L185 starter

[smeltergarf]

My L185 has had a draggy starter since I purchased it in 2019. I changed the old battery the next year. Put on a 800 cold cranking amp battery. Thinking the battery was the problem. But nothing changed.! Still draggy and sluggish on the turnover. The starter seems to get excessively hot after just a few try's on the starter. Is this in your opinions a bad starter.? I looked online at new starters. And they show two totally different types of starters that will fit this tractor. One is a Denso gear reduction starter. The other is the original direct drive type. Which would be best.?

 

[Russell King]

Yes the starter is “bad” and you will be better off with a new one.

The gear reduction version is probably the better option but either one will spin faster than the old

 

[Roadworthy]

If the battery has the ability and the terminals are clean and tight you may indeed be due for a new starter. A gear reduction starter will in most cases be the better choice though even a basic starter will probably be better than what you've got. Clean and tighten your battery terminals and connectors before throwing money at your problem. Don't forget to trace the ground lead to the frame to clean and tighten that, too. Starters work harder if they don't get enough voltage.

 

[smeltergarf]

If the battery has the ability and the terminals are clean and tight you may indeed be due for a new starter. A gear reduction starter will in most cases be the better choice though even a basic starter will probably be better than what you've got. Clean and tighten your battery terminals and connectors before throwing money at your problem. Don't forget to trace the ground lead to the frame to clean and tighten that, too. Starters work harder if they don't get enough voltage.

Cleaning the terminals after I put the new battery in was the first thing I did. And that starter was still slow and draggy. I figure it is the starter. Because it gets so hot with very little cranking. But thanks for your reply..

 

[007kubotaguy]

I have installed several of the gear reduction type from D&B electric recently. They turn over nice. I would also replace the battery cables with 2/0 cable. Chances are you have 40 year old battery cables not helping you. Great little machine.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Cleaning the terminals after I put the new battery in was the first thing I did. And that starter was still slow and draggy. I figure it is the starter. Because it gets so hot with very little cranking. But thanks for your reply..

Electric motor overheating is frequently caused by excessive current draw. Did you clean ALL of the ground connections between the starter and battery?

Dan

 

[smeltergarf]

Electric motor overheating is frequently caused by excessive current draw. Did you clean ALL of the ground connections between the starter and battery?

Dan

Yes I've cleaned ever cable connection. And wire connection. I just figure that old Reman starter thats on there has laid down on me,,,

 

[TheOldHokie]

Yes I've cleaned ever cable connection. And wire connection. I just figure that old Reman starter thats on there has laid down on me,,,

Possibly. Did you clean the starter to engine mounting surfaces? You can always take the starter in and have it tested.

Dan