Why No Round Posts Batteries for Lawn Tractors

[Missouri Lad]

My JD 345 battery just went south after 5 years of use. It has the "round posts" for the original cables that was installed by John Deere. All the batteries that are available today have the so-called "flag" posts. I could just go back to the dealer and pay another $120.00 for one with the round posts, or buy new cables with the ends for the flag posts. I don't need replacing the cables as they seem to be in good condition. So, I'm buying two adapters called "Flag to Round post" which can be bolted to the battery with the flap posts and still use the cables with the ends that are for round posts. Costs: about $10.00 for the two. Sears Die Hard battery...Model 50785.. costs $48.14 will fit...Size: 8.1/4" length, 5.1/4" width, 7.1/4" height will work and just about the same size as the John Deere brand.

Has anyone with a better idea?

 

[RickB]

Cut the old post clamps off and crimp on a couple copper eyelets with 1/4" holes. Complete new cables would not be the worst thing you could do.

$120 for an L&G battery is nuts, posts or not.

 

[SPYDERLK]

... It is to make it more difficult to use a better and cheaper car batt. For OP -- Use a car battery that fits.

 

[Missouri Lad]

I got this connector from O'Reilly's for $9.75 I will try these to see it's worth having. Otherwise, I will follow RickB idea.


Quick Cable: Conversion Adapters Specialty Terminal with Pole to Top Post

 

[PILOON]

I have simply clamped the round connector onto the 'flag post' and it works OK.
Sure there is less contact but the starters that are generally connected to 'flag posts' do not draw enough current to make a difference, plenty of contact area for amperage needed.

 

[Gary Fowler]

If you plan to keep that lawn tractor for a while, I would change out the ends on the battery cables. No use in making 2 corrosion points with that adapter instead of just one with eyelet connections. Use good solid copper eyelets when you crimp them on.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

You can mickey-mouse it or you can get some new cables made with the correct terminals for the flag posts.

Custom Battery Cable Assembly Custom Made

Pick your gauge, pick your length, pick your connectors, add the heat shrink to each end. Done.

I just finished another project with their cables. Excellent quality from these folks, and not expensive. I get the clear heat shrink so I can see if any corrosion gets started in there. You can get black or red or other colors, too.

 

[jenkinsph]

You can mickey-mouse it or you can get some new cables made with the correct terminals for the flag posts.

Custom Battery Cable Assembly Custom Made

Pick your gauge, pick your length, pick your connectors, add the heat shrink to each end. Done.

I just finished another project with their cables. Excellent quality from these folks, and not expensive. I get the clear heat shrink so I can see if any corrosion gets started in there. You can get black or red or other colors, too.

I have had good luck with this company too. I buy my terminals for various tractor and marine projects as well as other top quality parts. Their tinned copper wire is very good and is what I use when custom building my wiring harnesses.

 

[Richard001]

You can mickey-mouse it or you can get some new cables made with the correct terminals for the flag posts.

Custom Battery Cable Assembly Custom Made

Pick your gauge, pick your length, pick your connectors, add the heat shrink to each end. Done.

I just finished another project with their cables. Excellent quality from these folks, and not expensive. I get the clear heat shrink so I can see if any corrosion gets started in there. You can get black or red or other colors, too.

Mark,

It maybe true that new, custom cables may be the top notch answer to the OP question, but I'm guessing that determining the length and fitting new cables into that old wire harness will be a real chore.

And as to the solution of just cutting off the old terminals and installing new terminal to match the new battery style, is not as easy as it sounds. In order to make a crimp that will last and handle the current needed for a starter, you will need the proper crimping tool. I haven't priced crimping tools lately, but I would guess that it would cost as much as the new battery he wants to install.

The battery post adapter that some else suggested looks like the simplest and easiest solution to implement.

Richard

 

[Midniteoyl]

My JD 345 battery just went south after 5 years of use. It has the "round posts" for the original cables that was installed by John Deere. All the batteries that are available today have the so-called "flag" posts. I could just go back to the dealer and pay another $120.00 for one with the round posts, or buy new cables with the ends for the flag posts. I don't need replacing the cables as they seem to be in good condition. So, I'm buying two adapters called "Flag to Round post" which can be bolted to the battery with the flap posts and still use the cables with the ends that are for round posts. Costs: about $10.00 for the two. Sears Die Hard battery...Model 50785.. costs $48.14 will fit...Size: 8.1/4" length, 5.1/4" width, 7.1/4" height will work and just about the same size as the John Deere brand.

Has anyone with a better idea?

Nope.. Those adapters are exactly what I use for my old Simplicity. Work just fine.

 

[Egon]

Any chance the garden tractor battery has a different service rating than a standard car battery.

A piece of copper tubing and soder can make a variety of different adapters. No crimping required.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Any chance the garden tractor battery has a different service rating than a standard car battery.

A piece of copper tubing and soder can make a variety of different adapters. No crimping required.

Surely. ... And no doubt inferior to a mid line or better car batt. The best bet is to find a car batt that fits. Economy of scale; better quality control, a warranty, greater electrical capacity, ... and no fooling with adding adapters/more connections in a high current circuit.

 

[Missouri Lad]

If anyone here thinks that a car battery will fit in a lawn tractor, think some more. The space I have is only 8-1/2" length x 6" width x 8' height. That is the limits for a battery. I don't know of any automobile battery that small size, and available, The Die Hard LG-3 is 8.25" Length x 5.25" width x 7.25" height. and that is tight space to be installed. There may be larger lawn/garden tractors that have a larger space, but, I don't know of any.

BTW. I installed the Die Hard and made the flag to round post connectors and attached the cables and all went well. And thanks to all for their input here.

 

[fidowanttobe]

BTW. I installed the Die Hard and made the flag to round post connectors and attached the cables and all went well. And thanks to all for their input here.[/QUOTE]
Apply a good corrosion preventer and you'll be fine.

 

[PILOON]

Depends on the lawn tractor.
I have a Bolens that takes the same battery as my 4 x 4 GMC diesel did!
Shucks enough battery that I could drive it home without gas in the tank, LOL. (if the starter would last out)

 

[RickB]

Depends on the lawn tractor.

All the pertinent info was in the OP. Just gotta read (and comprehend) it. Maybe you & Larry can figure out what car or truck battery will fit the posted space.

 

[SPYDERLK]

My JD 345 battery just went south after 5 years of use. It has the "round posts" for the original cables that was installed by John Deere. All the batteries that are available today have the so-called "flag" posts. I could just go back to the dealer and pay another $120.00 for one with the round posts, or buy new cables with the ends for the flag posts. I don't need replacing the cables as they seem to be in good condition. So, I'm buying two adapters called "Flag to Round post" which can be bolted to the battery with the flap posts and still use the cables with the ends that are for round posts. Costs: about $10.00 for the two. Sears Die Hard battery...Model 50785.. costs $48.14 will fit...Size: 8.1/4" length, 5.1/4" width, 7.1/4" height will work and just about the same size as the John Deere brand.

Has anyone with a better idea?

If anyone here thinks that a car battery will fit in a lawn tractor, think some more. The space I have is only 8-1/2" length x 6" width x 8' height. That is the limits for a battery. I don't know of any automobile battery that small size, and available, The Die Hard LG-3 is 8.25" Length x 5.25" width x 7.25" height. and that is tight space to be installed. There may be larger lawn/garden tractors that have a larger space, but, I don't know of any.

BTW. I installed the Die Hard and made the flag to round post connectors and attached the cables and all went well. And thanks to all for their input here.

All the pertinent info was in the OP. Just gotta read (and comprehend) it. Maybe you & Larry can figure out what car or truck battery will fit the posted space.

No, the pertinent info was in a later post. ... And you never really know w/o seeing it if there is wiggle room and where.

BatteryWeb, Inc. - BCI Group Numbers, Dimensional Specifications, Polarity and Terminals

....Could be Group 52 will work. :confused3:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

... It is to make it more difficult to use a better and cheaper car batt. For OP -- Use a car battery that fits.

Exactly!

I change the ends out, (and if needed, the batt box) buy a new batt for my car and put the old car batt in my lawn mower!! It's called win win!!

SR

 

[Missouri Lad]

When I refer to auto batteries as not adapting to lawn/garden tractors, it's because of the size. I refer to car batteries as "large' to handle all the electronics and devices on these vehicles. My Chev. Tahoe has a 79 series battery, my Buick Lacrosse has a 92 series. Those old 6 volts batteries were not small, as the early 12 volts for cars. I can see where some foreign cars may have used a small battery, but now to many Americans cars or trucks. The space on my JD 345 wasn't design for a car battery, and there wouldn't be a case to have one (larger one) due to the amount of amps they require.

 

[kthompson]

I am not a battery expert but those lawn mower batteries regardless of the brand I have bought are with long life about two years. Not sure they even put any warranty on those batteries. I have never looked a true "auto" battery but my lawn mowers and gator have room for larger batteries so thanks for the suggestion to consider a true car battery.

As to connecting the round clamp could you not remove the bolt from the clamp, may need to open it up a little, slip the clamp over the flag terminal and run the bolt or longer bolt if need be through the round clamp and tighten it?