10-20 McCormick Oil Cups?

Anonymous-0 · Oct 22, 2013

Could anyone explain to me the purpose of the 4 oil cups on top of the valve cover of my 10-20? I assume that they are for lubricating the valve train, but possibly that 2 of them could be primer cups for gasoline for easier starting? I would hate to fill them all with oil, only to find it impossible to start, as it is hard enough starting currently.

Nebraska Cowman · Oct 22, 2013

exactly. The tall ones are the primers. If you are running the tractor on gasoline you probably don't need to use them but you might try it once to see if it starts better. Swing the top cover aside and turn the top half of the primer counter-clockwise a little to open it and then use a squirt oil can to add a little gasoline. You might want to take the primers off and clean them and make sure they are doing what they are supposed to. They are threaded on to short pieces of 1/8 in pipe. Sometimes the pipe will unscrew with the primer.

The short cups are to oil the valve train. Again use a squirt oil can filled with whatever lubricating oil you use in the engine. I think the instructions call for 10 drops daily or something like that. The oil goes into a trough with felt wicks to oil the rockers. Extra won't hurt anything. It will just run out the vent pipe onto the ground. At least that's the way it's supposed to work.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 22, 2013

Great info, thanks much, this will keep me from unnecessary struggles now that I have a better understanding. This tractor is new to me, not running when purchased, but runs great now, just difficult to start, in fact I've been starting it with belt power off another running tractor.

Tom Fleming · Oct 22, 2013

yup, everything Cowman said, plus a little more. If the carb, timing, mag, plug wires, and plugs are right, these old girls will cold start in 1-2 cranks if your technique is correct.

Here is what an old timer taught me:

with the mag grounded, 1/3-1/2 throttle, full choke. Turn engine over 2-3 times. Set choke off, set mag to 1/3 advance, leave throttle alone. Start at the 6 o'clock position, and give a quick up pull, cupping your hand, making sure not to wrap your thumb around the crank handle. Most of mine (except the cantankerous F-12) start on 1-2 pulls. Everytime. When warm, no need for choke or to turn engine over with the mag grounded.

An F-series tractor, when right, starts EASY..........but everything has to be right. BTW, the above instructions assumes that the fuel has been turned on for long enough to fill the carb bowl.

Janicholson · Oct 22, 2013

If it is still tough to start, listen to the Magneto impulse coupling snapping, if no noise when hand cranking, the impulse coupling is not working. This would make it pretty easy to belt or pull start, but near impossible to crank start. Jim

10-20 McCormick Oil Cups?

Anonymous-0

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Nebraska Cowman

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Anonymous-0

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Tom Fleming

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Janicholson

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