Motorcycle battery in MTD tractor

[Hokiefyd]

My current OPE project is a Lowe's brand MTD tractor with a 14 hp Briggs single. I got the engine running last night (gummed up carburetor) and it runs REALLY smooth. Compared with the 17 hp Tecumseh single on the last tractor I had, this Briggs is a dream. Anyway, I have it running off a yellow top Optima with jumper cables. The battery that fits is a small motorcycle/power sports battery.

The battery tray under the seat is JUST barely big enough for this narrow battery, and a lawn and garden battery is wider. So it appears that I have no option other than going back with a power sports battery, but does anyone have any other ideas? The power sports batteries are much more expensive (than the L&G batteries) and this project is a flip, so cost outlay must be minimized.

Thanks for any ideas you might have.

 

[Realtech214]

ive sold many mowers and such without a battery. just crunk it up for them to show it runs nice and smoothe

 

[JHZR2]

How is the battery held down? My parents Ariens just has a rubber strap. These batteries arm that huge nor do they always get jostled around that badly. If that aligns to you, why not make a slightly different bracket to hold the cheaper battery, and strap it in. If there is a size issue in terms of volume, you might be stuck.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Realtech214
ive sold many mowers and such without a battery. just crunk it up for them to show it runs nice and smoothe


If the tractor is worth $200 without a battery (some hassle and risk to the buyer), but worth $300 with a good battery and they can run it and drive it, I'm money ahead with a new battery. I just hate spending that much on a motorcycle battery for a lawn tractor.

To make room for a larger one, I'd have to cut into the sheetmetal. I think I'll just have to take the old battery in to the local Batteries Plus store and find the least expensive physical match. There is no battery retention...it just sits in a tray that's as deep as the battery itself (so it's not going anywhere).

I do think it will be worth it to replace the battery...it should be easier to sell and I think I'll get the cash back out of it.

 

[Donald]

Leave it to MTD.

 

[The_Jeff]

Get a battery from advance with a coupon code. Their motorcycle batteries start at around $28 too. Find a size chart ahead of time or go in and play with them and take down the model number.

Used to bug me spending $70 on a battery for my Virago motorcycle that was 1/5 the size of a car battery and lasted only two years besides.

 

[loyd]

I would go to the MTD site and find out the battery type and number and find one on the net. That's what I did for my 20HP Bolens, it's a gelcell and it works great!