Battery

MoKelly · Oct 30, 2009

Hello to all:

I have a Bobcat CT235. I received in Sept. and have about 25 hours. It has been great so far. But -

A few days ago, the tractor wouldn't start ... sounded like a dead battery. I just got that horrible "clicking" noise and the engine didn't turn over. I jumped the tractor and it started right up. I mowed for about 3 hours and parked.

The next day the tractor wouldn't start again ... just clicked.

So, I called the dealer and they came out and checked everything over and concluded the battery was bad. They said the alternator is fine and all fuses are fine. They still charged $100 for a service call which I'm not particularly happy about.

Anyone else have an issue with their battery going bad so fast?

Thanks.

brin · Oct 30, 2009

MoKelly said:
Hello to all:

I have a Bobcat CT235. I received in Sept. and have about 25 hours. It has been great so far. But -

A few days ago, the tractor wouldn't start ... sounded like a dead battery. I just got that horrible "clicking" noise and the engine didn't turn over. I jumped the tractor and it started right up. I mowed for about 3 hours and parked.

The next day the tractor wouldn't start again ... just clicked.

So, I called the dealer and they came out and checked everything over and concluded the battery was bad. They said the alternator is fine and all fuses are fine. They still charged $100 for a service call which I'm not particularly happy about.

Anyone else have an issue with their battery going bad so fast?

Thanks.

Was that the dealer you bought the tractor from? Geez, if it was he should not charge for a service call. Seems to me he could have done some trouble shooting on the phone first before coming out to you and even if he did he should eat the cost since a battery should last longer than 25 hrs. unless it has been over a year since you bought the tractor. I would call the dealer and tell them you slept on it and do not feel good about the charge and see what they will do.l..That just does not seem right.

Avondale · Oct 30, 2009

IF your Bobcat is a Kioti, there have been numerous threads on this subject.

In my experience, the batt was never the problem but the battery post connections. I, eventually, replaced the batt and post connectors and have been trouble free ever since.

The battery posts/connector problem seemed to be associated with the glazing over between the two, almost a dull shine on the post. I think there was an issue with proper fit so bought a HD battery (larger than required but less than desired) and changed the clamps from Canadian Tire and have not had a problem in over 2 years.

Good luck.

Bob

MoKelly · Oct 30, 2009

Brin:

Yes, it was the dealer I bought the tractor. I just took delivery in September (1-1/2 months ago).

I think I'll stop by the dealer tomorrow (since its Sat.) and talk to the guys face-to-face. It doesn't seem right to me to pay $100.

They wanted to see the tractor and do the electrical tests themselves to be sure the battery went bad on its own vs. some electrical issues on the tractor that caused the problems.

Thanks for the feedback.

zman007007 · Oct 30, 2009

I think I would tell them, they need to talk to the battery people to get their service charge, even a cheap lawn mower battery is usually guaranteed longer than a month and a half. I would think if this was a new tractor. you didnt say or I overlooked it, the battery should have been new too ,and guaranteed. zman

Erik_in_Hoyt · Oct 30, 2009

you've owned it 6 weeks and they're charging for a service call and they didn't fix it?
I think that's a pile of BS.
OTOH - clean your terminals and put some electrolyte gel on them - I bet it fires right up.
I went through this on my Mahindra earlier this summer.

MoKelly · Nov 2, 2009

I stopped by the dealer on Saturday and spoke to the service manager.

They said they tested my old battery and it was bad .. wouldn't hold a charge. He agreed to refund the $100 service call but only after some conversation and complaining.

I will do what Erik suggests as well.

By the way, it was finally a nice day here on Sunday and I was able to use the tractor for about 4 hours mowing and moving around some rock. It is quite fun ... especially when the thing fires up with the key.

Thanks everyone.