1964 704 want to go electric start

[Monkalunka 7]

hello folks, Ok we have the tractor and all is well and happy, but, and there is always a but. Is there any way to get this back to an electric start? This is the info that I have on the Horse

1964 Wheel Horse 704 garden tractor. This started life as a 654, but the engine was bad and I like the Kohler powered models better. The 654, 604 and 704 were all essentially the same tractor except for the engine. It has a PERFECT running Kohler (k181) 8hp engine. No smoke or unusual noises, it just runs FANTASTIC and starts on the first or second pull every time. I have changed all fluids (gear lube and engine oil) in the past year. It has the Miller Tire dual kit with four General 6-12 AG tires.

Tractor runs perfect as stated above so not sure if messing with it is worth it but I have already come this far and already looking at buying another tractor...LOL

by the way I am in St Louis and also looking for a deck and blades (mid and front for snow)

pics are under my profile...and...still not sure if I am doing this right

[JUSS10 250]

well if you want to go back to a 654 you would be dropping in a 6hp tecumseh with electric start. honestly i'd keep it as is. if it starts easy and runs perfectly why ditch it?! the k161 setup is superior to the techy anyways. do you have any other reasons for wanting to go electric start? did you want an onboard charging system or something?

[Monkalunka 7]

well my son wants lights on it and when I picked it up I saw that there is a light bar attachment for it or at least for the 654 that it was and also there is no kill switch on it other than on the motor and holes in the dash panel where the kill switch and the ingition are supposed to go...not a big deal I guess to most but if we are going to do it may as well do it correctly....I think...LOL

I really do not want to get rid of the Kohler, i mean it runs perfect...Jon was right

[Monkalunka 7]

what I really wish was that there was a manual that described what these things could do...all the attachments how they work and what all the pullies are for...I ordered one on CD for 7 bucks and got 8 pages of mostly diagram...which is worth the 7 bucks alone but wanted more of course.

[Rooster 191]

Is there room for a generator?

Maybe some of these guys could tell us, if So I think I have a generator for the Kohler.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,147]

Option 1: You can add a charging system/battery for lights without adding an electric starter. The hard part will be finding the combination magneto/stator, flywheel, etc.

That will be the only way you can use a standard U1 lawn & garden battery in a Kohler-powered short-frame tractor with the sloped hoodstand.

Option 2: Add all of the electrics from a newer engine. Gear drive starter, flywheel with ring gear, battery ignition system, rectifier/regulator, battery, etc.

If you do this, you will need to use a "motorcycle" battery in the stock battery location (between the engine and the lower steering support) or install the U1 L&G battery in the toolbox under the seat.

Option 3: Buy another tractor that already has an electric system. :ychain:

[kpinnc 13,739]

If you do this, you will need to use a "motorcycle" battery in the stock battery location (between the engine and the lower steering support) or install the U1 L&G battery in the toolbox under the seat.

Yep, they work great:

[Monkalunka 7]

How did I know that the best answer was to by another Horse...LOL...already have one in mind...looking at a 1966-1056 but I dont know much about thest things yet and didnt want to go too crazy too soon...i know i know the more the better but I like the round nose tractors and this is the furthest thing from it.

[Monkalunka 7]

Hey Rooster I am not really sure on the generator part because I have no idea where it hooks up and no idea how big they are...LOL...still trying to find a manual or something to show me what all I can do with this thing or if I can change the dash panel out to be a 704 or what is possible...kind of pulling my hair out at this point but I'm sure that someone will chime in and help me out, they always have!!! I think that would be the TT option 1

[Monkalunka 7]

by the way Thanks to Terry for the options!!!!!!

[farmerall 23]

If you just want to add light then why not jsut put a battery on it to power the lights and recharge the battery after a while.

[Monkalunka 7]

well I thought about that as well...the thing is that while not all original I still want to keep it close. If I spend a couple hundred dollars on an original light bar for the series then would like to see if I could get it to work off a generator if they were made and if even possible. Maybe I'm just a little crazy but those are the thoughts.

thanks for the post oldwheelhorse I do appreciate it. That will be our last option...I guess since when I picked it up and saw the original light bar the issue was created, I just had to have one...LOL

[squonk 42,543]

It may be easier to find an electric round hood with a Kohler. If it's nice, you can always sell the 704/654 and if it's rough you will have all the parts you need and you can see how they fit.

[MrTrimmier 12]

^{Rig your light and run them off of drill batteries... Easy to hide!! :0)}

^{How much run time are we talking here????}

^Regards

^{Mike T}