Starting problem on L4740

jaymak · Aug 19, 2012

Need help so I can get my tractor back in the garage . . .
I was moving logs with pallet forks and cutting rounds with my chainsaw. I started and stopped the tractor several times to saw, move rounds, etc.
On the fifth or sixth time, the tractor would not start, and the intellipanel was acting flaky. It was making some clicking and buzzing noises.
So, I assumed the battery must have run down with the frequent starts, but no, it is measuring 12.5 volts. Still, I am charging the battery, and not having any luck. My charger is indicating the battery is 90% charged, but the symptoms remain. Flaky panel, flashing LCD, clicking/buzzing, and nothing when turning the key to start position.

Does anyone have a suggestion?

Thanks,
John

Kubota 2007 · Aug 19, 2012

First thing is to make sure the battery is good, Sounds like the battery is shorted out. A shorted out battery will show 12.5 voltage or even higher, but won't handle a load. "Remove it"and try a known good battery first.

crazyal · Aug 19, 2012

If you have a multimeter (I assume that's how you measured the battery voltage) I would have someone try starting the tractor while measuring to see how low the voltage drops when it's trying to turn the engine over. Just don't do it very often because low voltage is real hard on your starter.

jaymak · Aug 20, 2012

Thanks I'll give that a try tonight and will update. Thanks guys.

jaymak · Aug 20, 2012

I think you guys hit the nail on the head . . . the battery voltage drops from 13 to 6 when I turn the key to the run position (not even start). So, I'm betting a new battery will solve this problem . . . more to follow when I get a chance to pick one up. Hopefully the shock from moving logs around just knocked something loose inside he battery.

94BULLITT · Aug 20, 2012

You may want to consider a optima battery. They are shock resistant and they are sealed so they won't leak acid all over you tractor.

PoorPlowboy · Aug 21, 2012

Optima batteries made in the last two years are junk, since Johnson Controls bought them and did cost cutting resulting in enormous failure rates. Many others make AGM batteries with excellent reputations. Die Hard Platinum, East Penn Deka Intimidator, SuperStart Extreme AGM, etc.

gwdixon · Aug 21, 2012

Your charger must not have a "start" mode where 100 amps or so is fed to the starter.

Not sure if it would work with a shorted battery.

Maybe if you took the battery out of the circuit and just used the "start" on the charger (if you have it).

94BULLITT · Aug 21, 2012

PoorPlowboy said:
Optima batteries made in the last two years are junk, since Johnson Controls bought them and did cost cutting resulting in enormous failure rates. Many others make AGM batteries with excellent reputations. Die Hard Platinum, East Penn Deka Intimidator, SuperStart Extreme AGM, etc.

JCI has owned them for years. I think they even supply batteries to die hard. I know jci supplies the to walmart but some are exide too.

crazyal · Aug 21, 2012

I'm not sure what options are available given the limited space.

94BULLITT · Aug 21, 2012

Be sure whatever battery you get matches or exceeds the cca's (cold cranking amps) on the original battery.

jaymak · Aug 22, 2012

I got the battery out (not as easy as I expected . . . had to remove the whole front grill/headlamp assembly and then fight with the grill guard and loader in the way . . . fun). It's a Chinese or Korean made battery labeled "NX110-5MF" and "80D26R" with 55 amp hr, 133 reserve capacity and 582 CCA. I thought a diesel battery should be beefier than that. The Orange Tractor Talks guy says at least 850 CCA. Anyway, I am planning to try to buy a good battery that is the same physical size. It's not labeled for size (from what I can tell) but I believe it is a group 24 size. Anyone know for sure?

jaymak · Aug 22, 2012

hmmm actually I think it's probably a group "26R" based on that label. I will measure to make sure. This came in handy: BCI Battery Group Size Chart

Rockin' G Ranch · Aug 22, 2012

jaymak said:
I got the battery out (not as easy as I expected . . . had to remove the whole front grill/headlamp assembly and then fight with the grill guard and loader in the way . . . fun). It's a Chinese or Korean made battery labeled "NX110-5MF" and "80D26R" with 55 amp hr, 133 reserve capacity and 582 CCA. I thought a diesel battery should be beefier than that. The Orange Tractor Talks guy says at least 850 CCA. Anyway, I am planning to try to buy a good battery that is the same physical size. It's not labeled for size (from what I can tell) but I believe it is a group 24 size. Anyone know for sure?

Remember that the control panel must be reprogrammed after the battery is replaced.

94BULLITT · Aug 22, 2012

jaymak said:
hmmm actually I think it's probably a group "26R" based on that label. I will measure to make sure. This came in handy: BCI Battery Group Size Chart

Thats a handy chart. As long as you have at least the oem amount of cca you should be fine. If you live in a extremely cold climate you may want a battery blanket, I think most of the time it is recommended for 0* or less.

jaymak · Aug 22, 2012

Strangely enough, the installed battery measures 10 1/4 x 6 13/16 x 7 7/8", which is a group 34 size battery. This is good because it should be easy to find a battery that matches or exceeds the OEM specs in that size. Now I just need the time to go get one . . .

RFB · Aug 22, 2012

I use Odyssey batteries in all of my power equipment...ATVs, trucks, tractors, 45kw generator, etc

They are agm, and they possess very robust performance. They can deep cycle even though they are technically not deep cycle batteries.

This size looks like it might fit:

34-PC1500 http://www.odysseybattery.com/hdspecs.html

Kubota 2007 · Aug 23, 2012

I replaced the battery in my L4200 and L4740 with a 31T, it's a truck size battery, it just fits, have to replace the battery clamps with eyelets. The "T" stands for threaded. Great battery size, in the coldest weather the tractors heat glow plugs and have plenty left for cold starts.

jaymak · Aug 25, 2012

Hey folks, thanks for all the advice. My problem was solved by battery replacement. I got a size 24 Napa "Legend 75" battery for $90 and it fits perfect with the original clamp and threaded rods. It has much better specs than the original, I think 800 CCA. I did not need to reprogram anything, but please let me know if I missed anything. I know there are some codes for tire size etc. but the intellipanel was not indicating any problem.