How did you know it was positive ground? I have an MF50 and I replaced the battery. I didn't think to take a picture of the old battery before removing it. Now I am unsure which is the negative and positive cable. This is the first tractor I have ever owned, so I am learning as things get broken :) I hooked it up as if it were positive ground not really realizing I was doing so. It started and I used it; however, when I turned it off the generator (this was new to me) kept spinning. It never stopped. I assumed that maybe I had the cables mixed up and removed them. I learned that tractors can be positive or negative ground (mind blown) and that you have to polarize a generator. Now I am not sure how to tell what should be positive and what should be negative.....
I learned from my repair manual and an older fellow. It will run if you have them reversed which is odd. I suggest you join www.yesterdaystractors.com/ They have a forum which can answer all your questions. Good luck.
@MikeBalls Firstly is your tractor petrol or diesel? If diesel you can have --ve or +ve ground, but you must polarise the generator. If it is petrol and you are keeping the LUCAS electrics then you must be +ve ground. Most LUCAS coils are wound for +ve ground. Benefits include auto transformer action and little or no burning of the rotor arm.A LUCAS generator (if you are running a generator) has an internally earthed field. You need to know this to polarise your generator. Always polarise your generator at the generator after removing the two wires. Look at LUCAS style systems rather than American style and videos as a lot of them are not quite correct. If you reply back with specific questions I will be able to help you with easy simple tests for your generator and regulator 😊
"Even though it's not safe, it was practical and useful" 😂 that was the way to do things in the good ole days
very interesting - thanks
How did you know it was positive ground? I have an MF50 and I replaced the battery. I didn't think to take a picture of the old battery before removing it. Now I am unsure which is the negative and positive cable. This is the first tractor I have ever owned, so I am learning as things get broken :) I hooked it up as if it were positive ground not really realizing I was doing so. It started and I used it; however, when I turned it off the generator (this was new to me) kept spinning. It never stopped. I assumed that maybe I had the cables mixed up and removed them. I learned that tractors can be positive or negative ground (mind blown) and that you have to polarize a generator. Now I am not sure how to tell what should be positive and what should be negative.....
I learned from my repair manual and an older fellow. It will run if you have them reversed which is odd. I suggest you join www.yesterdaystractors.com/ They have a forum which can answer all your questions. Good luck.
@MikeBalls Firstly is your tractor petrol or diesel? If diesel you can have --ve or +ve ground, but you must polarise the generator. If it is petrol and you are keeping the LUCAS electrics then you must be +ve ground. Most LUCAS coils are wound for +ve ground. Benefits include auto transformer action and little or no burning of the rotor arm.A LUCAS generator (if you are running a generator) has an internally earthed field. You need to know this to polarise your generator. Always polarise your generator at the generator after removing the two wires. Look at LUCAS style systems rather than American style and videos as a lot of them are not quite correct. If you reply back with specific questions I will be able to help you with easy simple tests for your generator and regulator 😊