How to start a JD Model 70

   / How to start a JD Model 70 #1  

HardAssets

New member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
2
Location
Sargent, TX
Tractor
John Deere Model 70
I've ordered the manual but it hasn't arrived yet so this may be a really stupid question but I just bought a 1955 JD Model 70 Gasoline Version and watched the delivery guys start it a couple of times (with a little difficulty) and it ran great and sound good. I thought I had the procedure down pat but apparently I don't. In neutral, accelerator all the way down (or forward), switch turned 1 click to the right (to "I"), clutch with the brake off (engaged?)....then depress of kick the starter post with my left foot......I get nothing.

I guess one question I have is about the post I depress with my left foot. Is that post some sort of electrical switch that activates a starter to turn over the motor or is it a mechanism that physically engages with a flywheel of sorts to turn the motor over. It doesn't feel like there is any resistance when I depress the post.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
Last edited:
   / How to start a JD Model 70 #2  
The left stomp post is a switch that engages the starter motor.

The process to start a 70 is turn the switch in the middle of the console one click to the right. Give it a little choke push the throttle forward about half way. Pull the hand clutch back till it locks and stomp the starter switch with left foot.
 
   / How to start a JD Model 70 #3  
If the tractor won't crank, the only things that affect cranking are battery, cables, starter, starter switch on starter, and linkage from foot pedal to starter switch. There are no safety swiitches and even the ignition switch does not affect cranking.
 
   / How to start a JD Model 70
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Hey...thanks to both of you guys for responding. From what you guys wrote, I'm guessing it's the starter switch or the linkage. They started it a couple of times but it acted like the battery wasn't strong enough. It just kind of dragged then all of a sudden it turned over rapidly and started. It's a new battery though and I put a trickle charge on it overnight. To get to the linkage, do I need to remove the cover off the big round cover on the left side of the tractor? If so, is there a gasket involved. Where is the starter on this tractor? Is it easily repairable with new brushes perhaps?

One other thing.....even after charging the battery, when I turn the console switch one click, all it shows is between 3 and 5 amps on the meter. Is that enough?
 
   / How to start a JD Model 70 #5  
When starting a JD 720 gas, the starter only engages for one compression and then disengages and have to repress the starter switch. The starter does not spin the motor like some other tractors. But when it fires off it does sound cool.
 

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