Emergency Starting TC30 with Jumpers???

[Mainer76]

OK, so I'm still having issues with my TC30 not starting in extreme cold. I'm pretty sure it's either the PTO or neutral safety switch. I'm going to order and replace the switches but we have a snow storm today and possibly Thursday I need to get cleared out. Is there any way I can bypass the switches and start the tractor? Can I just jump it from the battery to the starter or something like that?? Thanks!

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Bypassing the switches is depending on if they are 'normally open' or 'normally closed'. If you have an ohm meter you should be able to test then very easily. That would help you determine if it's the switch that's the problem or something else. I'd guess that if the switch isn't working properly, it still won't allow you to cheat the system for a jump start.

Since you think it's a safety switch, I'm guessing that you get nothing when you try to start rather than just a slow roll?

Any chance you have a frozen battery?

Safety disclaimer: bypassing safety switches can be dangerous and should only be done for diagnosis not operation. That being said, many of us grew up with tractors with no safely switches at all and are still here.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Take a jumper wire and attach it to the large terminal on the starter. The one with the cable going to the battery. There should be a small terminal close to the large one. If you touch the jumper wire to that the tractor should crank over. It'll probably scare you the first time as there will be sparks. Just hold the jumper wire firmly onto the small terminal. When the tractor starts you can remove the wire.

Make sure the transmission is in neutral and it would be best to have someone on the tractor to press the brakes as this will bypass all the safety's. Good luck and be careful.

 

[Mainer76]

I tried jumping the terminals on the starter solenoid. I get it to spin but it doesn't crank the engine just whirs. Any ideas?

 

[rayikeo2]

How are you running your jumpers? Assuming your connection from the battery to the starter is good, how are you jumping the solenoid?

 

[Mainer76]

I just ran the positive jumper off the large nut on the solenoid and touched the other end to the small wire next to it that goes into the starter. Just made a whir with no turn of the engine.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Does the same thing happen when you jump it as turning the key? Sounds like the starter isn't engaging the flywheel. Try hitting the starter with the handle of a hammer then try starting it again. If no go, hit it while truing to start it

 

[Mainer76]

Nothing happens when I turn the key which is why I'm trying to start the tractor in this manner. I thinks there's bad safety switch but I need to get it started so I can move snow and get out.

 

[JSanders10]

Do as CDN Farm Boy stated, hit the starter a few times with a hammer handle or a large wrench. Try again.

Make sure you don't have the fuel cut-off pull out (on).

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

It's sounding like a 2 part but related problem. The whir when you jump it is the starter spinning. No crank means the starter is not extending to engage the flywheel