jimoshel Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 This has absolutely nothing to do with MJ but considering the backgrounds of the people here maybe someone knows. Yesterday I bought a MTD garden tractor from the widow of my best friend. She gave me a battery she said went with it. Problem is, there is no way this battery will work unless it's a positive ground system. To the best of my knowledge +ground went out in the '50's. I could just hook it up and when the big cloud of smoke dissipates then I will know I was wrong. I really don't want to burn anything up. It's a MTD tractor with a B&S 16 HP engine. Can any body help? Jim :dunno: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I couldn't imagine that its + ground Is there any model info on the tractor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted May 7, 2011 Author Share Posted May 7, 2011 I couldn't imagine that its + ground Is there any model info on the tractor? Nothing. I looked good. I can't believe it;s pos ground either, but I'd just like to know for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I'm gonna guess that she was wrong about the battery. There should be some numbers stamped in the engine tins,from those you can determine the build date of the engine and get an idea how old the thing is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I think the only way it could be + ground is if it is a 6VDC system. Most all yard tractors went to - ground when they converted to 12VDC systems. Not positive about MTD though - pun intended. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 I'm sure it is negative ground, but how do you reckon that the battery can't work in it unless it's positive ground? Most all of the yard tractors today (MTD, Craftsman, ___ and ___) all stick the battery under the seat and the cables are long enough to reach the battery terminals regardless of whether they're "right handed" or "left handed." I use the "wrong" battery in my Craftsman because that way it matches a larger Wheelhorse tractor and I can swap the batteries back and forth at random. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted May 8, 2011 Author Share Posted May 8, 2011 The cables are to short to cross and the battery posts will not clear under the cowling if put in neg to ground. Anyway figured it out. It's the wrong battery. She was just confused. Noticed an amp gauge on the dash. Unhooked everything on the load side. Hooked a head light to it. Hooked a 12volt battery pos to the hot side of meter. Meter showed discharge so it's neg ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdriver1 Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 get yourself signed up on this -- my tractor forum -- loads of helpfull folks http://www.mytractorforum.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deziped Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 get yourself signed up on this -- my tractor forum -- loads of helpfull folkshttp://www.mytractorforum.com/ Sometimes they are, but, I just spent a week on Troy-Bilt & MTD forums trying to find out the torque values for bolting the trans axle aluminum halves back together after R&Ring bearings & Bushing. Finally just winged it and hope I got it close to spec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdriver1 Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 WOW sorry to hear that -- I've spent quite abit of time on the sears/craftsman forum with my '65 suburban 10 -- :wrench: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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