Tractor died as I was operatiing it

[dar1]

yes the battery terminals are 100% clean and free of corrosion

 

[dar1]

but would this cause the engine to suddenly stop?

 

[Industrial Toys]

How did it sound when it stopped? Loss of ignition, just coasted to a stop, or under load?

 

[dar1]

It was running great and was idling when it just suddenly stopped

 

[dar1]

Can I have the starter tested at a auto parts store to verify if the starter is good?

 

[denchen]

If a starter stays engaged, it would make a hideous noise and the engine would not get up to full speed without scaring everyone within a mile. Why did it stop, well at a guess, not because of a faulty starter motor, that wouldn't stop the engine, but you say you have a dodgy switch. Has that completely failed and are you no longer getting a current to make the spark.

 

[flyerdan]

If the cables are good and the battery has good charge, odds are it's the solenoid, especially so as it's been pointed out above that the solenoid engages the bendix. On an inertia bendix, jumping the two big lugs will spin the motor and engage the bendix, since yours only spins that makes sense. Should be an easy fix.
As for the stalling, first thing to check for is spark. Since you've had trouble with the ignition switch before, it should be the first thing to check if there is no spark. Not springing back from the start position would indicate that it's crudded up inside, if it can't be opened up for cleaning a new one is in order.
You said that you already have the starter off? Before pulling it it would have been good to run a good wire (14 ga. or so) from the battery to the terminal that the key switch goes to and see if that spun it up normally. If that would work, then your switch wasn't putting out full amperage to the starter and you wouldn't have to have pulled it.

 

[5030]

Run it out of oil maybe?

 

[dar1]

If the cables are good and the battery has good charge, odds are it's the solenoid, especially so as it's been pointed out above that the solenoid engages the bendix. On an inertia bendix, jumping the two big lugs will spin the motor and engage the bendix, since yours only spins that makes sense. Should be an easy fix.
As for the stalling, first thing to check for is spark. Since you've had trouble with the ignition switch before, it should be the first thing to check if there is no spark. Not springing back from the start position would indicate that it's crudded up inside, if it can't be opened up for cleaning a new one is in order.
You said that you already have the starter off? Before pulling it it would have been good to run a good wire (14 ga. or so) from the battery to the terminal that the key switch goes to and see if that spun it up normally. If that would work, then your switch wasn't putting out full amperage to the starter and you wouldn't have to have pulled it.

I tend to agree and I am 90 miles from a auto parts store so when I go back out there to fix it I need to plan for every option. I will test the starter and order a new one if needed. I also think it may be a bad ignition switch and do you think it is possible that the switch failed and when it did it basically turned off the machine like if the key was turned to off?

 

[4570Man]

So what happens when you try to start it with the key? As mentioned several times you need to jump the big positive wire to the little wire. Jumping the 2 big wires won’t engage it.