where is battery

jake wilken · Post by **jake wilken** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 8:41 pm

I just bought a 1975 John Deere 300. It seems to be in good shape and starts on the first pull without choke or anything

Judging from the looks of the ignition switch (it turns clockwise and then turns back like starting a ride mower) this sled is capable of having a electric start. Is this true? Where is the battery located I didnt see it under the hood and dont know how to check under the seat...cant even figure out how to get the seat off

:blink: please help and if this does take a battery can i use any 12 volt atv battery? thanks Jake

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:50 am

Well Jake, electric start was an option. In my limited experience, a fairly rare one.
First you would need a starter installed, the ignition switches were the same whether you had electric start or not. On the sleds I'm familiar with, the battery box was on the right hand side of the engine, just ahead of your foot.

JDFanPa · Post by **JDFanPa** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:58 am

most or nearly any ignition switch in a vintage sled of any make have the start position you are talking about and probably 90% didnt have elec start. Like Brian stated it is a rare option and it may not have been 1 period on the 300 model. Dont take the seat off theres only wires going to the tailight there. If you really want to though there should be 2 bolts at the rear of the sled underneath holding it then you just lift the back up and slide back.

harleysportster · Post by **harleysportster** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:42 pm

Jake,
The battery box would be located up under the hood bolted to the frame on the right side. The electric start kit was a dealer and / or owner installed item. The kit consited of the battery box, wiring, starter motor . Most engines have the flywheel set up with the ring gear already installed, but there are a few that don't and then the flywheel would have to be changed out also.

jake wilken · Post by **jake wilken** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 4:00 pm

well that explains it then. I looked under the hood and there is no battery box or starter there. I guess I should be thankful that it starts on the first pull anyway. At least in the temp. here now it does. thanks for the prompt replies guys. I may have a few more questions coming up. A guy at work said he would give me his 1975 johnd deere 440 sled. Said he had it running a little a few years ago maybe I can get it running or just keep it for emergency parts

harleysportster · Post by **harleysportster** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 4:44 pm

Jake,
I would take the sled. Tell us which model it is. It could be a JD 800 or JDX8 with the 440 engine in it. The 800 has a boggie wheel suspension and the x8 has a slide rail suspension.

JoeRainville · Post by **JoeRainville** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 5:39 pm

Hey Guys,

You can find the electric start kits for the 300's once in a while. I have one, but it's missing parts.

Odd thing about adding electric start to the Kohler 295AX motor is that the ring gear fits on a hub that you press on to the PTO (clutch) end of the crank. The ring gear is not on the flywheel like the CCW / Kioritz and most other motors. I think Yamaha had a wierd set up like that with a ring gear on the clutch itself too.

BTW, take any free Deere sled you get offered! Can't beat the price...

-Joe Rainville
"Tech-Ed"