How To Install An Hour Meter On Your Tractor

In this video I show you how to install an hour meter on your tractor. This is being done on a John Deere 214, but the basic procedure would be pretty much the same for just about any make and model tractor. You just need a switched 12V source and place to mount the meter. Thanks for watching!
Music Credit:
All Good In The Wood by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: audionautix.com/

[@petermolnar8667]

Hey! Larger tractors use the oil pressure to determine if the engine is running. So you'd have to get an ignition live source (already done in this case) and then install a relay to open the circuit when the oil pressure warning light is on 👍 The alternator can be also a good source, no relay in that case

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

This isn’t the case for all “larger” tractors, but definitely an option to make sure leaving the key on doesn’t let the hour meter run, which is a common problem, even on larger equipment.

[@MrTrapper28]

Your voice matches (exactly) the detective who interviewed Colonel Russell Williams.

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

Definitely similar for sure, other than the Canadian accent.

[@GetRealBaby]

Interesting video, thanks for sharing! I have an hour meter that came out of a vintage EZ-Go golf cart that looks almost identical to yours. It's a Datcon, but it's not working. Is there any way to tinker with this meter to get it running again? Also, because it's a golf cart timer that came out of a 36v Ez-Go, I'm wondering if it needs the full 36volts, or will 12volts work? And...is there a way of resetting the timer to 00000? Thanks for any input.

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

There’s generally no good way to reset an hour meter since it would invite tampering with the supposed hours on a piece of equipment. As far as replacing yours, you should find the schematic for your cart to figure out how it’s set up to determine what voltage is powering it. Many hour meters will work across a broad voltage range but you’ll need to confirm compatibility before buying a replacement. There’s not much you can do to fix the original.

[@GetRealBaby]

@@outdoorpowerhouse Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

No problem!

[@ikaro1120]

I have a Troy Built tractor with lights that come on when the ignition switch is on ( there's no lights switch) can I attached the hour meters straight to the lights? Thanks

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

As long as they’re only on when the ignition is on I don’t see why not.

[@montiraruba2831]

On my 1951 John Deere Model B tractor, I connected my hour meter to the ignition coil input lead 12 Volt. That way the hour meter counts when the engine is running. If you connect it to your ignition switch, by just turning the ignition to ON it start counting even if the engine is NOT running. Not very accurate that way.

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

You already have incentive to not leave the ignition on with the engine off on your Model B since you risk frying the points by leaving the ignition on without the engine running. With any of my tractors, there’s very little reason to ever have the ignition on without the engine on, so much so that every tractor I’ve ever seen with an hour meter like the one in this video and came with it from the factory are also set up the same way.

[@vipinvidya]

So it means the hour meter keeps on running when the ignition, is on ri8.. Doesn't have any link to engine running

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

Yes, even in this case where I used the factory hour meter wire, the hour meter runs when the ignition is on. There’s no sort of feedback available from the engine that indicates that it’s running that could be used to run the meter.

[@juancox99]

Hi, I need to wire the hour meter to engine real hours, no ignition, because maintenance is done counting machine runtime, not ignition switch on, any idea on how to do it? thanks!!!

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

Why would you ever have the ignition switch on and not the engine?

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

what

[@sandeepnishad9610]

Connect positive wire to output of alternator When alternator rotate on then it will count

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

@@sandeepnishad9610 this is terrible advice, don’t do this. Where do you think the output of the alternator connects? The battery, meaning the hour meter will run all of the time…

[@LukesMovies]

Would this work on a motorized bicycle engine?

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

If there’s 12v power available then likely yes. Does it have a generator for lights or anything?

[@manuelsalgado8510]

What’s that part number?

[@commandernoodles2367]

Did you not connect it to the ignition switch???

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

Did you watch the video at all?

[@jawadaligamming8737]

How many price of it in pakistan

[@tuckerbuzzell1882]

How would I do this on a diesel

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

It would be any different, find a switched 12V source.

[@tuckerbuzzell1882]

@@outdoorpowerhouse it's a pull start

[@outdoorpowerhouse]

That would’ve been useful to mention before. In that case, look into something like a Tiny-tach. I believe they make a diesel specific version, but it is pricey.

[@tuckerbuzzell1882]

@@outdoorpowerhouse ok thanks