Potential 420c Purchase

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krob
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Potential 420c Purchase

Post by krob » Sun Dec 26, 2021 5:33 pm

I went and glanced at a 420c today….it was snowing and ugly outside.

It starts. Doesn’t stay running. Sounds like a ignition issue.

Drive sprocket on one side was worn. Drive sprocket on the other side was in really good shape. Of course I don’t recall which one is which. But one looked like one off a MC (I have one of those) and the other looked totally different. Thoughts? Can you use MC drive sprockets on a 420?

Other thing that I caught was it has a 12v battery but looked like a stock generator. What damages may have been done?

Thanks for any hints.
One good MC and several part machines.

dtoots1
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Re: Potential 420c Purchase

Post by dtoots1 » Tue Dec 28, 2021 4:19 pm

if it starts and runs , check and see what volts the generator is putting out, it may have been upgraded to 12 volts or actually be a 12 volt gen

krob
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Re: Potential 420c Purchase

Post by krob » Tue Dec 28, 2021 8:40 pm

Thanks. How would I check the voltage on the generator without disconnecting the battery? Or am I stupid and I just need to look at it.
One good MC and several part machines.

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Stan Disbrow
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Re: Potential 420c Purchase

Post by Stan Disbrow » Wed Dec 29, 2021 5:39 am

Hi,

Easy. Hook up meter to battery and read voltage. Should be about 12.5 v. Start machine. Voltage drops from load then rise up to around 13.8 v. If not, then you know it isn't charging.

The ignition issue may well be there is no resistor added into the line feeding the coil. That would make the coil, condensor and points all unhappy.

Stan
There's No Such Thing As A Cheap Crawler!

Useta Have: '58 JD 420c 5-roller w/62 inside blade
Useta Have: '78 JD350C w/6310 outside blade
Useta Have: '68 JD350, '51 Terratrac GT-25
Have: 1950 M, 2005 x495, 2008 5103 (now known as 5045D)

Jim B
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Re: Potential 420c Purchase

Post by Jim B » Wed Dec 29, 2021 5:54 am

Look for a tag on the generator.

Delco Remy generators had tags on them (not saying it hasn't been removed or a rebuilt was installed at some point). In general, if the tag has a black background, they are 6 volts. 12-volt tags had a red background. 6 or 12 volts was generally embossed on the tags.
Jim

dtoots1
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Re: Potential 420c Purchase

Post by dtoots1 » Wed Dec 29, 2021 9:30 am

Also, one other thing to check is see if battery is set up negative ground....6 volts usually are positive ground...that is positive battery post cable is grounded to the frame and negative cable goes to starter....not sure if 12 volt generator was hooked up same way though..anyone else know????

EDIT..Also generators have to be polarized in order to charge the battery, instructions are in the book.

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Lavoy
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Re: Potential 420c Purchase

Post by Lavoy » Wed Dec 29, 2021 1:45 pm

Extremely unlikely that the generator has been rebuilt as a 12 volt. My money is on a band aid 12 volt conversion by just throwing a 12 volt battery in the machine.
Laovy
Parts and restoration for antique and late model John Deere crawlers.
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Stan Disbrow
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Re: Potential 420c Purchase

Post by Stan Disbrow » Thu Dec 30, 2021 5:50 am

Hi,

That is my thinking as well. So I would count on all the 6v bits being in trouble by now....

Stan
There's No Such Thing As A Cheap Crawler!

Useta Have: '58 JD 420c 5-roller w/62 inside blade
Useta Have: '78 JD350C w/6310 outside blade
Useta Have: '68 JD350, '51 Terratrac GT-25
Have: 1950 M, 2005 x495, 2008 5103 (now known as 5045D)

krob
420 crawler
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Location: E. Oregon

Re: Potential 420c Purchase

Post by krob » Tue Jan 04, 2022 8:49 pm

Thanks for the insight. I will hopefully looking at it again this coming weekend. If the price is right it may come home.
One good MC and several part machines.

Ray III
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Re: Potential 420c Purchase

Post by Ray III » Wed Jan 19, 2022 8:01 am

Jim B wrote:
Wed Dec 29, 2021 5:54 am
Look for a tag on the generator.

Delco Remy generators had tags on them (not saying it hasn't been removed or a rebuilt was installed at some point). In general, if the tag has a black background, they are 6 volts. 12-volt tags had a red background. 6 or 12 volts was generally embossed on the tags.
Jim
Now you tell me this. I painted the tag on my original generator red, because that's how I've seen Delco-Remy tags. That ought to confuse the auctioneers after I die.

Jim B
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Re: Potential 420c Purchase

Post by Jim B » Wed Jan 19, 2022 8:10 am

And they generally had 6 or 12 volts embossed in the tag. Does yours? People put the wrong voltage reproduction tags on them as well. I doubt an auctioneer will even notice that, unless it is being looked at as a 100% restoration. :wink:

krob
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Re: Potential 420c Purchase

Post by krob » Sun Jan 30, 2022 4:38 pm

I went and looked at it again. I never did investigate enough to figure out 6v or 12v generator. It stalled out when you tried to turn it and I decided to pass on it due to the amount of clutch work it was probably going to need.
One good MC and several part machines.

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