I had the fun of taking the two D2's I'm involved with to a local vintage tractor show over the weekend, the 5J on the left has done 11,382hrs and my own 5U on the right 3,961hrs:
 
Unfortunately due to other commitments I could only spend a few minutes there on Sunday morning. One of the show organisers, who had worked for the local CAT dealer for over 38 years, asked me to start them both up, after what had been a chilly night. He was EXTREMELY suprised when my 5U started on the first pull of the rope and the 5J on two pulls. I told him that it was normal for them to start like that. Choke nearly all the way out, throttle in half way, fuel on, two wraps with the rope and one good pull. The 5J burns so much oil that it pays to top it up every second start, so it's really well worn. The key is a good hot spark, clean fresh fuel (with stabilizer) and a clean carb.
 
Interestingly there was this tidy 1938 5J there with a serial # of 1152SP - which is only a few number newer than Toby's famous 5J1113
 
And this nice late model 5U (18,000 series serial number) with a toolbar:
 

 

a family freind was tuaght as a kid to start a no12 grader that was rope start pilot. he used to hold it over his shoulder and the fall forwards off the wheel and it would start reasonably well. his dad was a grader op for the local shire council. he also learnt the hard way dont drop that rope. when he stalled it across the roadway and had to walk quite a distance to find it and the get it started luckily it was a rural road. but the local copper turned up and he got a stern look or three come on son, get it shifted.

our would start best if the throttle and choke was left where is was last time it run touch it and nope not happening soon.

Very nice photos and I am sure those attending got to marvel as well. It will be nice when some of us get to attend shows soon. Rain or shine!
My D2 5U1600 I will name it "JD" which is short for Jaw Dropper, like yourself, I am proud that the old gal starts easily to the amazement of many that have wanted to drive it. Same thing, I say that is how they are supposed to start...hahaha. Now if I only made time to have all of my pony motors start that easy...
Thanks for sharing. JM

Thanks for sharing the pictures and narratives!
JM going to call that D-2 "Jaw Dropper" - I can hardly wait until I watch his Jaw Drop when it shows him who is really in command. Those starting engines have a disposition worse than an old tired Mule! They know when to act up!
I agree, when things are right, and kept clean, they will do wonders. The Three Keys --- FUEL - SPARK - AIR and if any one of them is off just a bit, it will not happen!
(when you find the "magic rope" do not let it out of your sight!)
CTS

juiceman wrote:

Jeez CTS, I wonder who that was!

The novelty of rope starting wears thin. Remember, I am superstitious, I only use the original rope that came with each tractor! JM


You must have a lot you never started since it came off the lowboy. Generally the old ropes  just fray away until I get a new one. I am to old and brittle to fall off the track like in the good old days. So I replace before breaking.

But as I observed each engine has a personality of its own. Get the choke just right, or choke 3 pulls and then no choke. It will start ever time until, someone is watching.  Even more so if you wanted to load it on a truck and move it.


For CTS John Deere was the other big user of a pony to start a diesel.  I think it was a option on all the 2 cylinder diesels.
 

Thank You Ray54,
I was not aware of the V4's powering the R and 80 JD's, I do not recall ever seeing one of them.
JD had some "monster" "johnny pops". Neighbor farmed with a "D", the largest I recall being used in the vicinity.
CTS

I love the idea of the old starting rope superstitious or not but it’s so nice hit the switch start the pony and then start turning the big motor

a cousin refered to the cat pilot engines as a wishcussin engine wishing it would go cussin cuase it wont.

and yes they always seem to have problems when there is a audience. or its time to unload or load up. thank christ d4 size machines can easily be shifted on tilt tray tow trucks winch on/roll off

trainzkid88 wrote:

a cousin refered to the cat pilot engines as a wishcussin engine wishing it would go cussin cuase it wont.

and yes they always seem to have problems when there is a audience. or its time to unload or load up. thank christ d4 size machines can easily be shifted on tilt tray tow trucks winch on/roll off

***You are right about stage fright. I swear as soon as I have spectators, the machine wants to fight me. I had a cold blooded main engine once, and a bystander BEGGED (okay, "offered") to spray starting fluid for me, which I politely declined; out of nowhere, he whips out 2 of the tallest cans of glow plug in a can, as if he had them holstered to his suspenders. Lordy, if I was in a old western gunfight, I would have been shot dead instantly with both cans. He was quick!***JM