Do the new style Kubota batteries require maintenance?

[sixdogs]

Kubota batteries used to be sealed with no caps to remove and no adding of water or maintenance required. I loved it. Last year I bought two 1000 amp Kubota batteries and while each was said, by parts dept, to be sealed and no maintenance, the battery caps can be removed.

I looked in and the electrolyte level looked just like the old days with some cells higher or lower than the others. Since they all started out the same, that has to be from the evaporation of water and that means adding water should be required. But that doesn't sound right.

Here are some pics. The caps do not appear to be vented, and I could remove them. I'm not sure what that means or what, if anything to do.

. .


.
I can easily remove the two caps. Does anyone know what to do?

 

[RjCorazza]

Cell levels will vary with use and charge percentage. Make sure the plates are at least covered, then fully charge the batteries. Add distilled water to the bottom of the well tube (for lack of a better term). There's usually a slot in the vertical well tube, and water slightly into the well tube is not going to hurt anything.

I have heard of batteries with similar caps called "no maintenance" or "low maintenance", but there is nothing "maintenance free" about them.

 

[sixdogs]

Cell levels will vary with use and charge percentage. Make sure the plates are at least covered, then fully charge the batteries. Add distilled water to the bottom of the well tube (for lack of a better term). There's usually a slot in the vertical well tube, and water slightly into the well tube is not going to hurt anything.

I have heard of batteries with similar caps called "no maintenance" or "low maintenance", but there is nothing "maintenance free" about them.

There are no vents on these caps.Do you find that odd?

 

[RjCorazza]

There are no vents on these caps.Do you find that odd?

I've seen similar batteries that vent on the top edge of the case inline with the caps. I'm sure they vent somewhere, perhaps valve regulated?
I do know that I have had exceptional service from Kubota batteries, usually in the 10+ year range.

 

[drssg]

The picture in the OP looks like a normal maintenance free battery to me. I think it's fairly common for a maintenance free battery to ship from the factory without the acid added to the battery.

Someone else adds the acid before use. With my last motorcycle battery, I had to add it myself.

 

[sixdogs]

The picture in the OP looks like a normal maintenance free battery to me. I think it's fairly common for a maintenance free battery to ship from the factory without the acid added to the battery.

Someone else adds the acid before use. With my last motorcycle battery, I had to add it myself.

So if someone filled it with acid but now the electrolyte levels in the battery are uneven, ither someone didn't fill it correctly, which seems unlikely, or some water evaporated. Assuming it evaporated, should I add distilled water to bring the electrolyte level up to where it should be?

I've had Kubotas and Kubota batteries since maybe 1987. Most were higher HP and every Kubota battery I saw was completely sealed. I never saw any vent holes and batteries lasted 10-13? years. Starting a five? years ago I started to see a different style battery, with the removable electrolyte caps and no mention anywhere that they were maintenance-free or not. Dealer didn't know either. No one knew.

I didn't pay much attention but did have two fail after maybe 5 years. That seems too coincidental and brings us back to the very important question of are these maintenance-free or maintenance required? The answer is either adding some distilled water or possibly finding a battery failure when the 60 month warranty (probably pro-rated) ends.

 

[Pinecrest]

Kubota batteries used to be sealed with no caps to remove and no adding of water or maintenance required. I loved it. Last year I bought two 1000 amp Kubota batteries and while each was said, by parts dept, to be sealed and no maintenance, the battery caps can be removed.

I looked in and the electrolyte level looked just like the old days with some cells higher or lower than the others. Since they all started out the same, that has to be from the evaporation of water and that means adding water should be required. But that doesn't sound right.

Here are some pics. The caps do not appear to be vented, and I could remove them. I'm not sure what that means or what, if anything to do.

View attachment 4327392 .View attachment 4327396 .


.View attachment 4327391
I can easily remove the two caps. Does anyone know what to do?

The battery on my new MX5100 lasted 12 years ....when I went to buy a new one they said they were not getting them anymore so I bought from them an Interstate ....hope when this one fails they still have the New ones .....I would gladly pay for it !

 

[USN2TN]

All Lead Acid batteries with liquid electrolyte have vents, sometimes the vents are less obvious but they are there. Liquid electrolyte levels change in each individual cell based on the chemical process in that particular cell. As stated before, use distilled water to make sure the plates are covered, reinstall the caps & charge the battery. Once charged, remove the caps verify electrolyte levels cover the plates and add distilled water to the OEM recommended levels (standard range used to be anywhere in the slot at the bottom of the drop tube).
Even AGM type Lead Acid batteries have a small amount of electrolyte (mostly absorbed into the Mats) and they have vents as well.

 

[kneedeep]

Fill the battery with distilled water evenly covering each cell completely. Check battery fluid yearly.
Attach a battery maintainer and use it during long storage.
Battery should last years.

 

[drssg]

So if someone filled it with acid but now the electrolyte levels in the battery are uneven, ither someone didn't fill it correctly, which seems unlikely, or some water evaporated. Assuming it evaporated, should I add distilled water to bring the electrolyte level up to where it should be?

I've had Kubotas and Kubota batteries since maybe 1987. Most were higher HP and every Kubota battery I saw was completely sealed. I never saw any vent holes and batteries lasted 10-13? years. Starting a five? years ago I started to see a different style battery, with the removable electrolyte caps and no mention anywhere that they were maintenance-free or not. Dealer didn't know either. No one knew.

I didn't pay much attention but did have two fail after maybe 5 years. That seems too coincidental and brings us back to the very important question of are these maintenance-free or maintenance required? The answer is either adding some distilled water or possibly finding a battery failure when the 60 month warranty (probably pro-rated) ends.

You are more diligent than I am. I have never done fluid level maintenance on a maintenance free battery.

The biggest variable IME is the quality of the battery. I bought a cheap TSC battery that only lasted about a year, and it caused a bunch of corrosion. I bought an Optima battery that lasted fourteen years.

I believe the AGM technology was a significant improvement.