I never seem to get more than 2 seasons out of my batteries. I keep the water up and check charging voltage. Would appreciate suggestions as to good lawn mower battery.
Lawn tractor battery
- Thread starter Eddie
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On my 18HP rider I use Walmart versions, 3 or so years ago for $18. I keep
a Battery Tender on it when not in frequent use. Like yours tho, right now, if
I forget the Tender, it doesn't have enuf juice to start. Gonna try to stretch
it out till next year.
a Battery Tender on it when not in frequent use. Like yours tho, right now, if
I forget the Tender, it doesn't have enuf juice to start. Gonna try to stretch
it out till next year.
I get many years of service life from Diehard Lawn tractor batteries and without any special upkeep, they sit all winter sometimes.
Fully sealed so no need to add water.
Of course things may be different in Florida with the heat and all.
Fully sealed so no need to add water.
Of course things may be different in Florida with the heat and all.
Get a ProLogix charger/maintainer (http://www.cloreautomotive.com/sku.php?id=502)
Every 4-6 months, leave the battery on the Prologix for 5-10 days so it can run through its whole bulk/trickle/float/equalize/discharge cycle. Top the battery off with distilled water annually.
Batteries last a LONG time given that treatment. I just replaced a L&G tractor battery that was probably 6-7 years old, and I only started giving it the Prologix treatment after I'd pretty much decided it was dead for good (I had to jumpstart the tractor every time). Got another two years out of an already-damaged battery.
Every 4-6 months, leave the battery on the Prologix for 5-10 days so it can run through its whole bulk/trickle/float/equalize/discharge cycle. Top the battery off with distilled water annually.
Batteries last a LONG time given that treatment. I just replaced a L&G tractor battery that was probably 6-7 years old, and I only started giving it the Prologix treatment after I'd pretty much decided it was dead for good (I had to jumpstart the tractor every time). Got another two years out of an already-damaged battery.
I used to get only about 2 years max out of them too. Then I started using a trickle charger on them. When putting the tractor qaway for the winter, I hook up the charger and leave it plugged in 24/7 until I take the tractor out in the spring. Now I get 4-5 years out of the battery.
Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
I have the same experience. I've reached a point that I don't even replace them any more -- just use a jump starter to start it.
What a great idea, why did I not think of that?
I have the same experience. I've reached a point that I don't even replace them any more -- just use a jump starter to start it.
What a great idea, why did I not think of that?
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Like said above, I too keep a $5 Harbor Freight Tools trickle charger on my riding mower battery all winter. The battery is 6yrs old and going strong.
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The battery in my John Deere garden tractor is an 8 year old interstate from home depot. I've never charged it and the water levels are still good. The tractor does get year round use with a snowblower and mower though, so it never really sits. I had to jump it once this winter, but it has been fine since. I will probably need a new battery next winter, but after 8 years it owes me nothing.
I think I will check the charging voltage on my JD. If the charging voltage is good, one shouldn't need to put a charger on it between 2-4 week mowing's, if the battery is any good IMO. Ed
Maybe it's a regional thing, but all the lawn tractor & car batteries I've seen for sale are all sealed. It's been decades since I've seen a battery that needed water added. My JD tractor gets parked in an unheated garage and I generally try to put it on the trickle charger for 24 hours three or four times during the winter. If I forget, I'll probably need to charge it when the mowing season begins. It's 3 years old now and so far no problems.
4WD
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My Sears Diehard is 5 yoa - just clean connectors once a year when I do oil/filter/blades/grease
I think the longest I've had a lawnmower battery last was 6 years, and honestly only 4 of those years were trouble free. The last two if I didn't keep the battery tender on it, it would be dead in a couple days. When I sold it before I moved it had a bout 6 good cranks in it. If it didn't start by then, you were jumping it. My current mower just needed a battery the other day. It was only 2 years old, but the mower was infrequently used since it had a messed up carb. We'll see how the cheapie battery from Advance last; it will stay on the tender during the winter.
The bottom line IMO is that lawn tractor batteries are a marginal product at best.
The warranties on them are not great, regardless of price point.
After having $46.00 JD labeled batteries last one year and TSC or WalMart cheapos go as long as seven, I have come to the conclusion that the cheapest available is the best option.
I am currently running a Rural King (Exide) in my JD presently that I bought in 2013. I made the selection because it was on sale for $16.99 and I was headed there the day that I needed one. Still cranks strong.
When this battery goes, rinse and repeat.
The warranties on them are not great, regardless of price point.
After having $46.00 JD labeled batteries last one year and TSC or WalMart cheapos go as long as seven, I have come to the conclusion that the cheapest available is the best option.
I am currently running a Rural King (Exide) in my JD presently that I bought in 2013. I made the selection because it was on sale for $16.99 and I was headed there the day that I needed one. Still cranks strong.
When this battery goes, rinse and repeat.
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