farmall a on off switch question

Nick from MD · Aug 5, 2014

On a 1940 A where was the on off switch originally?

old · Aug 5, 2014

In a box that is bolted to the steering column or at least that is where it was in the 1941 I used to make my BA

Curt Cooke · Aug 5, 2014

The original was either a cable pulled toward the operator to shut the tractor off. That cable was mounted to the steering column about knee high. Later the cable shut off was replaced with a grounding switch. The push/pull type switch was mounted vertically in a mounting hole that was attached to the throttle quadrant. Farmall A on/off switch was never in the box with the light switch and amp. gauge.

notjustair · Aug 5, 2014

Mine is mounted vertically just as was said. Same switch used on other letter series. Pull it up to start and run, push it down to shut off (mine is coil/dist ignition). I'm too lazy to go out and look but if I remember right it is on the low idle side of the throttle quadrant up against the steering support pole. When you pull it up you can see the knob over the side of the throttle quadrant teeth.

RTR · Aug 5, 2014

(quoted from post at 20:43:00 08/05/14) The original was either a cable pulled toward the operator to shut the tractor off. That cable was mounted to the steering column about knee high. Later the cable shut off was replaced with a grounding switch. The push/pull type switch was mounted vertically in a mounting hole that was attached to the throttle quadrant. Farmall A on/off switch was never in the box with the light switch and amp. gauge.

never seen or heard of that early type cut-off you mentioned.

Brown Dirt Cowboy · Aug 5, 2014

Curt is talking very early, I have an early magneto for my '39M that is cable operated to kill.

Jim Becker · Aug 5, 2014

The fist ones used a cable as described by Curt. I believe the next step was the push/pull switch on a bracket that put the switch about where the cable was. Third step was the vertical mount on a bracket welded to the throttle quadrant like notjustair described. Some (all?) of the pneumatic lift control brackets had a place to relocate the switch. I think the serial breaks for each style can be found in the parts catalog.

RTR · Aug 5, 2014

Thanks so much Jim. Still learning new things everyday!

Brian Schmidt · Aug 5, 2014

My '40 B has the cable. Choke looking cable mounted on the steering post mounted to the mag on the other end. I never use it though. It is a crank start tractor with no battery or electric. So I just shut the fuel off and let her run out of gas. Also note, I never have carb trouble either. No gas in it to go stale or take on water and corrode things.

Athol Carr · Aug 5, 2014

I think the very first Farmall A tractors had a finger push tab on the side of the magneto. You had to dismount to press the tab. This was then replaced by the Bowden cable operated tab on the magneto and then by the switch to short the magneto

Nick from MD · Aug 6, 2014

I m thinkin this one had the cable. The tractor has a mag and no starter. The only part of the cable left is where it bolts to the steering column. Does anyone sell the parts New to replace the cable and what ever goes on the mag?

RTR · Aug 6, 2014

(quoted from post at 11:38:20 08/06/14) I m thinkin this one had the cable. The tractor has a mag and no starter. The only part of the cable left is where it bolts to the steering column. Does anyone sell the parts New to replace the cable and what ever goes on the mag?

Also, post pictures for us becuase you could very well be looking at the pneumatic lift all bracket that is up there.

Brown Dirt Cowboy · Aug 6, 2014

I shut the gas off and let my M run out if I'm putting it away. Sometimes many weeks between starts.

gene bender · Aug 6, 2014

I sent you an email and just looked and i have one even have the bracket for holding the wire. For others info it is a separate bracket mounted on steering post right side on the bolt that holds the throttle plate.

farmall a on off switch question

Nick from MD

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old

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Curt Cooke

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notjustair

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RTR

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Brown Dirt Cowboy

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Jim Becker

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RTR

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Brian Schmidt

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