fireman 1,022 #1 Posted April 5, 2013 Ever since I got the Senior, I keep getting whipped in the face with the starter rope. The Wisconsin engine has long stroke and gives you a workout sometimes to start it. So I had a thought. Why not make something sot of like the guys use on drag cars. A hand held, battery operated remote starter. I got an old starter/generator from SteveBo. It didn't work and was missing the voltage regulator which I wouldn't need anyway. I picked up a new set of brushes for it and proceeded to pull it apart and clean and rebuild it. After that it worked great. Added handles, solenoid, push button and alligator clips with cable from an broken trickle charger. Now I can just stand next to the tractor with the starter and a long "V" belt and start the tractor. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,539 #2 Posted April 5, 2013 Make sure you don't put that thing away at the next show after you fire your sr up!! you own me at least one or two starts on mine!! lol. Nice work as usual! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diesel cowboy 263 #3 Posted April 5, 2013 Thats a good idea. I know what its like to get whipped with the rope trying to start some of my old tractors and it isnt fun. Stewart Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
855ownerJoel 32 #4 Posted April 5, 2013 Ready for the race track now..... fire her up.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 723 #5 Posted April 5, 2013 You could of just not stood in front of the rope pull... LOL! I wounder if there is a way to modify a recoil system in order to engage the crank nut instead... that way there is no chance of the belt flying off when it starts and two eliminate the need for you to create tension within the belt during the starting process. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheelhorsestory 210 #6 Posted April 5, 2013 My face is full of rope burns too. Its worth getting whipped in the face just to own a Rideaway Senior (LOL). Seriously, have you thought about getting your magneto rebuilt? There is a guy in Jewett City who rebuilds magnetos for old tractors and firetrucks. I have used him before and he is excellent. With a strong magneto, the Wisconsin should fire up on a quarter pull. My RS-83 has the six volt starter system which uses an ignition timer instead of a magneto, but it fires up on less than a full revolution. Also try pressing in the clutch to start it. I have a little hook that holds my clutch pedal down if needed.This makes starting a lot easier. Good luck and congratulations on a great piece of American History. Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,022 #7 Posted April 5, 2013 That's a great idea about holding down the clutch Mike. I know when I start the tractor even in Neutral it wants to drive forwards. I think the magneto has plenty of power. It does fire up pretty easy. It's just stubborn some times. I probably should at least put some new points in the magneto though. They're probably the originals! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
octfst 378 #8 Posted April 5, 2013 I love it. I have a few starter generators. I will have to build one for my Senior. could use on other tractors too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,022 #9 Posted April 5, 2013 Went over to SteveBo's house today as he wanted to get his Senior out and test fit it in his trailer. We rolled it out of the garage and got it set to start. The starter wouldn't turn over the Wisconsin Engine. Then we realized why. The wire I used to connect it to the battery was not a heavy enough gauge. We hooked his jump box up to the battery side of the solenoid and the ground bolt. It turned the engine over no problem. One thing we did realize would be easier is to take off one of the handles and put a short pole in place of it. It does tend to get heavy. This way you can just put the bottom of the pole on the ground and against the bottom of the front tire and just hold tension with the upper handle. I will make the necessary changes and try it again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,744 #10 Posted April 5, 2013 Great idea! Probably a little safer than the person that used a cordless drill with a socket on the crank! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbartlett1958 99 #11 Posted April 6, 2013 I was wondering about the wire size when I first looked at your picture. Thought it looked a little small. We want a Video! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rydogg 186 #12 Posted April 6, 2013 Great idea! Probably a little safer than the person that used a cordless drill with a socket on the crank! I used this method on a little rope start k90 that was giving me problems...it worked great but the socket would get stuck on the bolt once the engine was running and you had to wonder where it was going to go when it worked its way off. When I used to race go karts we used a similar starting kit for our engines it was made by Burris and was a complete system that held the starter and battery you could also get them with a gear reduction for the high compression engines. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chevelletown 37 #13 Posted April 6, 2013 Here is one with electric start 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Road-Track 39 #14 Posted April 6, 2013 Is there room on the front of the Wisconsin to attach a Wisconsin hand pulley like to ones used on the 21 hp Wisconsin engines on pony 66 New Holland balers? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
