Battery acid spew...

rockyridgefarm · Oct 1, 2004

OK, this seems to be common, if not universal.

My JD4310 came with an Ag type battery. As I understand it, it is extremely resistant to running down when left unused for long periods. But that seems to come at a price. The battery is prone to spewing acid fumes.

Deere is awefully good about trading out the battery, and repairing any damage. That may even be covered for three years (the battery's warranty)

I knew this from day one and kept a close eye on things. It wasn't until I removed the battery that I discovered a small amount of damage to the frame and radiator. Now Deere would repair this under warranty, but I decided that I would repair the damage and replace the battery with an Optima.

What other solutions are working? Are any other manufacturers shipping a sealed battery that willl work long term?

thcri · Oct 1, 2004

New Holland seems to have a high failure rate with this also. When my tractor was about three months old I complained about it and they took my tractor and cleaned everything up. But kept the same old battery in it. Then at the one year poiint the battery just went to pot. So I complained again and told them I was worried about damage to the front of the tractor and they then cleaned everything up and put a Gell battery in there. Since then I have had no problems.

murph

ronjhall · Oct 1, 2004

Mike
My 2000 Kubota B2910 has a similar battery setup as your JD . It has not shown any of the Acid Spew that some of the other tractors are having. I do not remember any other Kubota owners complaining about this problems. I wonder if there is a battery difference or some other way that Kubota is avoiding the Acid Spew?

Steve_Miller · Oct 1, 2004

My Kioti came with the same Optima battery and it is also leaking acid. I've cleaned it up a couple of times already but it keeps seeping. Its going in next week for backhoe installation so I will demand a better battery. Its eating at bolt heads and the radiator as well. So your not alone.

Steve

ducati996 · Oct 1, 2004

( My Kioti came with the same Optima battery and it is also leaking acid. I've cleaned it up a couple of times already but it keeps seeping. Its going in next week for backhoe installation so I will demand a better battery. Its eating at bolt heads and the radiator as well. So your not alone.

Steve )

I doubt it was an Optima...are you sure you meant to say Optima??

KiotiJohn · Oct 1, 2004

Kioti doesn't ship the tractor with battery. The dealer is responsible for placing it. I'm not sure if other brands also do this, but probably do. When buying a new tractor, make sure the dealer puts in the type battery you prefer. Optima batteries are supposed to be sealed units aren't they, therefore no spewing? John

BobCorazza · Oct 2, 2004

I read about the battery acid issues here and replaced mine with an optima redtop also. Sucking acid fumes through the radiator didn't appeal to me!

PineRidge · Oct 2, 2004

I went through the whole acid mess. Cleaned the tractor up and installed the Optima battery myself. New Holland reimbursed me for the Optima and I haven't had a minutes problem since.....

BubbaJr · Oct 2, 2004

It has not shown any of the Acid Spew that some of the other tractors are having. I do not remember any other Kubota owners complaining about this problems. 

This makes me wonder if the charging voltage is too high on the other brands causing the battery to cook. If the voltage output of the alternator (dynamo) is much over 14.2V, that might cause the excessive fumes and spewing. Or not, just food for thought. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

ronjhall · Oct 2, 2004

Bob
Did you change yours because of a problem or to avoid a problem?
I need to check mine again. I have not checked since the spring.

Steve_Miller · Oct 3, 2004

Yes, Optima, its a NH/Kioti dealer. No it is not a sealed battery, the tops pop off no problem at all, its charging at 14.5volts according to my meter (at idle and 2000rpm's). Sorry for the late reply but I just got back from the cottage.

Steve

Inspector507 · Oct 3, 2004

Yes, Optima, its a NH/Kioti dealer. No it is not a sealed battery, the tops pop off no problem at all, its charging at 14.5volts according to my meter 

Hmmm.......The real Optima Battery company may like to hear of this, but then again he is in Canada too.

Steve_Miller · Oct 3, 2004

Jerry, You peaked my curiousity, I just ran out to the shed to look and I lied, its a New Holland battery that has Optimum written on it. Sorry for the confusion.

Steve

Inspector507 · Oct 3, 2004

Optimum did pop in my mind. I thought that might be it.

PineRidge · Oct 3, 2004

Steve for optimum performance replace the Optimum with a Optima battery. Are we confused here yet? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

SPIKER · Oct 4, 2004

the boss's green 4400 JD almost 2 yrs old, ate the hyd cooling unit from this! they are giving free parts but he has to do work or bring it in, can't load it up so had to do it... seems like a bad thing. mine leaked a bit prior to oepning up the little breather holes as some of them pressurized the china battery and caused a bit of spew... washedit all off and seems OK now. but i have to check the level pretty soon as it;s already got frost warnnings for tonight /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif where did SUMMER go or for that metter SPRING? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Mark M

rockyridgefarm · Oct 4, 2004

Ron, I am glad to hear you haven't had any problems!

Please note, I knew that Deere owners were having issues, so I checked mine regularly. But, only when I took my battery out did I discover hidden damage.

I don't think that it is a quality issue. It just seems to be related to type of use. If the tractor bounces a lot, especially under heavy use, like bush hogging a pasture. Heat, bouncing and a high speed radiator fan might be combining to make a mess...

Here is a link to the Strongbox Batteries. Sure seems like Deere is serious about their quality...

And here is a Deere branded Optima (type) Spiral Cell Battery.

Twanger · Oct 12, 2004

Add me to the latest of 4310 owners with battery acid indigestion. This is my 2nd battery in the 3ish years. I've been reading this thread and dreaded looking at mine. It is so bad that the clips that thread the bolts for the hold down tabs on the battery were just crusted clumps and wouldn't unthread. I took it to my local deere dealer (where we didn't by it from) and I talked to the service guy who is on the ball. The owner is a dud (and why my wife went down the road to buy the tractor). The service guy said he hadn't heard of such troubles, but that it sounded like the battery was getting cooked (overcharged). He is talking to deere about it. I am probably out of warranty and outta luck. For you sealed battery fellows is there a problem of overcooking sealed batteries? I thought you had to trickle charge them

RalphVa · Oct 12, 2004

An achilles heal with Toyotas is battery post corrosion. My Tacoma even leaked battery acid down the side as described on your tractor.

The solution, believe it or not, was the installation of a pair of those pads underneath where the battery cables attach. I have not had a bit of trouble with corrosion or leaking battery acid since installing these felt pads.

My new Gravely battery bought from Central Batteries in town (Charlottesville) came with those felt pads on the terminals.

I use them on all my vehicles now. No post corrosion at all.

Ralph

Boondox · Oct 13, 2004

( I read about the battery acid issues here and replaced mine with an optima redtop also. Sucking acid fumes through the radiator didn't appeal to me! )

I didn't see an application chart for tractors on the Optima display, nor did the salesman know what battery my L3010 needed. Is there a fit guide online somewhere..?

Pete