L3400 won't start - what might be wrong?

[aarobyn]

Results so far:

Posts - dusty, but no corrosion
Clamps - same as the posts

I attached the battery to a fully charged portable charger / jump-starter (no way to get my car back where the tractor is at). I tried to jump the battery - no change in results.

Battery voltage post-charger/jumper attempt was a full 12.55V at the posts and the clamps. After a couple starting attempts (no jumper involved), the battery dropped below 12.3V.

Battery voltage while attempting to start the tractor w/o the jumper started at 2.5V and quickly dropped below 2V. That's got to be a problem based on the advice saying it should stay at ~10-11V at this point.

Action Item: Replace the battery

Conclusion: It doesn't matter if it's a Kubota, Honda, or Kia. OEM batteries from Asian manufacturers are crap (I've had them all fail on me much earlier than expected).

Question for the guy who said disconnect the battery when not using it: How long of a non-use period are you talking about? I typically use the tractor every 1-3 weeks in the summer and 2-4 weeks in the winter. Most usage periods are 45min-2hrs in length.

 

[k0ua]

Results so far:

Posts - dusty, but no corrosion
Clamps - same as the posts

I attached the battery to a fully charged portable charger / jump-starter (no way to get my car back where the tractor is at). I tried to jump the battery - no change in results.

Battery voltage post-charger/jumper attempt was a full 12.55V at the posts and the clamps. After a couple starting attempts (no jumper involved), the battery dropped below 12.3V.

Battery voltage while attempting to start the tractor w/o the jumper started at 2.5V and quickly dropped below 2V. That's got to be a problem based on the advice saying it should stay at ~10-11V at this point.

Action Item: Replace the battery

Conclusion: It doesn't matter if it's a Kubota, Honda, or Kia. OEM batteries from Asian manufacturers are crap (I've had them all fail on me much earlier than expected).

Question for the guy who said disconnect the battery when not using it: How long of a non-use period are you talking about? I typically use the tractor every 1-3 weeks in the summer and 2-4 weeks in the winter. Most usage periods are 45min-2hrs in length.

Ok looks like you have found your problem. bad battery, it's what everyone expected, including me. Now as for the OEM Kubota battery. Well mine in my old B7500 was original and 8 years old and still starting fine when I traded it off last june. that said I have seen batterys last 10 years, and I have seen batterys last 2 years. I just think you get a bad one now and then. My B7500 often sat over a month without starting in the winter, never a problem. A small solar charger in a window and hooked to your battery should alleviate any fears if you have a lot of periods of inactivity. I do have one on my lawn tractor for over the winter period, as I dont use it at all in the winter. They are about $25. Good luck going forward, and glad you have it diagnosed.

James K0UA

 

[leonz]

I am certainly glad you found the problem,


If you were going to leave the tractor unattended

for weeks at a time it would be easier to disconnect

the hot side of the battery or cheat and buy a knife

gate kill switch which would disconnect the hot side cable

from the battery and avoid battery drain.


Just be sure to have your jump pack with you as a

matter of maintaining a fits all tool kit.

 

[aarobyn]

New battery did the trick.

I got thrown initially by the battery reading 12V and the lights not working at all. Usually in a car I can still get some (dim) lights going even when the battery isn't strong enough to start the car.

Sidenote - the battery case was bulged out slightly, but it was so light on fluid that it sloshed around while I as carrying it. I'm starting to suspect that the splash of cold weather we had last winter (down to -28F) may have had an impact on it (thankfully I happened to be on vacation in Florida that week).

Anyway, thanks to all of you for chiming in and steering me back to the battery as the problem!

 

[dilligaf241]

Please pick up a battery tender from auto zone or someplace. Well worth the money and will double or triple the life of batteries. They are not trickle chargers. They will allow the battery to discharge and then recharge and they say that they also send a unique pulsing of electricity to help prevent them from forming corrosion inside the batter that causes dead cells. I started using them because of a couple of vehicles that sat for long periods of time and having to replace the batteries way too often. Haven't replaced one since. About $40 but are well worth it. I now have 4 of them.