Tractor Repair: Ford 2000, fuel guage, shift levers

Question
Arnie
I have a 1969 Ford 2000 (Agriculture All Purpose, Gas, Live 540 PTO, 8 Speed) Tractor. I went out to start it for the first time in a couple of months and when I turned the key I got nothing. The lights and fuel guage would work but not even a click from the starter. I charged the battery, tried to jump start it, and changed the solenoid to no avail. I know that I am getting power to the starter. What I don't know is if their is some type of safety switch that maybe isn't making a good connection? Also, I believe that this model has to be in Low gear in order to start? I am somewhat of an experienced mechanic. The tractor seemed to run fine when I parked it and now I can't get the starter to turn over at all. Any ideas or info would be a great help.

Heres the numbers I pulled off of it if you need them.

Tractor
C257156

Model
B1023C

Unit
9M03B

Engine
9L3B

Transmission
9K23B

Thanks

Justin

Answer
Hello,

  There is safety switch either operated either by the clutch pedal or the shift linkage.  The shift levers (range lever also if equipped) should be in neutral, and with the clutch pedal down there should be 12 volts at the small wire terminal on the solenoid.  If not, there is either a poor connection somewhere or the safety switch is bad, or the key switch is bad.  Newer tractors have a safety switch on the pto lever also so it can't start with the pto engaged.  To verify if the starter works, you can try jumping from the battery cable connection on the solenoid to the small terminal to bypass the key switch and safety switches.  But do this carefully with someone sitting in the seat holding down the clutch pedal.  Many people have been run over by a tractor that started when they did this even though they thought it was in neutral.