Dead battery

[bradv42]

I have a battery issue and if I knew more about tractors this probably would be a simple fix. I have a B7610 with 60+ hours on it an no problems so far. I accidently left the lights on on day and the battery went dead. I was able to jump start it and it ran fine, but wouldn't start the next time. I have jumped it three times and worked the tractor for over an hour each time, but it will not start on it's own the next day. Also, it seems to be much harder to jump start the tractor compared to a typical car (takes longer).

Is it just a dead battery? Shouldn't it recharge after use? If it's just the battery can it be recharged somewhere or will a new one be needed?

Sorry if these are dumb questions.

From my experience, many good batteries are replaced over frustration and lack of knowlege. Battery recharge rates and times are a function of the temperature. The colder it is the longer it takes to recharge to a full state of charge. Depending on the type of battery and the temperature it may take considerably longer time to recharge your battery. As has been suggested I would check the voltage, the level of electrolyte, make sure your battery terminals are clean, bright and tight and do a trickle charge overnight. Start the tractor up as has been described and measure the voltage- with only 61 hours on your tractor it should still have a lot of life in it unless it has been damaged from being fully discharged. My thought is that you did not get enough run time and it was cold enough that your battery was not fully recharged.
B

 

[Griffey]

Okay, I appreciate all of your advice. I took it in to a local parts dealer who tested it for me and tried to charge it for me with no luck. I ended up getting a new battery and the tractor starts fine. Now I am just wondering if there was more that contributed to the problem. Do I need to worry about the alternator? Also I have a cab with a heater and wiper which run off the batter. Could that extra drag on the battery be enough to shorten the life? Am I worrying too much about something that was probably just as simple as it seems?

Either way it's nice to be back up and running. The snow has finally cleared and there are many projects to do.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[hdbikercouple]

just an fyi charge the battery with a charger till fully charged. running your tractor for a short time ,like an hour will not charge it. i deep cycled a couple of batteries doing dumb things. and yes that does shortern their life. the stores i see testing don't check for bad cells just volts.

 

[BobRip]

Okay, I appreciate all of your advice. I took it in to a local parts dealer who tested it for me and tried to charge it for me with no luck. I ended up getting a new battery and the tractor starts fine. Now I am just wondering if there was more that contributed to the problem. Do I need to worry about the alternator? Also I have a cab with a heater and wiper which run off the batter. Could that extra drag on the battery be enough to shorten the life? Am I worrying too much about something that was probably just as simple as it seems?

Either way it's nice to be back up and running. The snow has finally cleared and there are many projects to do.

Thanks for all the help.

You had a definite event (leaving the lights on for one day) which could damage the battery. The problem most likely was caused by this. I do think you should get a charger and charge the battery periodically. I keep a "BATTERYMINDer" full time on mine. Unless you use the tractor at least an hour each time and every couple of days this would probably be a good idea.

 

[Soundguy]

If his tractor has an alternator, and he is not running at max electrical load.. there is no reason why an hours worth of charge shouldn't top that battery off. Now.. if he is running at max electrical load.. then i agree.

Soundguy

just an fyi charge the battery with a charger till fully charged. running your tractor for a short time ,like an hour will not charge it. i deep cycled a couple of batteries doing dumb things. and yes that does shortern their life. the stores i see testing don't check for bad cells just volts.