[djeargazm]

With three storms in a week, my 420 has seen a lot of action lately. Last night everything was a-ok but when I went back out this morning to clear what the plow returned to the bottom of the driveway my starter motor spins but the gear isn't engaging to turn the flywheel. I'm guessing/hoping some moisture got in there and froze the thing up. The problem is the tractor is in my barn with no electricity and it's about 5 degrees out today. Any suggestions? I've got an onan b48g motor.

 

[djeargazm]

I just read that there are two different kinds of starters.... Inertia type and solenoid type. If I have the inertia type, my theory could be correct? If I have the solenoid type then I could be in big trouble? Is there any easy way to find out what type of starter I have? Remember this tractor is in a small shed in the woods...

 

[gzec]

I just rebuilt mine from my b48g. I would heat it up first before making any mechanical decisions. Put a heater in the shed.

 

[boomers_influence]

joe
the inertia type WILL NOT have a solenoid
mounted on the starter.
the solenoid shift style was mainly
used in 1986.
the inertia style SHOULD have a boot
to cover the end of the armature shaft.
your boot may be gone by now, thus allowing
moisture in there.
thank you. boomer

 

[djeargazm]

Guys thank you for the responses. If I get in there and take off the side panel to the tractor will I be able to see the starter? Or is it buried under the engine shroud? I'll definitely try heating it up which will require a lot of extension cord and a hair dryer. There is no way to heat up the shed in this weather.

 

[mattmanjr]

Mine did this a few years back and I thought the drive went bad...turned out grass & dirt had built up to the point the gear couldn't move enough to engage the flywheel.

 

[djeargazm]

Matt,
That is good news indeed. Thank you. That makes me hopeful that I've got ice built up in there from days of blowing snow. I'm looking forward to trying to thaw it out. I just wish the darn thing was in my garage instead of a couple of hundred yards into the woods behind my house. Can I see the starter from the engine compartment with the tractor panel removed?
Thanks,
Joe

 

[boomers_influence]

joe
yes you will be able to see the
starter with the side panel removed.
thank you. boomer

 

[gzec]

Hope, it needs thawed out. I just went through taking out mine and reinstalling it. You don't want to do that if you don't have to.

 

[djeargazm]

Thanks for all of the tips and support. Here in CT it was 40 deg yesterday. When I got home from work I went out to the barn to give it a try. The first turn of the key made the starter just spin freely. The second turn and the engine started! I drove it up to the side of the house and let it run for about 30 min. Shut it down and it started right back up again. With over a foot of new snow in the forecast for this weekend, this 420 may take the place of my car in the garage.

 

[gzec]

Good for you. Hopefully you'll have many good yrs of service from that starter, before you have to pull the motor to get it out!

 

[boomers_influence]

joe
i STILL think that you are better off
to remove the side tins, ( engine and tractor )
for a look see at the starter.
sometimes a little WD-40 will help a lot.
thank you. boomer

 

[djeargazm]

Thank you boomer etc all. I'll shoot some wd40 as you suggest. Sounds like a good Saturday project.