cranking system for f-20 farmall

maurice hastings · Mar 12, 2014

I am looking for a easier way to crank a f-20 farmall. Do you think a 1" impact would work. am getting too old to keep doing this.

Janicholson · Mar 12, 2014

An impact is definitely not good to use, it will shock the components and not crank it at all.
A belt pulley with a automatic transmission flex plate machined to bolt on in place of the pulley,and a bracket for a matching starter motor is extra easy and reliable. Jim

Janicholson · Mar 12, 2014

A 3/4" electric drill will also crank the tractor easily. Take a hand crank and cut off the lever and handle. Grind 3 flats on the shank to fit in the drill chuck. Put a long pipe in the handle threads that will touch the ground (important). the drill will directly crank the engine. I found one on Ebay of the correct type. Jim
One drill

Bob M · Mar 12, 2014

I agree to not use an impact wrench. It won't roll the motor and is also is very likely to break something.

A tranny flex plate bolted to the belt pulley flange plus matching starter motor works great. Several of the antique pullers here use this setup with great success. One even mounts TWO starters to give it a little extra "kick".

F-Dean · Mar 12, 2014

My dad cranked his well into his 80s.
You might try putting an Heisler electric start on it.

Tom Fleming · Mar 13, 2014

Please take what I am about to say in a positive way, but you should NOT have to "crank" your F-20 to start it. Any F-series tractor should start with just a couple of pulls on the crank handle. If the carb, magneto, and plugs are right, these are very easy to start.

Watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bX6wYJBHNc

As you see, Bud doesn't "crank" the handle, just a few up-pulls and the tractor starts. All my F-series, (including the mighty F30), start without "cranking" them a few pulls on the crank, and away they go.

If you are going to invest time and a little money, make sure the carb, mag, wires, and plugs are in tip-top condition (timing as well), and your F20 will fire right up with very little effort.

Here is Bud again, with a 22-36, a real "beast" of a machine in the day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dW5U-YGOO8

Please don't take my post wrong, but there is absolutely no need to crank these.

Tom Fleming · Mar 13, 2014

Here is a video of my F14. I had injured my wrist (and not from cranking the tractor!!!), so I had to use both hands to pull up on the crank, which is REALLY not the right way to do it, but I know the tractor, and the timing was correct. Anyway, notice, 1 up-pull and she starts right up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AeVO_AXGNw

I made and posted that video for the granddaughter of the original owner. I bought the F14 from the estate sale, and she asked that if I got it running, if I would take a video for her.

Last comments on these. To correctly do a "cold" start, do the following:
1.) With mag grounded, use full choke, 1/3 throttle, and fuel on, turn the engine over 2-3 times, slowly.
2.) Set choke to 1/2, leave throttle at 1/3. Advance spark approximately 1/3 so it is no longer grounded.
3.) Use short up strokes, starting at 6:00 oclock with the crank, cup your hand on the handle, do NOT wrap your thumb around it.
4.) Should start right up if the fuel and ignition are right.

Tom Fleming · Mar 13, 2014

One last one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlxnpMDFJzQ

Jeff Wenner · Mar 13, 2014

A fella that goes by T20 on the Red Power Magazine construction equipment forum has a setup for using a Toyota flex plate and a honda starter on his T20.

cranking system for f-20 farmall

maurice hastings

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Janicholson

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Janicholson

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Bob M

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F-Dean

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Tom Fleming

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Tom Fleming

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Tom Fleming

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Jeff Wenner

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