Information on battery "issue"

glagen · Apr 8, 2005

Information on battery \"issue\"

I have a relatively new 4310 and have been following all the battery threads with great interest. Here is some info I can share.
JD issued DTAC solution #51538 on July 17, 2002 regarding leaking acid on the following models and PINs: 4200C (120001-426438), 4200H (120001-421849), 4300C (130001-435498), 4300H (130001-H432528), 4400S (140001-S446531), 4400H (140001-H44185), 4300S (# not provided). The solution is to replace the manifold type battery with a TY25258 battery having 6 screw in vent caps which condenses the escaping electrolyte and drains it drain back into the battery.

On December 17, 2002 JD issued DTAC solution #57831 affecting 4200 and 4300 CUTs as follows: LV4200H120022 - LV4200H120023, LV4300H130001 - LV4300H331533. This DTAC addressed the identical problem with acid and gas leakage from a manifold type battery. The replacement battery is the 6-cap screw in type #LVA11726 which again condenses the electrolyte in the vent cap and drains it back into the battery.

I have contacted 3 area JD dealerships and spoken directly to the Service Manager at all three (one of whom is a close acquaintance whose wife used to work for me). All three emphatically stated that they have not seen any newer models coming in with any battery damage since the introduction of the new batteries.

I have battery # LVA11726 in my 4310 and do not see any signs of damage whatsoever, although I only have about 25 hours on the unit.

I don't want to needlessly spend money on an Optima.
If folks have newer 4200 and 4300 machines that came with the LVA11726 and are still experiencing problems, please post pictures of the battery leakage. I am also informed that the new battery should not be overfilled with electrolye and that the vent caps must be tight or leakage can still occur.
Steve Z

DJLX · Apr 8, 2005

Re: Information on battery \"issue\"

Can you or have you found anything on the 2210 battery. Mine had wetness around the vent caps which I have wipped with a rag but I believe it is starting to leak again.

glagen · Apr 8, 2005

Re: Information on battery \"issue\"

DJLX,
I don't have any info on 2210. You might want to ask the dealer if JD has issued anything on this model. BTW do you have 6 screw caps on the battery? What is the stock # printed on it? Most important -- Are the caps tight?
Steve Z

Jim_Fisher · Apr 8, 2005

Re: Information on battery \"issue\"

Steve,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( On December 17, 2002 JD issued DTAC solution #57831 affecting 4200 and 4300 CUTs as follows: LV4200H120022 - LV4200H120023, LV4300H130001 - LV4300H331533. This DTAC addressed the identical problem with acid and gas leakage from a manifold type battery. The replacement battery is the 6-cap screw in type #LVA11726 which again condenses the electrolyte in the vent cap and drains it back into the battery. )</font>

I have a 2000 4300 which had the battery and hydraulic oil cooler replaced under warranty in October of 2002. The replacement battery is the LVA11726.

I just performed the 1200 hour service on the tractor. To date, there has been no evidence of corrosion and I have yet to add water to any of the cells. When you take a cap off to check the electrolyte level, there is ordinarily a drop of electrolyte clinging to the bottom of the cap.

glagen · Apr 8, 2005

Re: Information on battery \"issue\"

Jim,
That's good news with regard to the replacement battery. Based on your use since the installaion of the replacement battery, it would appear that JD has resolved the problem. Therfore new machine owners having that battery already installed from the factory should not experience the corrosion problem. Let's see what other folks have to say though.
Steve Z

rockyridgefarm · Apr 8, 2005

Re: Information on battery \"issue\"

I had the new style battery and had some spew. But I may have overfilled the electrolyte. I have terrible vision, so in the end the Optima works out well for me....

james322 · Apr 9, 2005

Re: Information on battery \"issue\"

i have a john deere 790 with 50 hours i bought new in late march 2004 with yellow top screw in caps that has been in the shop for corrosion since march 30th 05 was to pick it up today with a new battery and repaired sheet metal but it was a terrible repair job so i left it till monday so i can speek to the owner of the company i would like to replace the corroded metal and clean up all the overspray and replace all the black foam that was painted green it should have been dissasembled in front of the radiator and repaired.there has got to be problems in between the the panels the needs repaired.

bud4410 · Apr 11, 2005

Re: Information on battery \"issue\"

hi, i have a 4410 with the lva11726 battery which was perfectly dry for the first 50 hours but i checked at 62 hours and acid laying on top of the battery and the left hold down and bolt is corroded. checked the cells and they are at the proper level not overfilled. rather than waiting for it to get worse the optima is ordered and should hopefully be installed in a week or so. hope this helps. i would rather bite the bullet now for the $100+ and cure the problem then take the tractor back for warrenty and still end up with the same 11726 battery and maybe have to go thru it all again in the future. regards, bud

txhawg · Apr 12, 2005

Re: Information on battery \"issue\"

Ok, why all the hype over Optima batteries? Is that the only battery available for our tractors? What makes it special over, say, a die hard or a gel battery?

glagen · Apr 12, 2005

Re: Information on battery \"issue\"

Bud,
Sorry to hear that you are one of the folks still experiencing problems even with the replacement battery. Did you bring this to the attention of the dealer or JD? Unless they hear from folks like yourself, they will continue to think the problem has been resolved with the LVA battery.
Steve Z