Needing some Advice on a D2

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best of luck and keep safe-

Hi Hanna, I second JM's recommendation to add an electric start to the pony vs. electric start to the main engine if you're ok with dinking around with the pony which need some amount of ongoing care and attention. If they're just right, they'll start easily with a gentle pull on the starter rope. But my experience has been that they're seldom "just right". Converting your tractor to electric pony start would require replacing the dash (unless you're ok with just cutting a hole in the dash), changing the top cover on the pony (requires removing all the stuff that sits on top of it - magneto, carburettor, governor), using the matching oil breather assembly, adding a battery box, cables (00 gauge preferred), and switch. Alternatively, an electric start main engine would require a battery box, cables, switches, and the starter motor. You'd need to drill the appropriate holes in the flywheel housing, and procure a starter motor (typiically a 40MT with the correct nose and pinion gear). Hard to say which would be easier - all depends on your circumstances, what you're comfortable working on (or having someone work on), and parts availability. I believe a new 40MT with the nose and gear might run about 700-800. You need less battery capacity with an electric start pony vs. the 40MT so there's a price difference there. You can go 12 or 24v on the 40MT - most go 24v to reduce the cost of the cabling. You don't need a working generator /alternator if you put the batteries on charge after your day is done because the only current draw will be when you actually start the engine.
What's your general location? Reason is that electric start pony components you'd need are more common on the left coast, and there are a lot more members over that way that could check on your progress. Of course, lots of photos and such of the machine help with context. Post your serial number and some shots of the area below the pony pinion controls, the left side of the dash, and the fenders

Dont forget that you need to change the flywheel on the pony also. Factory electric start pony uses 3 belts, not 2. I have a D2 and a D4 with a 12 volt motor on the fender, mounted on a hinge. It uses the rope groove for the belt and the better of the two set ups has a handle with a starter button on it. Pull the lever/handle to tighten the belt and then push the button. The only thing to be careful off is getting your foot caught up in it if you get into the drivers seat with the pony still running. I keep thinking of building a shield of some kind. Much cheaper and easier than the other options. Grant.

Dont forget that you need to change the flywheel on the pony also. Factory electric start pony uses 3 belts, not 2. I have a D2 and a D4 with a 12 volt motor on the fender, mounted on a hinge. It uses the rope groove for the belt and the better of the two set ups has a handle with a starter button on it. Pull the lever/handle to tighten the belt and then push the button. The only thing to be careful off is getting your foot caught up in it if you get into the drivers seat with the pony still running. I keep thinking of building a shield of some kind. Much cheaper and easier than the other options. Grant.

“12 volt motor on the fender, mounted on a hinge. It uses the rope groove for the belt and the better of the two set ups has a handle with a starter button on it. Pull the lever/handle to tighten the belt and then push the button. “

THIS is what I’m thinking. Do you have any pictures of this? Did you re-purpose an old starter motor? And if so off of what? Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Neil, you are correct. I am visualizing the flywheel and thinking in terms of the rope groove being a belt groove. My mistake. The factory electric start flywheel has one more belt groove than the regular flywheel. I have put them side by side to see if another groove could be machined into a standard flywheel. I think that would work

Potato Wilson, both of my D2s with the home made starter system are pieced together and each is a little different. I dont know if the starter motors were made from auto or truck starters, but you just need to be able to put a proper pully on the end. I will try to take photos this weekend. Grant.