Did this happen on it's own, or has the switch been recently replaced?
Either way, easy to test with a volt meter.
Disconnect the small wire from the starter solenoid.
Put the volt meter on the + terminal of the coil to ground.
Turn the ignition switch to the on position, should get near battery voltage on the meter.
Slowly turn the switch to start position, watch the volt meter closely. The voltage should not vary. Try it several times, hold the switch in start position and move the key around, it should maintain a steady battery voltage reading.
If it drops, every time, and there has been electrical changes made, possibly the switch is wired wrong. If the reading is erratic, or no voltage to the coil in start position, the switch is bad.
That is a common problem, especially if the tractor stays outside. Be sure to use a tractor or marine switch, as automotive switches are not water and dirt resistant.
If that test passes, try an actual cranking voltage test. You will need an analog meter.
Pull the coil wire so the engine won't start. Take a voltage reading at the coil while cranking. It will be hard to get a steady reading, but the volts should stay above 8-9 volts. If it drops below that, load test the battery. If the battery tests good, could be a bad connection. Feel for hot connections, discolored, corroded, connections. Some of those grounded the battery to the sheet metal, a common bad connection. Feel for warm cables, if any battery cables have been replaced, be sure they are big enough gauge. Many times automotive cables are too small, more insulation than wire.
Finally check the condition of the starter. If the bushings are worn it will draw too many amps, nothing left to fire the coil.
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Today's Featured Article - A Lifetime of Farm Machinery - by Joe Michaels. I am a mechanical engineer by profession, specializing in powerplant work. I worked as a machinist and engine erector, with time spent overseas. I have always had a love for machinery, and an appreciation for farming and farm machinery. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Not a place one would associate with farms or farm machinery. I credit my parents for instilling a lot of good values, a respect for learning, a knowledge of various skills and a little knowledge of farming in me, amo
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