration put a solenoid on your starter and use the foot switch to energize the solenoid and it will last forever.

Rootsy · May 16, 2012

(quoted from post at 17:58:40 05/16/12) I have the foot activated starter button (12 volt generator/battery) and Ive replaced the button twice and now the button is sticking and wont disengage on its own.

I am going to get the H starter button mount so I can put it next to the light box. What i need to know is can I route the cables down through the original starter button hole to the starter/battery or do I have to run them to the left? I guess im afraid that the length of the battery cables will to long and ill loose some juice if i run them through the bottom hole...I just kind of wanted them out of the way. any advice is appreciated

Thanks, Anthony

If you have a weak starter, causing a large amperage draw, you'll smoke those switches in a second... BTDT... They'll actually spark and smoke and all kinds of fun & scary stuff...

pete 23 · May 16, 2012

I mounted my switch on the M with the H light bar style mount and it works good. Routing the cable neatly is somewhat of a problem but those switch's work fine with 12 volts. That foot operated mechanism has destroyed so many switch's over the years. I did a lot of modifications to make them push the switch straight instead of cockeyed on customers tractors but on my own I just put it where I wanted it.

Bill Lisbon · May 16, 2012

I change over to a solenoid and I use a small push button (like a Horn Button) to engage starter. I would never go back to that big starter switch.

SadFarmall · May 17, 2012

Well, one of the very rare times where I can say, 'Thank God for Lucas'. My Farmall M has its original Lucas starter switch, still runs at 6 volts and never gives trouble. Of course, the Lucas starter motor is a dreadful device, so I have to use the crank handle from time to time…
SadFarmall

CoopertownBob · May 17, 2012

Randy, can you expand on how to go about doing this? I am still using the starter button from the '40s on mine, but want to save it for a future "proper" resto job.

What type or solenoid and where is it sourced? How is it hooked up to the starter?

I've swapped to 12 volt, but still using the 6 volt starter.

Thanks!

pete 23 · May 17, 2012

Neatest way to use a magnetic switch (some call it a
solenoid) is like they do it on the 300 or 400
model tractors etc. You can mount that switch any
place convenient also. Thing is though, they use an
ign key switch for obvious safety reasons. You can
just run a push button starter button switch from
ign switch or any live terminal to the activating
terminal on the magnetic switch, but any little kid
can get on and pull the ign switch and push starter
button. It is much harder for a tot to operate the old manual push switch.

mkirsch · May 18, 2012

Considering that IH relocated the battery to under the seat for later Super Ms, which is a way longer run, the extra battery cable length for what you want to do will not be an issue.

Farmall M starter button question

BigTone

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Bouncer

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randy hall

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Rootsy

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pete 23

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Bill Lisbon

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SadFarmall

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CoopertownBob

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pete 23

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mkirsch

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