Hi,
here is a link to one of Toby's tutorials on how the pinion latch system works--you should be able to see where to push on one of the latch ends to get the pinion to unlatch so you can start the pony without the excessive drag that occurs with the pinion latched.



Alas, you will have to do this thru the main clutch adjustment cover opening as OM suggested.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

Thanks edb that is exactly what I needed to know even if it ridiculously hard to disengage the pinion on my early cat!

Hey guys, Can I get the starter hardware for this old of a unit. Or perhaps I've seen someone rig up a electric motor and a belt to turn over the pony motor. ????

I have the starter/generator and fan belt used to start the pony on my 5U. If you are interested let me know and I can post pictures and info. I think if you search under Potato Head pony starter you might find my recent post.

shinjigatai wrote:

D2gary the serial number is correct. 5J115. the D2 is in Idaho at my fathers house (which I now own) in Pocatello Idaho. I will look for a plate Neil the next time I'm up there. I don't think the Pinion is disengaged even if you return the pinion handle to the disengaged position Dpendzic. And the engine is turning when I pull the pony motor over.
I'm getting no firing, not even a chug, and dread pulling it a hundred times while I'm trying to figure out the issue. Can I get the starter hardware for this old of a unit. Or perhaps I've seen someone rig up a electric motor and a belt to turn over the pony motor. ????


 

i have done that pulled the pinion in by mistake until the main fires it wont release if everything is as it should be (unless you go in and manually trip it it as the others have said) if the pinion lever has no weight on it the pinion is engaged). it wont hurt any thing.

have you got the ignition switch in the on position as that will stop the magneto from firing if not in the right spot or if faulty.

and i have done the mains powered electric motor, pry bar for tensioning and vee belt trick a few times as i could never get the pilot to rope start it takes a helper to turn the power on though. dad could rope start it i couldnt. our mechanic used the same trick when they had it in the workshop. the electric start pony had that any way if you can find the parts to make yours that way great.
it is also possible to convert these to direct electric start john davis auto-electrical in toowoomba qld makes conversion kits for them.

Ideally, you would get the factory unit. Does your tractor have any part of an electric start unit on the pony already? Shoot a photo of the pony...
Sometimes a portion of the unit has been removed, or none at all (solo rope start). The factory ones are getting harder to source. The old timer I used to get parts from said a junked pony usually lost the electric goodies immediately. I suppose you could call General Gear and ask for availability, that is after you know what you need.