Starting Issue - Kubota B8200

[BeattyRoad]

My tractor battery died. Went to Autozone to get a comparable battery. They couldn't match it perfectly so I got the closest thing.

I can eliminate a whole lot of problems because I can jump start the tractor from my car battery. As soon as I hook it up to the jumper cable the lights and gauges come on and she fires right up.

I can eliminate a starter issue, spark plugs, battery cable issues, bad fuses, etc.

As soon as I disconnect the jumper cables, all the lights and gauges go dead. Tractor still runs fine but no electric features work.

I'm kind of stuck with the idea that I bought a dead battery.

Is there anything else I should try before returning the battery?

 

[ericm979]

Measure the battery's voltage at the posts and at the terminals. You can check if the battery is dead or if the terminals are not making good contact with the posts.

 

[BeattyRoad]

It's measuring 0.0 on posts and terminals. It must be a bad battery. I've just never heard of anyone buying a dead battery. It never worked so it must have been dead from the start.

I left it hooked up to the car for a direct charge for about 30 minutes and still nothing. I've been trickle charging for about 16 hours too with nothing. I don't know if my charger can handle a car battery though.

 

[aczlan]

My tractor battery died. Went to Autozone to get a comparable battery. They couldn't match it perfectly so I got the closest thing.

I can eliminate a whole lot of problems because I can jump start the tractor from my car battery. As soon as I hook it up to the jumper cable the lights and gauges come on and she fires right up.

I can eliminate a starter issue, spark plugs, battery cable issues, bad fuses, etc.

As soon as I disconnect the jumper cables, all the lights and gauges go dead. Tractor still runs fine but no electric features work.

I'm kind of stuck with the idea that I bought a dead battery.

Is there anything else I should try before returning the battery?

View attachment 604362

Offhand based on that picture, I would re-attach your negative terminal on the battery as the clamp is sitting up too high on the terminal and it looks like it is loose as I can see between the clamp and the terminal.
I would also take off where the negative cable connects to the frame and clean that up and then reattach it with the negative cable from the battery on the bottom so that it is the closest to the frame with the smaller terminals on top of it. That should give you the best possible connection for your negative terminal.

Aaron Z

 

[radios1]

lead acid batteries are shipped dry, many people don't realize that, and don't buy the required battery acid until after a lot of frustration!..

 

[BeattyRoad]

Great suggestion. I really struggled to get that negative terminal on that post. I may replace it entirely before declaring the battery a dud. Let's assume the negative terminal is the issue. Was I able to jump start the tractor with no problem because my car battery is properly connected to its negative terminal?

 

[aczlan]

Great suggestion. I really struggled to get that negative terminal on that post. I may replace it entirely before declaring the battery a dud. Let's assume the negative terminal is the issue. Was I able to jump start the tractor with no problem because my car battery is properly connected to its negative terminal?

Correct (if the battery is broken inside so that the terminal is not connected).
I would try loosening that nut up all the way and seeing if it will slide down like the one on the positive terminal is.
when you measured 0 volts, that was on the actual lead terminal of the battery itself? Or was it on the clamps for the wires?

Aaron Z

 

[jaydee325]

Electrical trouble shooting 101: Start with a known good fully charged battery. In this case, you don't know. I've seen many new batteries returned bad.

Take it back and have it load tested.

Do you know how to put the all important first full charge on a new battery? If you don't, look it up. All battery manufactures have this information in their FAQs.

 

[BeattyRoad]

I measured on both. Both measured 0.0. I guess it could be a loose negative terminal. I'll try that first, replace the terminal, and then get the battery tested.

 

[def38]

Ascertain that the battery has 12.6 VDC open circuit voltage before attempting to put the new battery into engine start service. Using a smart battery charger, charge the new battery overnight at about 5 amps. With the engine running at fast idle, measure the voltage at the battery. It should read 14 volts or higher. It appears you have installed a new negative battery cable sometime previous to taking the photo. The negative battery cable clamp is poorly installed and the clamp looks to be overtightened. Correct that and route the negative cable so it does not cover the battery cap. Remove and clean the chassis negative battery cable connection. If the new, charged battery does not start the tractor, it is defective.

 

[def38]

I would also take off where the negative cable connects to the frame and clean that up and then reattach it with the negative cable from the battery on the bottom so that it is the closest to the frame with the smaller terminals on top of it. That should give you the best possible connection for your negative terminal.

Aaron Z

The negative battery cable shown in the photo uses a crimped eye terminal at the chassis end and a crimped battery post clamp at the battery end. The cable connections cannot be swapped.

BTW, that new battery is way oversized for the application.

 

[def38]

As soon as I disconnect the jumper cables, all the lights and gauges go dead. Tractor still runs fine but no electric features work.


View attachment 604362

I believe that suggest you have an electrical problem.

Start by checking all the connections at the battery and measure the voltage at the battery with the engine running fast idle. Report back.

 

[aczlan]

The negative battery cable shown in the photo uses a crimped eye terminal at the chassis end and a crimped battery post clamp at the battery end. The cable connections cannot be swapped.

BTW, that new battery is way oversized for the application.

You are misunderstanding me. I am saying, remove the bolt that holds the negative cable to the frame, clean around the hole and put it back together.


Aaron Z

 

[BeattyRoad]

You all are amazing. Thank you for taking your time to help me out. I will follow up as soon as she fires up! I have a lot of great suggestions to troubleshoot.

 

[def38]

You are misunderstanding me. I am saying, remove the bolt that holds the negative cable to the frame, clean around the hole and put it back together.

Aaron Z

Sorry Aaron. Apologies.

 

[BeattyRoad]

Are you guys sitting down? This is probably the most stupid mistake of my tractor life. I can't thank you all enough for helping me troubleshoot. I learned a lot. I especially learned how stupid I am. :duh:

The cap was left on the negative terminal.

Just remember when you're having trouble with your tractor and realize it's something simple, just say, "Well at least I'm not as mentally challenged as that guy who left the cap on his negative terminal."

 

[aczlan]

Are you guys sitting down? This is probably the most stupid mistake of my tractor life. I can't thank you all enough for helping me troubleshoot. I learned a lot. I especially learned how stupid I am. :duh:

The cap was left on the negative terminal. View attachment 605246

Just remember when you're having trouble with your tractor and realize it's something simple, just say, "Well at least I'm not as mentally challenged as that guy who left the cap on his negative terminal."

Not the first time and won't be the last... Sorry I didn't catch that. Now that I look, I see that in your first picture...

Aaron Z

 

[def38]

Don't beat yourself up too much....we missed it too. At least you now have a huge, new, reliable battery.