model 28 cat Starter conversion? or replacement?

Chad

I checked into installing electric start on my 20, basically the same as your 28 as far as the starter. The big issue is a ring gear on the flywheel, if your machine has one you got it made. My local starter shop said it would be no problem to build up a starter. I have a Cat OEM drawing of the gear in PDF I could send you if you like. I have considered having a small batch made but havent had much luck finding a shop that will make a small batch for less than thousands of dollars.

Steve,

Yes, if you could send me that you would be the man, anything can help, I'm popped the cover off to inspect the flywheel but it look's like id doesn't have one but i will check again with a mirror. I saw in a drawing of the flywheel and clutch, I think it was a 20 but not sure, it had a smooth pressure plate, that covered the flywheel so no teeth were exposed at least not from the engine side so now i will make sure. If its doesn't have a ring gear then i need to make the decision of pulling the engine out and taking the flywheel down to a shop to have one put on because i would really like an electric start.

The hand crank came around and got me because of the blade was in the way, kind of a freak accident broke my arm so not wanting that to happen again, have had any problems so far but still not again. Thanks again Steve for any help






[quote="Steve A"]Chad

I checked into installing electric start on my 20, basically the same as your 28 as far as the starter. The big issue is a ring gear on the flywheel, if your machine has one you got it made. My local starter shop said it would be no problem to build up a starter. I have a Cat OEM drawing of the gear in PDF I could send you if you like. I have considered having a small batch made but havent had much luck finding a shop that will make a small batch for less than thousands of dollars.[/quote]

Sorry to hear about breaking your arm!
Is there any chance of putting a CAT rear crank start on it if it comes down to cost on a ring gear conversion? These were available as an option when front mounted accessories were used.
Some of the more enterprising fellows have made rear electric starts also, see some of the previos threads on this.
A few guys have posted photo's of electric starters mounted in place of the crank also.

Here's a pic of the ring gear on a parts 20 I have. Kind of hard to get to for removal. Karl 530-533-2266


[attachment=15462]005.jpg[/attachment]

I didn't get a chance yesterday to look but, i will try today. I didn't see the thread you were talking about with the rear start, that does sound interesting because i was kind of thinking to come of the back shaft to start it, using pulleys and a kicker motor but I'd rather come up with a more permanent solution like the starter that's suppose to go in it, eventually I would like to restore it but for now I want to get her back to work.
Also want to say thank you for all the pictures and info, when I find out if i have the ring gear or not i probably buy your if possible.

If you have any more information on the old cat's, for internal engine parts, gaskets, ect, much appreciate it.

Chad,
Sorry to hear about you breaking your arm while cranking your caterpillar. I have a couple of hand crank tractors, with in-line engines, and one thing you never should do while cranking, is "spin" the engine. Always use a pull up motion, and always leave your hand open on the crank, never close your hand fully, This is so if the engine kicks back, the crank will pull your hand open, and being you are in a pulling motion, the hand should continue up, and clear the crank, if it rotates in the reverse direction.
I have several hand start John Deere's, but they won't break your arm, but if you have a strong grip, while spinning the flywheel, you might get a sore shoulder, when it tries to run in a reverse rotation.

ya it caught me off guard and i learned mt lesson.

There is a young kid "LCM" that posts here. He has a twentytwo with a rear electric start.
Put his name up in the search feature and all his posting will show up. One of the Threads was devoted to Rear Start hookups.

Found this pic. from the past. This is a simple way to have them start easy. A lot of tractors in our area were done like this in the 1970's to help them sell. This is a CAT 28 with a 20 rad. Bill