[AT] Tractor batteries

[Charlie V]

As I recall from my early days of auto training, Ford was the main brand
with a positive ground.  GM certainly and I think Chrysler products ( not
sure ) were typically negative ground.  GM and Mopar mechanics usually
loved to say that those d at xx Fords were backwards, and visa versa with the
Ford mechanics.  I have no idea why each was set up as it was set up as
they were.  I think I do recall hearing the statement that positive ground
was the natural direction for DC current to flow, or at least some thought
that.  I do not recall any of the spark plug or unusual corrosion problems
previously mentioned even though I owned and drove several of the positive
grounded vehicles.  Now as far as farm machinery:  Do not know how most
were wired except of course Ford tractors were + ground because they were
Fords.  All of our tractors were totally unconflicted that way.  They had
no batteries, only a crank that was put on the front and turned for
starting.

Charlie V.


On Fri, Jan 17, 2014 at 3:13 PM, Spencer Yost <yostsw at atis.net> wrote:

> I always thought it was coincidental:   The adoption of 12V happened
> roughly the same time negative ground was being adopted; so many
> manufacturers did both at the same time.
>
> Like Steve, I heard corrosion of ground points was the reason for the
> grounding switch but I have no idea if that is correct.
>
> Spencer
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Jan 17, 2014, at 0:06, Greg Hass <ghass at m3isp.com> wrote:
> >
> > Was looking at some old tractor stuff online and was reminded of
> > something I  have know for years but have never, at least in my failing
> > memory, seen a plausible explanation as to why most 6 volt tractors have
> > positive grounds whereas 12 volt tractors have negative ground.  At
> > first I thought it could be because 6 volts had generators, however, our
> > first 12 volt tractors had generators and later models had alternators
> > so that doesn't seem to be the reason. Any and all answers would be
> great.
> >      Greg Hass
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