48’ ignition switch

[Scooter1]

Took the cub out yesterday to clean up and move some firewood.
Noticed the ignition switch has become extremely tight/stiff to push and pull?
Any recommendation what to look for or just replace it. 6v magneto system

[tst]

put a drop of oil on it and work it a few times

[farmtrac]

Try a small amount of oil on the stem, and if anyone has tightened the nut recently it will make it harder to pull.

[Nelson 634]

Silicone spray. Just a drop on the rubber grommet under the nut.

[Scooter1]

Well still the sam3 issue
Extremely difficult to pull and push.

[Nelson 634]

Back off the nut a 1/4 turn. The nut compresses the rubber grommet around the stem. The tighter it gets the harder it will get to pull or push.

[Waif]

Argued with one a while.
It didn't get better.
New one resolved the issue.

[Scooter1]

I have backed the nut completely of and still at them point I have to pry it on?
I will take it out this weekend and investigate but tm tractor is out of stock on the single pole import replacement

[Nelson 634]

Well, I was wrong. I thought that switch had a rubber grommet under the nut that attaches it to the dash. Not so at least not the one on my desk in front of me. I just happen to have it off of one of my tractors cleaning it when I read this thread so I thought I would be able to help out. So tonight since I hadn't put it back on I took the nut off and removed the grommet. Only trouble is it wasn't a rubber grommet. It was made out of leather. If yours is the same, silicone may not be the best agent. I should have known tst was on the mark. 1/2" outside dia. 1/4" inside dia. 1/8" thick, nut is tapered at the back so as to tighten around the stem.

[Nelson 634]

Maybe some penetrating type oil? Or what use to be called sewing machine oil. 3 in 1 oil . Maybe slip a nail through hole in the stem and turn it back and forth.

[Don McCombs]

How about Neat’s Foot Oil? Do they even still sell that?

[JimCub48]

Graphite may work,it works wonders.

[Eugene]

Until you replace the IH style magneto switch.

Inexpensive single pole toggle switch from auto parts store. One switch terminal to ground, other terminal to magneto.

[Jim Becker]

Well, I was wrong. I thought that switch had a rubber grommet under the nut that attaches it to the dash. Not so at least not the one on my desk in front of me. I just happen to have it off of one of my tractors cleaning it when I read this thread so I thought I would be able to help out. So tonight since I hadn't put it back on I took the nut off and removed the grommet. Only trouble is it wasn't a rubber grommet. It was made out of leather. If yours is the same, silicone may not be the best agent. I should have known tst was on the mark. 1/2" outside dia. 1/4" inside dia. 1/8" thick, nut is tapered at the back so as to tighten around the stem.

I thought they had a felt ring around the stem. If so, I'd see if I could pull the felt out with a pick. The clean it with a good hand cleaner that works on grease, rinse, allow it to dry thoroughly, and put oil (or maybe lubriplate) on it.

[Nelson 634]

It may be 75 year old felt with the accompanying amount of dirt and oil or grease. It was firm like leather but it could be felt. That's how I got it out with a pick. Just taking it out and not tightening it down so tight may solve his problem. I think removing it is the key. He'll find out what his is, felt ,rubber , leather. He can lubricate the stem if it needs it, clean it if he wants.