battery wont hold a charge

[grasseater9]

I have an older Cub Cadet Zforce that won't start after sitting idle for 2-3 days. New battery last fall. Could there be something drawing power off the battery? Any suggestions?

 

[Loadstar]

Check voltage. Check for an amp draw with everything off. Also may need to check valve lash on engine.

 

[Travelover]

You can pull off one battery terminal lead and put a 12 volt test light between the battery terminal and the lead. The light should not light. If it does, something is draining the battery.

 

[Bigfoot62]

If you're suspicious of something sapping your battery, charge it up, then disconnect the negative post. Let it sit for 2 or 3 days and try it.

My guess is though, you probably just need a new battery. If you don't periodically charge it through the winter, or keep a battery tender on it, a year old battery could possibly be bad.

 

[Tx Jim]

I'll bet you need a new battery

 

[deerseeker001]

I would take the Battery in and have it check to see if it is good.

 

[BHD]

I would charge it up and then remove a cable and let it set, and then in a few days reattach the cable and try.

also check the water in the battery, if you have a low cell, could be a problem, putting a voltage gauge on the unit, one can watch and see how much it draws down when starting and if the alternator is kicking in and charging the battery, as said a light between the cable and post may indicate a drain, on the tractor, and thus the dead battery, like leaving the dome light on in the car,

I had an alternator that would drain the battery if it stopped in the wrong place that was a fun one to track down. it would be fine for a few weeks and then dead, and some times dead two or thee times in a row and then not for a few months, (this was a one wire alternator)/

 

[skyhook]

If it wasn't being "charged" while your Cub Cadet was running,
it will go dead after several days. Make sure the charging system is working on your Cadet.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I ruined a battery on my ZTS with a trickle charger last winter. It obviously was overcharging and boiled all the water out of the battery. I used to leave a battery minder on all winter but now I think I will just put it on overnight about once per month. The tender is a Schumacher which is supposed to be a good battery minder but it sure doesn't seem to know when to quit charging.

Most lawn mower batteries will last about a year. If you get two years its a fortunate situation even if you keep them charged thru the winter. The one I had was a DieHard and lasted 2 years. First one that came with the mower didn't make it a year before being replaced under warranty.
It sure seems that prices have gone up a bunch on them also. Used to be about $25 for one but now closer to $40 for the cheapest one @Walmart and still only 90 day warranty. I saw some at Sam's with a 1 year warranty but I think they were about $60.

 

[skyhook]

My Husqvarna mower came with the original battery, bought it second hand,
have had it now for 5 years and no issues.
Boost it up in the spring, even leave it in all winter.