Dumb Question: Replacing Battery on 2000 JD Gator 6x4

[JDL130]

Just got a 2000 6x4 gas Gator. Battery looks and acts a bit suspect so I am going to replace it. It looks like the battery can come out easily through the back of the engine compartment without lifting the bed, but the battery strap appears to connect on the under-bed side and not the rear frame side.

Do I need to have the bed up to replace the battery, or not?