Tractor started normally and used it for 2 hours solid. Shut her down to move some vehicles, went to crank back up and nothing but clicks with some wild dash light show. I jumped it with the Yukon finished my mowing and backed it in the garage for some diagnostics. First, running we had 14 volts sweet alternator not shot. Shut it off and pulled the head lights on to pull off the erroneous voltage numbers and expected to see something less than 12 volts indicating a bad cell but to my surprise voltage was normal. Pulled the terminals all clean shiney and tight. Ok so one more check, I have always kept a push button load bank in the shop (heating element that pulls a drain on the battery)when I mashed the button the needle went far left into the red. So dispite the voltage the battery was shot. JD put in some rare and elusive size battery in the tractor and nearest dealer for the 990 CCA battery 70 miles away. I picked up a 750 CCA from Wallyworld it had a width 1/8" (front to back on tractor)bigger than original battery and 3/8 taller. To install, required increasing the elongated holes in the hood hinge battery front plate. Also temporary removal of the aft bolts holding the grill gaurd. Used her for a while yesterday and all seems well. We live in a region of the country where sub zero temps are rare. I would not recommend reducing the CCA in bruttle cold areas. Remains to be seen if this battery will hold up. Has anyone seen a battery with 12 volt output fail to take a load like this one did? HAPPY 4th of July all!
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