British tractor question

rrlund · Apr 3, 2015

I got a new light switch and backing plate for this David Brown/Oliver. The backing plate/position indicator says OFF-S-S/D-S/M-M. Those aren't American terms. So I can wire it correctly,what do those mean in terms of headlight,tail light,etc?

IanC · Apr 3, 2015

I've never had a British tractor, but I have had British motorcycles, and my best friend had the sorry misfortune to own a Triumph Spitfire. "S" probably stands for "smoke". S/D means "smoke w/ display" (either sparks or flames), "S/M" means smoke and melted, "M" means just melted. Lucas the Prince of Darkness.

Majorman · Apr 3, 2015

S= Side lights.
S/D = Side lights and Dipped Main Beam.
S/M = Side lights and Main Beam.
M = Main Beam, no Side lights. (Usually used for ploughing/field work).
Off = Off.

Nebraska Cowman · Apr 3, 2015

LOL thanks for cheering up my otherwise dreary day.

fixerupper · Apr 3, 2015

(quoted from post at 13:23:57 04/03/15) I've never had a British tractor, but I have had British motorcycles, and my best friend had the sorry misfortune to own a Triumph Spitfire. "S" probably stands for "smoke". S/D means "smoke w/ display" (either sparks or flames), "S/M" means smoke and melted, "M" means just melted. Lucas the Prince of Darkness.

I used to have a Triumph. I called it 'Prince of Darkness' with the Lucas electrics it was blessed with.

rrlund · Apr 3, 2015

Thanks a lot! I got the ammeter wired up today. That was a nightmare. There was one diagram that was real close,but it showed A and A1. Mine only had A,so I had to finally make a guess at where those wires went.

ObsoElitist · Apr 3, 2015

Majorman has it right. I spent a lot of years working with British cars, race cars, and motorcycles, and own a few.
Lucas headlamp switches have 3 positions, OFF, DIM, and FLICKER.
I have found British tractors to be good, stalwart machines, disproving the old adage that "An Englishman, given a piece of metal, will undoubtedly use it to make something silly".

vscummins · Apr 3, 2015

Find a sparex parts dealer might be able to get you one.

rrlund · Apr 3, 2015

I got a brand new one from DB Parts Ltd,just trying to wire it up from scratch.

TimV · Apr 3, 2015

Q: why do the English drink their beer warm?
A: Lucas made refrigerators too.....

Owned a '63 Fordson Super Major TLB for a while--not much for electronics on it, but I did have occasional issues with the start circuit, which would short out for no reason. Usually a short session of percussive maintenance would put things right again.

J. Schwiebert · Apr 3, 2015

Did you ever get an operators manual for that tractor/ I also have an 850 shop manual from david brown, But you need a cropmaster section for the gas engine. J.

rrlund · Apr 3, 2015

Ya,I got one here that says David Brown Drivers Guide that I got from DB Parts Ltd,but it's pretty vague on most things. It covers the 990,950,880 and 850,but it's only a little 5x7 book with 32 pages. It seems to mostly cover how the complicated hydraulic system works.

Janicholson · Apr 3, 2015

I figured it might be a decision to make. The A1 terminal is similar to the L terminal on a Delco A circuit system. Not used on yours, just take power from the load side of the amp meter. Jim

Ian Beale · Apr 4, 2015

I've had my share of vehicles with Lucas electrics and didn't find them any worse than anyone else's.

I've even braved an Alfa Romeo Alfetta - basic engine equipment was Bosh with a Marelli distributor - which was like the ad for "Brown's Milk - good as any, better than some". The rest of the wiring could be interesting though.

Worst electrics here in my experience (Oz) was when Ford went alternator with a locally made Prestolite.

A friend (auto electrician) in his list of fixes used to coat the rotor with epoxy and leave it turning slowly in a lathe so it didn't dribble before setting.

Leroy · Apr 4, 2015

Why is everybody having such problems with Lucas? The 3 Fords I had 2 4100 and a 5100 all had that and no more problems than anything else as Delco

rrlund · Apr 4, 2015

It's not a Lucas problem necessarily,it's a "I'm not good with anything electrical" problem.

sotxbill · Apr 4, 2015

Lucus was know for connectors that corroded in the wet humid air and regulators that need lots of contact filing. Points that needed frequent adjustments. So, if your a mechanic, no prob. If you not, they were a constant trip to the mechanic. The connectors meant that the lights, gauges, switches and about everything on the car was intermittent. Lights were dimming, blinking and gauges worked and then did not and did again. Especially in the 50s.... buy a British car from that era and you will have to fix something every time you use it. 60's were not much better. 70s and thing started working. Tractors not so much except the points and regulators. American usually put american quality points and regulators on them and problem solved. Plus our dryer climates helped tremendously. Now we have an epidemic of china points and those who have them have the same problem.

British tractor question

rrlund

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IanC

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Majorman

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Nebraska Cowman

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fixerupper

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rrlund

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vscummins

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rrlund

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TimV

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rrlund

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