712H starting problems

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   hello everyone! I am new to the forums and I recently was given a allis-chalmers 712 Hydro riding lawn mower. I was told that it use to be one of the best riders you could get. I just thought my aunt was kidding until i did more research and saw all the things this model could do like snow plow, mow, etc. 

So a couple of questions, how do i know if i have a 3 speed gearbox and more importantly how do i get my rider started? I know the battery was dead so i charged it and now when i turn the key i hear a click but nothing happens. No turning of the starter or even a noise of the starter wanting to turn. i have a test light and saw the power was going to the spark plug at least but i'm not sure how to test a starter or the starter solenoid. 

Is there a way to bypass the need for an electric starter? I think riding lawn mowers would be MUCH better if they had pull starts. Thanks for the help guys!

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mustang99 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 10 Jun 2014 Location: MO Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote mustang99 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 712H starting problems Posted: 10 Jun 2014 at 3:06pm
	hello everyone! I am new to the forums and I recently was given a allis-chalmers 712 Hydro riding lawn mower. I was told that it use to be one of the best riders you could get. I just thought my aunt was kidding until i did more research and saw all the things this model could do like snow plow, mow, etc. So a couple of questions, how do i know if i have a 3 speed gearbox and more importantly how do i get my rider started? I know the battery was dead so i charged it and now when i turn the key i hear a click but nothing happens. No turning of the starter or even a noise of the starter wanting to turn. i have a test light and saw the power was going to the spark plug at least but i'm not sure how to test a starter or the starter solenoid. Is there a way to bypass the need for an electric starter? I think riding lawn mowers would be MUCH better if they had pull starts. Thanks for the help guys!

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Skyhighballoon(MO) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Pilot Grove, MO Points: 3115	Post Options Post Reply Quote Skyhighballoon(MO) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Jun 2014 at 10:00am
	First - if it's a 712H the "H" means hydro transmission and you simply adjust forward/rear speed by adjusting the right hand lever either forward/rear. There isn't a separate 3 speed gearbox. Allis also made a non-hydro 6 speed version of the 712. 2nd regarding the starter..... If you hear the selenoid click it sound like it is working. When you turn the key (might need 2 people to do this)...check if you have voltage on the output terminal of the solenoid going to the starter. If you do then you need to check the starter. It removes very easily with 2 bolts from the engine (after the cable is unhooked). Take it off and see if it turns freely. You can then use a set of jumper cables to hook it to a battery (+ to the terminal post and - to the frame to ground) to see if it runs. If it runs hooked to a battery you may want to put a set of vice grips on the front engine shaft to see if you can turn it over by hand..could be somewhat stuck if has been sitting around for years and not started... I just pulled my starter off my 712H last weekend and it turned out to be toast inside as the permanent magnets were busted (that's why you don't tap on the outside per the warning sticker). New starters for a Kohler K301 engine look to be about 50 bucks or so from my quick check on ebay but I need to be sure the new ones work on an older versions like my 712H. HTH. Mike
	1981 Gleaner F2 Corn Plus w 13' flex 1968 Gleaner EIII w 10' & 330 1969 180 gas 1965 D17 S-IV gas 1963 D17 S-III gas 1956 WD45 gas NF PS 1956 All-Crop 66 Big Bin 303 wire baler, 716H, 712H mowers

Steve in NJ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Andover, NJ Points: 11820	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve in NJ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Jun 2014 at 11:21am
	When things are clicking, that means power is going to them, the component or the connection is faulty. The first thing I would do especially if its been sitting for ages, is to clean all the connections up. Mother Nature gets into all those connections, makes corrosion, and a low voltage situation happens. Hence the "click". Remove the cables from the Battery, clean the ends going to the starter solenoid, and the starter motor and re-assemble and give it a try. As Mike mentioned, make sure the engine turn over and is free also. If the engine is stuck, that would give you the same scenario with the "Click". Any of the 700 series AC Tractors are tough machines, and can do pretty much any type of work from tilling, to plowing and the basic mowing... Steve@B&B
	39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife

mustang99 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 10 Jun 2014 Location: MO Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote mustang99 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Jun 2014 at 3:57pm
	I was able to turn the crank from the front by hand. Didn't even need a vice grip or anything. The mower last ran a month or two ago and then stopped running due to a battery is what she said. Connections look decent just lots of dirt from all the times it mowed. Although due to its age i might just replace the switch, solenoid and starter and call it good. This electrical testing/troubleshooting is making my head spin.