MD Battery Cables

Hattrick · Nov 9, 2012

I was hoping someone could help me out on the battery cable lengths on my MD. I do not yet have a battery box and intend to have a single box under the gas tank. I have the original cable that goes from the Start switch to the starter so I am good on that one. I would like to know the correct length of the cable from Battery negative to start switch and also the correct length from batter positive to ground. I am asking as I am not sure exactly where the box will be mounted and would like to get the cables right when I do get a box if that makes sense.

rustyfarmall · Nov 9, 2012

Didn't the MDs have two batteries? One in a box under the tank and the second was in a box located just to the left of the seat?

IAtractorKid · Nov 9, 2012

Originally they had two 6V batteries. Only ever seen a couple
that still have 2, and yes one set beside the seat on the
platform. One big 12V under the tank will do just fine. Just use
big cables...1/0 or so. Cant help with lengths as my MD is 80
miles away at my parents farm. If you not in a huge hurry, you
can buy cables from The Brillman Co. Also a guy selling cable
sets on ebay now; would be the same as used on a plain ole M
w/foot starter.

sflem849 · Nov 9, 2012

(quoted from post at 09:56:04 11/09/12)
Didn't the MDs have two batteries? One in a box under the tank and the second was in a box located just to the left of the seat?

Close, it is under your right butt cheek. (That is a "reworked" PTO lever)

DeltaRed · Nov 9, 2012

You're getting "the cart before the horse".Get your battery(s) in place BEFORE you get the cables.Then it will be an easy deal to measure up the correct lenght/route.If you get the cables first,I'd garrantee that atleast one of them will be wrong.BTDT

rhtx55 · Nov 9, 2012

I am afraid each tractor is just a bit different, so what works on one will either be too short or too long on another. Best way is to custom fabricate to length. Use a roll of cheap 3/8 hose to pre-route your battery cables, cut the hose to length, then you can use the lengths to fabricate new cables out of double ought welding cable. The more fine copper strands the better.

sflem849 · Nov 9, 2012

(quoted from post at 16:56:56 11/09/12) I am afraid each tractor is just a bit different, so what works on one will either be too short or too long on another. Best way is to custom fabricate to length. Use a roll of cheap 3/8 hose to pre-route your battery cables, cut the hose to length, then you can use the lengths to fabricate new cables out of double ought welding cable. The more fine copper strands the better.

I would have to guess they were all the same length from the factory.

D Slater · Nov 9, 2012

On a MD there was no positive to ground wire from the under tank box. Wire from battery negative post to starter switch would be close to a gasoline tractor length or the same and also the ground wire. IH did have a different part # for a gas and diesel battery to starting switch wire. Suspect that may be more to do with wire size than length. I could measure some and get you close, but chances are the battery you use may have different post placement than the original battery or the one I would measure from.

n9lhm · Nov 13, 2012

Good job on keeping it original. I made up a mount to use a regular M under-gas-tank battery box to mount it on the transmission top on my MD since I couldn"t get the original correct box for under the seat. If you keep your eyes open at RPRU you might be able to find the correct battery-to-battery cable, they are covered in steel armor and have the clips to secure them.

MD Battery Cables

Hattrick

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rustyfarmall

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IAtractorKid

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sflem849

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DeltaRed

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rhtx55

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sflem849

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D Slater

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n9lhm

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