Top 5 Tractor Starter Motor Questions

A tractor starter motor is a vital component.  If your tractor starter motor is not engaging it might be time to replace it.  Anglo Agriparts offer a range of tractor starter motors on fast delivery, along with a large range of engine components. Here we answer your top 5 starter motor questions.

1. What Is a Starter Motor?
2. How does a starter motor work?
3. What are the parts of a starter motor?
4. Signs of a faulty tractor starter motor
5. Why is my starter motor failing?

What Is a Starter Motor?

A starter motor is an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic device used to rotate an internal-combustion engine.  In large engines, the starter motor itself can be an internal combustion engine.  Also know as a self-starter or cranking motor.

How does a starter motor work?

The engine needs to suck air and fuel into cylinders, in order to do this it must be turned at speed.  A starter motor spins (rotates) the engine via a small pinion or gear wheel, which connects with the flywheel via a large gear ring.

The starter motor is initiated by the ignition key.  The motor draws an electric current via the battery. The ignition has to turn on and off quickly to avoid sparking which could be hazardous, or running down the battery – so will have a return spring to release the key and turn off the starter motor.  A solenoid is used to turn on an electromagnet via the ignition allowing a current to flow.  The electromagnet attracts an iron rod closing two contact points completing the circuit between the tractor battery and starter.

What are the parts of a starter motor?

• Field Coils: Convert into electromagnets via battery, this turns the armature.
• Armature – the electromagnet supporting the drive shaft and bearings
• Shift Fork
• Brushes: Used to connect to the commutator and conduct electricity.
• Commutator: A segment of the shaft which the brushes run on to conduct electricity.
• Solenoid: Used to connect current
• Lever Fork: The lever fork stays adjoined with the plunger and when the plunger is pushed forwards, the lever fork too gets pushed.
• Starter Drive Gear
• Pinion clutch & gear: Activates the combustion and controls the rotation starting from the starter shaft to the flywheel

Signs of a faulty tractor starter motor

• Engine Will Not Turn Over

If nothing happens when you turn the ignition switch your solenoid or motor may have burnt out, or is experiencing an electrical issue. Sometimes this may instead be a sign of dead battery.

• Clicking

If your tractor is making a clicking sound when you turn the ignition, this may be a sign that there is an issue with your tractor starter motor.

• Whirring Sound

If you hear a whirring sound it may be due to the pinion gear not engaging with the flywheel. This can be a sign of a faulty solenoid and will mean you need to replace your starter motor.

• Grinding Sound

A grinding sound may a result of worn or missing teeth on the pinion gear grinding against the pinion gear. In this instance you would need to replace the starter motor to prevent damage to the flywheel.  If the flywheel has missing teeth you will need to replace this component.   Loose mountings can also cause a grinding sound and should be addressed to avoid damage to the starter motor of flywheel.

• Buzzing Noise

A bussing sound signals that not enough electricity is getting to the starter motor. Check your wiring and connections, inspect the battery terminals for debris or corrosion.  A poor current could also be the result of a weak battery.

Why is my starter motor failing?

• Electrical connections faulty.

            Check the wiring connections for loose wires.

• Poor Earth Connection

            Without the correct voltage the solenoid will not operate correctly and shut off.

• Faulty Solenoid

            If the solenoid overheats the damage is irreparable.  You will need to replace your starter motor.

• Faulty Ignition Switch
• Electric motor damaged electrically.
• Single-pinion gear, starter pinion or freewheel damaged.
• Faulty Starter Motor

             The electromagnet may be defective – this fault will require a new starter motor

If your tractor starter motor is not engaging it might be time to replace it.  Anglo Agriparts offer a range of tractor starter motors on fast delivery, along with a large range of engine components:

Buy John Deere Starter Motors

Buy Fiat Tractor Starter Motors

Buy Massey Ferguson Starter Motors

Buy Ford Tractor Starter Motors

Buy David Brown Starter Motors

Buy Case International Harvester Starter Motors

Buy Fordson Starter Motors

Buy Ferguson Starter Motors

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