4115 Owners Beware

[dj1701]

This is just a warning for 4115 owners, or owners of 4010, 4110 machines with hydro. Check your hydro cooler just in front of your Radiator, but behind your battery. I was looking at mine tonight and found that the cooler coils were getting very corroded from battery acid. If left unchecked this could be a problem. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[jimg]

Odd you should mention this. A friend of mine who owns a 4310 (I think thats the model) had this same problem. He didnt catch it in time and wound up replacing the cooler which he said was a huge job. I think the threads on the fitting to the cooler were stripped out (or mostly so) at the factory. He recut them w/ a Dremel tool!!

So is the root cause a bad battery?

 

[stuart]

The 4000 Series had problems with Battery Acid leaking and damaging the battery tray and surounding areas. Keep a close eye and demand a new battery from JD if you have any problems. Apparently there was a problem with the battery venting and I am guessing that the 4000 Ten series must be having a similar problem. There are threads on the subject.

 

[bigpete]

I've been keeping a close eye on my 4110's (38 hours, delivered in February) battery since reading about a couple of people who proactively upgraded. The battery of choice at this point appears to be the Optima battery (Yellow top, 51R). The Optima the red top (automotive service) would be ideal if they made it in the 51 spec. The yellow top, which is intended more as a deep-cycle battery, works just fine according to a couple of other who have switched out. I think the bigger 4X10 tractors can be fit with a red top Optima of the correct spec. The only problem I can see is that the Optima runs about $130 for the 51R for the 4010/4110/4115. Here's the link. Optima Batteries . I may pick one up next time my wallet feels a little more flush.

Just passing along a tip from Ducati... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ducati996]

Thanks BigPete !!

I'm glad I just dealt with the issue right away. The group 51R is the size needed for most of these machines in the 4050-4115 range (including 4100)...the Red Tops are just a little too big- you can probably make it fit with some modifications, but I didnt want to tackle it....pricing could be better, so shop around to see who will give a better price. I just grabbed it because none around me had it at the time...
A piece of mind is very hard to place a dollar figure on /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Duc

 

[thebigc]

Hi. I joined TBN a few days ago and have been browsing all the JD stuff until I read this thread. Then I had to go out to the garage and check those cooler lines on my 4100!! They're fine. But I'd been wondering if one of those Optima units would fit in my 4100 since I read about them in a Summit Racing catalog. The corrosion is so bad that I had to cut off the old positive terminal clamp and crimp on a new one and here's my caution: There's only enough slack in the original cable to do this once. And a new one was about 120.00 last time I priced one so the initial expense of an Optima battery is well justified to me.

Donny

 

[755inNY]

<font color="blue"> And a new one was about 120.00 last time I priced one </font>

Donny,

Nothing special about the battery cable. You should be able to have one made at NAPA for significantly less than $120 (I'm assuming that was a JD price). Most NAPA's (or many other auto parts stores) have the swaging tools to crimp on the cable ends instead of using the replacement types that use screw/clamp set-up. You can also buy pre-made cables in various lengths. Just buy one a little longer than needed.

Jeff

 

[thebigc]

Jeff,
Yes, that was a JD price. Couldn't find anything off the shelf but any decent auto parts store could put one together, couldn't they? It's just a lousy experience. I'd clean up and lube the terminals and clamps so nice and two weeks later they were crumbly again! I'm gonna try that Optima yellow top, get some new cables made up and hopefully that should do it.

Donny

 

[755inNY]

Donny,

Yes, some of the larger auto parts stores have the capability. Spend the extra money on a high quality cable (including the right size) and high quality swaged or crimped on terminal ends. It will save you the hassle of engine starting problems latter. Some full service boat shops also sell high quality, pre-made cables.

I'm in the process of buying a new 4310. Based on what I've read in various posts, I will be swapping out the battery right away. The diesel engine transmits a lot of vibration into the battery. Some batteries just don't hold up very well.

Good luck,

Jeff

 

[Koby]

I've been watching my battery for over 6 months now, and finally decided to order the Optima. Got it from Remybattery for $95 plus shipp. The factory battery in my 4110 is a 51, NOT a 51R. Either would probably work, but I got the 51. Should be here within a week, I can't wait!!