Converting Cub to 12 volt. (2024)

I ordered the 12 volt conversion kit and a 12 volt coil from Yesterday's Tractor, I'm wondering if there's anything else I'll need? I'm not worried about the lights right now because I don't have any. Should I use the old amp gauge or should I use a volt gauge? I know people are going to try and talk me out of the conversion but it's what I want to do. 6 volt just doesn't work for me. If it's dead I can't jump it or jump anything with it, I would like to make a small sprayer with a 12 volt pump and other reasons.

Thanks,
Jeff

I had an old cub and converted to 12V, yes it did spin faster and started right up.

However, my dad had a 1960 Cub ( I have it now) all original 6 V starter generator and all. He lived in NE Ohio and used it in the winter to plow his driveway...point is allot of cold winter starts. To my knowledge never failed him.

Still 6 v and starts like a dream. Keep a good battery (good gas) and all tuned up and they will run. Same for M and H he had. However M did not work in winter.

Just a couple of thoughts/experiences

I deeply appreciate those who endeavor to keep their tractors as close to original as possible. I also appreciate that tractor manufacturers kept making improvements to their equipment as needs arose and technology changed. There is good reason most tractors were 12v in the 60's, and good reasons they went to alternators over generators for tractors that were used every day. I converted my SA after 10 years of it working ok at 6v, but now it can keep up with lights when plowing snow at any RPM above an idle. My H came with a Delcotron (but a butcher job - the proper fix is on "the list").

I'd convert any equipment I own without an alternator to have one (without compromising the sheet metal), and 12v at that. It just makes it a whole lot easier than "standardizing" the pickup and car to 6v and a generator should one or another need a jump, or a winch, or common lights, or a radio, or...

First, let me say that it is your tractor and you can do as you wish with it. If you want to convert to 12V then do it. Your statement about using a sprayer with a 12 Volt pump is certainly valid.

I do want to comment on a couple of statements that have been made.

1. There is a way to jump a 6 Volt tractor from a 12 Volt system without blowing up the battery. If your 6 Volt battery and electrical system is in good condition then the need to jump the tractor should be rare. Most of the time when I have had to boost my tractors there was usually an underlying problem such as a battery with a bad cell or the ignition/fuel system had issues. A reluctance to spend money to properly maintain the tractor was usually my personal root cause.

2. Generators work fairly well if the entire electrical system is in good condition. I have found that my generator equipped tractors have very reliable electrical systems, most of which have required no repairs in over 20 years. Admittedly, alternators do have a much higher output and will charge at lower RPM's.