[AT] Battery cables...was MF202 ground

[HaliganBar at aol.com]

Thanks to all the list members that offered suggestions for relocating the 
ground on my MF202. What started this issue was problems starting after our 
first real snow fall of the winter and temps of 6 degrees.

Today I took advantage of the typical New England winter weather...46 degrees 
and partly sunny (over the years I've learned that ANY weather the occurs 
during the winter months in New England is typical) to change my battery cables. 
I was very surprised to discover that the proper connection point for the 
ground IS on the back of the instrument panel...complete with a threaded brass 
attachment point for the bolt. I started by removing the battery cables and 
cleaning up the connection points at the solenoid, starter, and ground lug. The old 
cables looked kinda ratty especially the positive cable. I had picked up a 
couple of new 1 gauge cables but, hadn't planned on replacing the original cable 
between the solenoid and the starter. So, I cut the long cable and attached 
my only spare lug to it. I then added some heavy duty heat shrink to all the 
cable ends to keep any moisture out. A dab of silicone grease to all the 
connections and I reattached everything. I used the old ground cable but, just until 
I can get a new lug for the end of the cable I cut. Everything worked great 
and the tractor started right up...of course the real test will be the next time 
the temps drop into the single digits.

All in all a nice, stress relieving, tractor day....a great way to start 2005!

Karl