Pull starting a Ford 4500 with a torque converter trans.

[City Farmer]

Is it possible to pull start a tractor (Ford 4500) with a torque converter/power reversing transmission? The ring gear is almost smoked, I can't believe it's still turning over as it is. I know this is going to be an issue in the near future. I won't have the time to split it and take care of it the right way until the winter but I'll need this tractor through out the summer. I really like the tractor, it runs great but it needs a little help. I'm slowly chipping away at 45yrs of neglect the best I can.

 

[joecdeere]

Sorry, that won't work, engine has to be turning enough to drive pump and torque converter to hookup clutches. same theory as your automatic car, you can't pull start it either.

 

[Steave]

My International has a torque converter and my manual says it won't work. I remember cranking old cars this way but you had to get up a lot of speed. Never tried it just read it in the manual. Maybe somebody famailiar with your ford can chime in.

 

[City Farmer]

Thanks guys, I knew it was some wishful thinking. It looks like I'm forced to find the time but I'm not looking forward to splitting this one at all.

 

[Steave]

I'm going to rebuild my engine sometime in the near future. I'll have plenty of advise from my bro and bro in law and I'm sure I'll need all the help I can get. I can turn wrenches and I can read but not a mechanic. I have a shop with overhead trolley and tools so that will help.

Seems a shame to break it down just to put in a new flywheel. I had to break my ford 3000 just to put in a failed throw out bearing.

 

[RickB]

You don't need a flywheel. You need a ring gear. Big difference.

 

[buickanddeere]

A fresh pinion gear on the starter may obtain some mesh for a while ?
What ripped the flywheel ring gear to bits in the first place ?
Is there any way to shim the starter deeper into the ring gear ?

 

[City Farmer]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I guess 45yrs of starting finally wore the ring gear out. I was looking at splitting it yesterday and it's a bigger job than I initially thought. In order to split it, I have to get the drag link off. I can't get the drag link off because the loader arm is to close. I'm going to do a full hydraulic steering conversion this winter. I'll just torch everything so I don't have to pull the loader off. I hope it continues to start through the summer because I'm going to need this tractor. I'll keep the idea of shimming the pinion gear as an option.

 

[jimmysisson]

I agre w buickanddeere, try a new starter drive. Did that once on a BMW and three years later it had yet to skip a start. Ymmv of course.
Jim

 

[Dave M7040]

I came across on youtube a unique way to pull start a tractor using the pto shaft.
Starting a tractor by spinning the PTO - YouTube
If you are desperate this might work for you.
The guy had a mower attached to the back of his tractor.
He took a wide strap and wound it around the u-joint area at the mower end of the pto.
Connected the strap to the trailer hitch on his car and drove off.
The pto spun the tractor engine to life.
Use great caution if trying this!!!
Dave M7040