super m ta starter problems

First not wanting to go 12 volt. Plan on origional yet working. Bought tractor from older friend for whom I had refurbished the same tractor 15 years ago. He stated the starter was taker to local parts supply about 2 years ago. Asked to be rebuilt, came back with 2 bolt head and didn't look like the same starter. The fellow is 84 and poor eyesight. Starter returned with 3 bolt head. Has always cranked slow, however would start. I have had new brushes installed and checked but without load at parts-rebuilder. I asked if possibly starter was 12 volt. local shop said they could not tell if fields were 6 or 12. I bought new battery as old 6 volt would crank but tested only 85% accepting charge. New battery is 6 volt and as large as could possibly fit in battery box under seat. I have installed ground to frame at seat area as well as long heavy cable to starter lug. I think the starter is just 12 volt as old fellow got screwed. The numbers on starter housing are 1108012 4406 ccw.. The body of the starter measures 6 inches which seems short for a 4 cy engine of this size. I would buy a known 6 volt starter of the proper size if needed, even be willing to get used one rebuilt. Thanks all Bill wilson

I too had the same problem with my MTA, I remedied it by switching to 12 volt, but some want to keep it original. These starters are still available from Delco-Remy. I ordered mine from my local starter shop. They are about $260.00 but it will solve most of your starting issues.

Bill how old are your battery cables? That was the culprit on one of my Hs. I actually skinned the one from the starter button to the starter. The copper wire strands were thoroughly rusted out.

I converted my SMTA to 12 volts when I first got it. For one thing I use it to run a baler at night and 6 volt lights and hard to find. I also had it changed to a contact on top so I could use a push button start instead of the original starter switch. Most of the Ms I ran over the years never turned very fast with 6 volts. It is a longer distance from battery to starter on SMTA than a standard M so I think you would need a really heavy cable, like a made up welding cable, to really get the power to starter with 6 volt.

will try another long cable thats possible. could some of you fellows measure the length oh just the body of your starters

The number and 3 bolts and 6 inch body are correct for your starter, I can't tell you what is wrong. However, I have a Super M with fire crater pistons and the same starter as yours, currently under restoration. I bought it a couple of years ago with the original 6 volt system, I will leave it that way. The long cable which I believe is original is 2 gauge. 99% of the people on this forum will say that 6 volt requires 0 or 00 cables, even on the smaller tractors. I have not found that to be true. Keep all of the connections clean and be sure that there is not corrosion under the insulation close to the connections, and with a good starter you will be fine. I really doubt if it was converted to 12 volts. Take the starter to someone that knows what they are doing and get it checked out.

I agree with 12 volt if you need the lights.

Chech the bushings in the starter on either end. If they are worn, it will pull the armature off center and use a ton of amps to try and start the tractor.

The key is 00gauge multi strand welding cables. Soldered on connectors and clean shiny contacts. Use the same for ground lead and it is best to make sure it is grounded to cast frame (best is full ground lead to the starter motor). That will crank it well.
Jim

I finally got tired of My S/MTA and the slow turn 6 volt system and i gave in to the 12 volt . I had the gen switched to 12 and switched the wires on the amp gauge and made it neg. ground . Switched the bulbs and NOW it starts . And the nice thiing about it is ya can not tell unless ya look at the battery .

a super mta with high compression pistons won't crank over good if you used 4 oo cables and a six volt battery as big as your pickup bed. my super mta that i have had for thirty five plus years has been twelve volts for the last ten years and now it starts like a new car and you can use good lights that are brighter than the six volt candles that are standard issue. i even put hi torque windings in the starter when still on six volts and it helped it a little but not much. you only have one choice for a dependable starting super m tractor.

I've converted a couple "Letter" series tractors to 12v neg grd by having the generators stepped up to 12v. I also have a SM with a 12v 3 wire alt that was converted to 1 wire and a SMTA that has the 1 wire Delco 1 wire alt. I much prefer the converted generators. I've never had problems with the converted 3 wire but the 1 wire will run the battery down in just a few days unless I unhook the battery cable. The auto parts store where I bought it called Delco & they said that was the nature of the beast. It uses a small amount of voltage to stay "excited" all the time, which runs the battery down.