I think I need a Starter

[EddieWalker]

I bought my 2003 Century 2535 brand new from a dealer that started out good, but hasn't been for a very long time. I haven't been there to ask about this, but I will if I have to.

My tractor is the same thing as the Branson 3510

I've had just about every electrical issue there is, but for the last couple of years, it's been perfect. This morning, I got nothing when I tried to start it. Electric fuel pump turned on with the key, but nothing from the starter. I checked the battery and it was at 12.4 volts. I hooked up my jumper cables to my truck, which was at 14.2 volts, and still nothing.

I took off the starter and hooked the jumper cables to it without any result, but then I bypassed the solenoid and the gears would turn, but not come out. Somewhere, while trying to get the cables to touch good, I got a big spark, and the gear shot out. I've only been able to do that the one time, and I haven't been able to figure out what I did to make that happen. The gear shot out, but it wasn't turning. I can make it turn all day long by putting power to the cable going from the solenoid to the starter main body.

I think the solenoid is bad, but since it's on top of the starter, I'm thinking that I have to buy a new starter with the attached solenoid.

Now for the big question. Where do I get a starter for an old Century/Branson tractor? I've tried finding a part number without any luck. Does anybody know what the part number is? I might be able to find one with that information.

There used to be a starter/alternator repair shop in town. They still might be in business, so that's another option that I might have to look into if I really have to.

Any other ideas?

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[K5lwq]

These guys helped me get a starter for the 4520 I need to be working on. Lol They are sharp and very helpful.

Superior Fleet Service, Inc. | AC Installations, Alternators, Engine Starters, East Texas, Tyler TX

I have also had good luck with Hawkins alternator just down 271 on the left from superior.

 

[EddieWalker]

Superior is my first stop if I can't find anything online. Hawkins is my last resort. I used them once before and it was a disaster.

Thanks

 

[K5lwq]

No problem. Surprised you had a bad experience at Hawkins. I have used them many times and have quite a few friends that have as well. Never a problem.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I would vote for having it rebuilt (if they can).

Probably cheaper and last longer as well.

 

[Asteral]

I bought my 2003 Century 2535 brand new from a dealer that started out good, but hasn't been for a very long time. I haven't been there to ask about this, but I will if I have to.

My tractor is the same thing as the Branson 3510

I've had just about every electrical issue there is, but for the last couple of years, it's been perfect. This morning, I got nothing when I tried to start it. Electric fuel pump turned on with the key, but nothing from the starter. I checked the battery and it was at 12.4 volts. I hooked up my jumper cables to my truck, which was at 14.2 volts, and still nothing.

I took off the starter and hooked the jumper cables to it without any result, but then I bypassed the solenoid and the gears would turn, but not come out. Somewhere, while trying to get the cables to touch good, I got a big spark, and the gear shot out. I've only been able to do that the one time, and I haven't been able to figure out what I did to make that happen. The gear shot out, but it wasn't turning. I can make it turn all day long by putting power to the cable going from the solenoid to the starter main body.

I think the solenoid is bad, but since it's on top of the starter, I'm thinking that I have to buy a new starter with the attached solenoid.

Now for the big question. Where do I get a starter for an old Century/Branson tractor? I've tried finding a part number without any luck. Does anybody know what the part number is? I might be able to find one with that information.

There used to be a starter/alternator repair shop in town. They still might be in business, so that's another option that I might have to look into if I really have to.

Any other ideas?

Thank you,
Eddie

you'll have to do some hunting online but i have found those solenoids on ebay before, its possible you might be able to as well, ( i shouldn't say this but i'm gonna)as a Branson/TYM Dealer , i would recommend purchasing the oem starter as a last resort they are overpriced for what they are and you can like others posted above find aftermarket replacements that will get he job done if you cant find just the solenoid.

 

[Roadworthy]

I had starter trouble with my Mitsubishi tractor. I took the starter to a starter shop. He could get the parts but (the Bendix) but a complete starter with a new Bendix was only a little higher. I opted for the complete starter. He ordered it and it was there a week later.

 

[zzvyb6]

Chances are good that the 2 contacts in the starter have slowly melted/burned thru so that they don't engage the motor. My Deer did this. New parts are cheap (under $10 on ebay

 

[EddieWalker]

I went to Superior Fleet Services in Tyler this morning and I was told that he couldn't get that starter. He suggested that I go to Hawkins to have it rebuilt. They said that it was the wrong type and they couldn't get parts to rebuild it. They suggested that I go to the dealer where I bought it. So I went to the dealer and he told me that it was stupid expensive. It was so ridiculous that he didn't even want to tell me how much it was. He apologized a couple times too. The cost for a new starter is $1,730

I said that I'd have to pass on that price and that I'd have to keep looking. He understood and then he gave me the part number.

I put in the part number and came up with one that looked very, VERY similar for $135 with free shipping on Ebay. I ordered it and it should be here by Saturday. I feel like I'm taking a gamble on it, but I don't have any better options right now.

Part Number is 170010A1

 

[oldnslo]

Wishing you the best Eddie. Agree that is an insane price for a starter.

Do your best to make sure the bendix gear is the same teeth style and pitch.

 

[K5lwq]

Wow that is amazing. I would have thought the Century would have the Yanmar engine like the 4520 I have is. Just looked and they have a Kukje engine. Hopefully that starter will work.

 

[flyerdan]

A while back I had starter issues with the forklift, it has the solenoid on top and was doing the 'click, click' 40 or 50 times before it would catch and spin over. Took the solenoid off and apart; there is a spring loaded disk plunger that makes contact on two copper square head bolts that are in the bakelite end cap. Between the erosion and carbon arcing, it was difficult to get a good connection. I carefully tapped the bolts out of the bakelite cap, cleaned everything up on the wire wheel and put the bolts back 180 degrees so the uneroded part of the head would contact the disk. Works like new to this day.

 

[Asteral]

i just wanted to put this out there because the price Eddie was given for that starter had my jaw drop and i sell the tym/bransons, now i know why, the part number he gave use subs to hrd17001usa1 - retail is $763.13 here this is for the kukje model engine its a direct substitute to the number you were given which explains the extreme high price. More than likely if you had ordered that starter it would have automatically subbed by Rome, Ga to this part #HRD17001USA1, the dealer more than likely didnt know this, i was only able to find it due to having an old email with this number being given as a sub for one we ordered in the past they couldnt get to us.

 

[EddieWalker]

The ebay starter arrived and the bolt holes are too close together.

Amazon has a bunch of part numbers for the same starter, but they all seem to be the same one that I just bought that is too small.

Amazon.com

I've searched all of those model numbers and I get the same results.

Is my starter a Poong Sung? is there another type?

Is the Century 2535 really the same as the Branson 3510?

I think that I have the wrong part number. HRD 1700100A1 and HRD17001USA1 isn't it.

The bolt holes on mine are about 4 3/4 inches apart to the center of the holes.

 

[flyerdan]

Is there a part number that you can find on your removed starter? Which has some fairly chewed up teeth on the driven gear. If it does, and you can find a parts breakdown on both numbers and see if the new guts could go into the housing that you know fits. I know it's a lot of work; that's what we usually have to do with unobtainuim stuff, but with the supply snafus becoming normal it might have to become more mainstream.

 

[K5lwq]

Eddie, can you post a picture of the new starter you just received?

 

[EddieWalker]

I looked all over the starter with a magnifying glass, and the only thing I could find was this one stamp that looks like "PS" to me. I think it means Poong Sung, but it could also mean just about anything else.



Next to each other, you can see that they are similar, but the new one is smaller.



The small starter is Part # HRD 1700100A1 and I need to find the Part # for what I have in my Century 2535

 

[ptsg]

Not ideal solution but almost looks the flange of the old one could go on the new one.

 

[flyerdan]

From the looks of it you should be able to take off the back plate of the solenoid (where the battery cable goes) and clean up everything in there and see if the old one works again. It looks like a gear reduction starter, so there might be a fork on the solenoid that engages the bendix and powers the motor. Since you can power the motor without the bendix extending that would indicate that it's not inertial.
If cleaning up the solenoid makes it work, I'd probably touch up the gears with a dremel or HF mini grinder and return the one that don't fit.

 

[K5lwq]

Not ideal solution but almost looks the flange of the old one could go on the new one.

This is what I was thinking of when I asked for the picture. I believe it is possible to do that. But would not know for sure till it came apart. The old one allows the starter to stand off father than the new one. I am guessing for clearance of something. But it looks like the starter would clock correctly and from the flange to the gear looks like it would engage the flywheel correctly with out shims.

Eddie, I am out of town working this week but will be back this weekend. I will be glad to look at it with you if you want some help.