any ideas?

I was just out riding along in the M, using the sickle, cutting oats. Turned tractor off to check sickle because a bolt had come off near the end and I just put a new one in. Looked good. Got back on and tractor wouldn't even turn over! I just re-did ignition and wires and things and it was starting unbelievably good. What could be wrong? It is sitting on a slope pointing uphill. It rained this morning and I had a cup over the muffler. I forgot to turn off pto before turning off the tractor. Any of these matter? I'm trying to think what I could have done wrong. When ignition switch is pulled out, I see the ammeter move a little, so I think that is ok. Starter switch seems to be doing nothing. Could rain have messed something up? Wires on starter switch look good and tight. I had started it maybe four times within the hour before it quit starting. I don't know what could be wrong. Any ideas?

Probably a loose connection on battery.

That big push button starter switch might died.it
arc when pushed on heavy copper bolt heads inside
.prolly need opening up and use a file,sand paper
n see if it works.if you brave make sure pto and
transmission are out of gear brakes set.turn
ignition on ,use good pliers with gl9ves on hands
,touch the 2 heave battery cables togather on
back of switch.bet if battery is up it cranks
over

Very likely to be a simple dirty battery connection at the battery post or at the cable ends at the ground or starter switch

They are tight. The battery is new and just had wires off the work on everything last week and they are still tight.

Oh geez. I don't like messing around with electricity and sparks but I'll bring out gloves and pliers. If I don't ever post anything again, you know why. I'll bring sandpaper and file, too. Might just use them. I bet it's that switch. WHen I was working around there I never did check and sand what it is that makes a connection. Could it just all of a sudden stop sorking though? It's started right up every time since last week's work on it. Maybe the rain gave it an extra coat of rust.

The starter motor of Farmalls get stuck and require unsticking. Either way works. Lift the mower up into transport mode. Put it in high (5th) gear
Key off. Grab the top of the left rear tire from standing in front of it. With all your might shove the top of the tire rearward. las it rebounds
forward, do it again till a rocking motion is generated. The starter will make a click/klunck sound and all will be well till it does it again. OOORRR
loosen the starter bolts about 1/8 inch loose each and shake the starter hard and it will make the same clunk. All will be well. It needs a new
starter drive. Modern style with no big spring. (direct replacement) Follow the directions. Jim

Don't worry about the electricity and sparks.

It's not going to electrocute you, but things can get hot!

Be careful working with rings, metal watch band, bracelets, anything conductive you can't let go of real quick!

The biggest danger though, is it cranking in gear while standing beside it!!!

Be absolutely sure it is in neutral!

A simple test light, if you don't already have one, or several, just keep one in the tool box, is a very valuable tool.

Being able to diagnose electrical is not that difficult. Once you get the hang of it it will become second nature to grab it instead of guessing.

Rain equals bad connection just by the fact rain get into and between things and then you have a bad connection

Alternator not putting out, thus battery not charging. New batteries do go bad that is why they have warranties.

I agree, I would make sure battery cables are clean and making good contact before moving on.

Does the amp meter wiggle when you push the starter?

It shouldn't. Starter doesn't go thru the ammeter.

(quoted from post at 18:14:06 08/29/19) The starter motor of Farmalls get stuck and require unsticking. Either way works. Lift the mower up into transport mode. Put it in high (5th) gear
Key off. Grab the top of the left rear tire from standing in front of it. With all your might shove the top of the tire rearward. las it rebounds
forward, do it again till a rocking motion is generated. The starter will make a click/klunck sound and all will be well till it does it again. OOORRR
loosen the starter bolts about 1/8 inch loose each and shake the starter hard and it will make the same clunk. All will be well. It needs a new
starter drive. Modern style with no big spring. (direct replacement) Follow the directions. Jim

Click to expand...

janicholson!!!! You got it!!! You are the genius!
When I read what you said, I remembered what I saw when I took apart the starter. That spring seemed like it wasn't pashing things back to where it should and everything had a lot of play. ANd teeth were worn. I knew I needed to rebuild it but was hoping it would last until this season is over. I would never have known to do the things you said. First, I tried the pushing on the wheel but couldn't get it to clunk. Then I tried loosening the bolts that hold on the starter and shake it as much as I could and I did hear a single noise. I thought that must be good. Tried to start it and no go. Tried both ways again and still nothing. It was getting dark and I thought 'One more thing to try before giving up for the night'. Took the starter off the tractor and beat it on the ground hard. I couldn't hear any clunking because of all the beating on the ground noises, so I just beat it for a minute and put it back on. Didn't think the tractor would start but it started right up!!!!!!! Yeay! Drove it until it was too dark to see and will have to order some more parts Thanks so much for the info and instructions. Yeay!

It's just possible the starter is locked up. Just to be sure it is not , just loosen the mounting bolts on the starter and wiggle it up and down to free it up if it is stuck. Worth a try.

Sounds like the starter is hanging up to me also. If when you try to start it, and nothing happens, and the cable to the starter gets hot real fast. The starter is hung up. I have had that happen on one of my Model M's some times. Stan