Battery Life - 4600?

rmonio · Nov 20, 2005

Just curious (as I'm going to replace the battery in my 4600) - what is the average battery life in these machines? I've had to trickle charge the battery a couple of times within the last year and the frequency of recharges has increased. I'm thinking this is due to the fact that the battery is 5 years old and I have more lights on the tractor.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

-Bob

RRacing · Nov 20, 2005

In personally have never had a JD battery last more than 3 years.

Jim

rmonio · Nov 21, 2005

That's what I thought - and with our weather here in MN, the battery gets more of a workout than it would if I were living in a warmer climate all year.

Thanks for the feedback!

-Bob

BB_TX · Nov 21, 2005

I have a JD 950. In 2003, I replaced my battery with one from NAPA. It was an 18 month battery and lasted 30 months. Just replaced it again last Saturday, $79.95. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

gcrabb · Nov 21, 2005

Bob,

I agree, battery life seems to be about 5 years except on snowmobiles which is 2 or 3 years.

If you get more than 5 years in a northern climate you are doing very good.

JD4600 with 460FEL with grapple fork, pallet fork and 7'6" Western Snow Plow, JD LX279, Farmall C, 84" KK finishing mower, 84" KK Landscape Box, 84" KK Landscape Rake, 84" KK Blade, and 72" KK Bush Hog, 7' Northern Tool Backhoe, Bri Mar 6X10 Dump Trailer, 20' Rugged Road Equipment Trailer.

Greg

rmonio · Nov 30, 2005

I replaced the battery this weekend with a new JD battery - it cost me $68, but after 5 years I figure I got a pretty good deal. I did notice when pulling the old one out that there is quite a bit of gunk and stuff that gets behind them... looks as good as new there now after cleaning things up and also getting the fins on the radiator cleaned too. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

-Bob

tpost · Nov 30, 2005

Mine failed just about the same day the 2 year warranty on the tractor expired.

dsgsr · Nov 30, 2005

Check with your JD dealer, there may be a PIP (product improvement program) on your particular machine for a battery cable replacement. Apparently the cable chafes and causes excessive corrosion on the positive terminal. This MAY cause premature battery life. I have a 2000 4700 that was covered.

David

rmonio · Nov 30, 2005

The RED covered post does generate quite a bit of corrosion over time - but I also make a point of spraying it clean when I do my regular grease maintenance - that seems to take care of it. Otherwise my issue was just normal aging (and cold winters in MN).

-Bob