How to raise loader arms on non-working tractor?

[CenTex Chris]

James, many thanks.

I have an old-school analog voltmeter but honestly I've never used it.

Correct, the starter motor will not chooch. I'm hearing only a relay click.

There are two identical relays down by the batt., and two more plus another up on the left side of the firewall. I'll swap the two identical ones up on the firewall as you suggest, to see if it'll crank (but not start, of course, since they're swapped).

 

[k0ua]

James, many thanks.

I have an old-school analog voltmeter but honestly I've never used it.

Correct, the starter motor will not chooch. I'm hearing only a relay click.

There are two identical relays down by the batt., and two more plus another up on the left side of the firewall. I'll swap the two identical ones up on the firewall as you suggest, to see if it'll crank (but not start, of course, since they're swapped).

give it a try Chris, and report back... don't forget the possible clutch switch too. You could jumper around it to make sure.

 

[CenTex Chris]

swapped... as they are the same relay. This will allow the tractor to crank, and if the original starter solenoid relay is bad, and now controlling the fuel solenoid. then the tractor WILL NOT START, but it will crank. This will tell you that the original starter relay is defective...

Holy smokes!

I swapped 'em, and not only did the tractor motor crank -- it also started and RAN.

I was *not* expecting that!

About to head into town to see if I can get new replacements for those relays. Maybe a couple extra, too.

Gee whiz, James -- you just saved me a lot of heartburn, sweat, profanity and calorie expenditure, all of which I was fully resigned to using this afternoon.

Much appreciated!

 

[k0ua]

Holy smokes!

I swapped 'em, and not only did the tractor motor crank -- it also started and RAN.

I was *not* expecting that!

About to head into town to see if I can get new replacements for those relays. Maybe a couple extra, too.

Gee whiz, James -- you just saved me a lot of heartburn, sweat, profanity and calorie expenditure, all of which I was fully resigned to using this afternoon.

Much appreciated!

Yeah sometimes when you swap em it "knocks em loose" or something. Glad you got it going Chris... Replace them both, and keep some on hand. Pay it forward, and help someone else. Good luck.

 

[CenTex Chris]

Will do; thanks again James.

I figured out how I would have raised the loader arms. I have a horse trailer with a loading ramp whose springs were worn out years ago. I had a 1500lb electric winch installed up at the roof line at the rear of the trailer after I developed a hernia from lifting that ramp by hand too many times. I would have hooked up the trailer and backed it up to the front of the tractor in order to raise the bucket and loader arms with that winch.

Fortunately due to your help, I didn't have to go through with that plan.

 

[ritcheyvs]

Holy smokes!

I swapped 'em, and not only did the tractor motor crank -- it also started and RAN.

I was *not* expecting that!

About to head into town to see if I can get new replacements for those relays. Maybe a couple extra, too.

Gee whiz, James -- you just saved me a lot of heartburn, sweat, profanity and calorie expenditure, all of which I was fully resigned to using this afternoon.

Much appreciated!

Oddly, there have been several cases where just swapping those relays allowed the tractor to actually start. But you obviouslu have at least one marginal relay, so replace both. Here's another possible source:Amazon.com: 5 Pack - EPAuto 3/4 AMP Relay Harness Spdt 12V Bosch Style: Automotive

James: Good job!!

 

[pmsmechanic]

Obviously your tractor is running but lets say it wouldn't start. All you need to do is line up the tractor and trailer and slide the bucket up the ramps as you pull it on. If you leave the loader control in the float position while winching you won't have any problems

 

[jabelding]

Or just pull it on backwards if you can get at it.
Glad you got it going. 9 times out of 10 it's the relays on these tractors.

 

[not2old]

There is also a possibility that the relays are OK and that you had a poor connection somewhere in the battery to starter circuit.

 

[JimR]

There is also a possibility that the relays are OK and that you had a poor connection somewhere in the battery to starter circuit.

That was my thought as I was reading this posting. Dirty connections wreak havoc for sure. Glad to hear it was an easy fix.