Cub Cadet XT1 XT2 Battery "Upgrade"

[Learn Ya]

Out with the new...

...and in with the old.

Yes, you read that correctly. My $90 "new style" battery lasted one full season. However, the $35 "old school" Wally World batteries last 3-4 seasons based on my personal experience. I always store my OPE batteries indoors during the winter, so climate conditions were not the issue. The conversion is simple...just buy the old school mounting brackets, which are readily available.

 

[Rand]

I thought this was going to be a pic of a full size car battery

This was the one in my deere 212.

 

[Learn Ya]

full size car battery

Please, don't give me any more ideas, or I'll be tempted to start cutting and welding on my brand new mower.

 

[Nukeman7]

Coincidentally, I watched this Chickanic video yesterday which shows the AGM to FLA battery retrofit procedure starting at 15min, 30 secs.

 

[4wd]

Coincidentally, I watched this Chickanic video yesterday which shows the AGM to FLA battery retrofit procedure starting at 15min, 30 secs.

My Cub has a tiny battery pocket for AGM - no biggy

 

[fantastic]

210 CCA is plenty for that machine. If you didn't keep this battery on a constant trickle charger none of them last a season. Honestly, the OEM battery is still a longer lasting battery than the Maintenance batteries at WM. A "Maintenance Free" battery will last longer, if maintained, so this isn't quite the "upgrade" IMO. Obviously, any working battery is better than a dead one. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Learn Ya]

any working battery is better than a dead one. Thanks for sharing.

Indeed. A $35 battery replacement is better than a $90 battery replacement. I am always happy to share my cost-saving tips.

 

[4wd]

Indeed. A $35 battery replacement is better than a $90 battery replacement. I am always happy to share my cost-saving tips.

Agree - now I have two so when my knuckle heads leave the key on

 

[Learn Ya]

Agree - now I have two so when my knuckle heads leave the key on

Groovy. Send me a PM next spring. Let me know if your $70 investment is still paying off.

 

[4wd]

Groovy. Send me a PM next spring. Let me know if your $70 investment is still paying off.

I didn’t buy two - just added this one and still have an Everstart Platinum that was $80 a couple years ago …
I never got stellar life from the bigger cheap ones either
Maybe this no name is good enough - we’ll see …

 

[4wd]

210 CCA is plenty for that machine. If you didn't keep this battery on a constant trickle charger none of them last a season. Honestly, the OEM battery is still a longer lasting battery than the Maintenance batteries at WM. A "Maintenance Free" battery will last longer, if maintained, so this isn't quite the "upgrade" IMO. Obviously, any working battery is better than a dead one. Thanks for sharing.

The only thing clumsy on those batteries is that floating nut. When the battery is new - snug up the screws and push a bit of silicone caulk under the nut … I’m sure some of mine are hiding next to lost 10mm sockets

 

[repairman54]

2019 WM U1 battery in my old lawn tractor that only plows snow and tows a yard cart still going strong. Sub zero winters also. Always on a Battery Minder when parked via quick connector. BM has paid for itself a few times over now. I hate buying batteries or the hassle of no crank when duty calls.

 

[kballowe]

Out with the new...


View attachment 339307


...and in with the old.


View attachment 339308


Yes, you read that correctly. My $90 "new style" battery lasted one full season. However, the $35 "old school" Wally World batteries last 3-4 seasons based on my personal experience. I always store my OPE batteries indoors during the winter, so climate conditions were not the issue. The conversion is simple...just buy the old school mounting brackets, which are readily available.

We did the same thing on the Daughter's mower.
What was Cub Cadet thinking ?

 

[4wd]

2019 WM U1 battery in my old lawn tractor that only plows snow and tows a yard cart still going strong. Sub zero winters also. Always on a Battery Minder when parked via quick connector. BM has paid for itself a few times over now. I hate buying batteries or the hassle of no crank when duty calls.

At least we have jump packs these days …
Started using a solar trickle charger … we will see.

 

[4wd]

NLP20 NOCO anyone?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3977762301...N4J1GSG1f2vbgjDtreLb7Tjcd3|tkp:Bk9SR9ilsMTMZw

 

[meep]

The sealed batteries from ariens are great. Idk if it’s a gel or AGM, but they run about $70 and i got 6-7 years with the first one, 2 years with something not much cheaper from Walmart, and am in year 4 with another ariens battery. This year ariens battery #2 has needed me to bump the key a second time once or twice, so it’s spent 2 weeks recently on the ctech. The ctech doesn’t really advertise how it maintains but it sounds like it’s sending a pulsed signal, gentle desulfation. I don’t expect any miracles but if I can get 6 years out of this battery that will be great.

 

[jeepman3071]

I thought this was going to be a pic of a full size car battery

This was the one in my deere 212.
View attachment 339326

I'd love to find a 212 or 214 Deere to add to my fleet. Have always wanted one of those since I was a kid, especially with the 46" deck.

As far as batteries, I usually try to buy the largest battery (size and CCA) that will fit, and they seem to perform and last the longest in mowers. I upgraded the battery cables in my Deere 345 and it cranks very quickly now.

 

[meep]

I'd love to find a 212 or 214 Deere to add to my fleet. Have always wanted one of those since I was a kid, especially with the 46" deck.

As far as batteries, I usually try to buy the largest battery (size and CCA) that will fit, and they seem to perform and last the longest in mowers. I upgraded the battery cables in my Deere 345 and it cranks very quickly now.

Good call on battery cable health. I may need to look at that.

 

[Silverado12]

Battery Brackets For MTD Tractors You could get these brackets on Amazon to convert your battery over to the big one once your new style AGM wears out.

 

[Learn Ya]

What was Cub Cadet thinking ?

I had the same thought. Cub Cadet (like most manufacturers) was only thinking about cost savings. They install cheap parts to keep the selling price attractive...and hope the customers just buy a new unit when simple parts start failing after a few years. Not me! I love to repair and upgrade. They hate me! LOL. My old 2013 Ariens big box special is still running strong. I run it periodically, which will prolong the life of my new Cub.