Henry Rifle Forums

We had the tractor sitting for a couple months and when Tina went out to start it and drag the drive, it wouldn't start, the battery was dead. Put the charger on it for a couple hours, No joy in Whoville. Let it charge another couple hours and still didn't start, so I towed the tractor out of the lean to with the Ranger UTV and jumped it with the truck, started right up and she let it run a couple three hours and pulled the drive with the blade, taking down the gravel hump in the center and pulling the sides back toward the ruts. It wasn't TOO bad, but needed attention. She was telling me it could be a number of things, like the alternator and ....

"Battery." I told her, but at worst the Voltage Regulator...

But, my money is on the Battery. I explained that since the tractor ran after we jumped it, the Alternator was providing power. The battery just wasn't charging. The VR could be failing to pass power to the battery, but most likely the TWENTY year old battery wasn't taking the charge.

We took it out, after I figured out the complicated battery bracket in the Simplicity. (Massey Ferguson.) Took it to NAPA and they tested it. Bad Battery... couldn't believe the old Interstate lasted twenty years, and ordered a new one. The Legacy takes a full size battery, not a small lawn tractor battery. New battery came in today, and Boom, back up and golden. The tractor is twenty years old, but other than PM, repairing some mouse chewed wires under the hood, and a new set of tires, - it's been a great tractor. Our only regret has been NOT getting the bucket loader for the front when we had the chance. They are like hens teeth now. The tractor is already plumbed for this option and has the switches and hydraulic lines in place. The bucket loader is a plug and go option for this model.

Tina ditched the belly mower years ago for the finish mower and uses the blade and finish mower the most. The new tires make a huge difference in mud or snow, and aren't a problem on the turf if you don't make high speed brake assisted tight turns.

The finish mower:

The new tires:


Snow Work a couple winters ago. This is what convinced Miss Tina that the NEXT set of tires would need deep lugs for traction. That and the mud in the lower pasture in the spring.:

The saving grace on the tractor is it's 4wd and the locking rear diff. Hard to stick it. You just have to raise the blade or mower deck and roll on out. It's a 27 hp diesel powerplant.
Runs good, obviously lasts a long time if you take care of it.

20 years is a long life for a battery. Nice tractor!

Nice tractor Jim. Looks like it has good ground clearance as well. Appears Miss-T made the right call on those tires too!
You obviously got your money's worth out of that battery.

If we do move and get a bigger place, and the tractor and goodies don't sell with our Va farm, we plan to keep it even after buying a larger tractor with a bucket. We would use it around the residence for mowing, and inside the barn with the blade if needed.

Sounds like a good plan Jim!
Keep us posted as time allows on real estate issues. Wishing the best for Ya'll, including that guard dog!

The Battery in my John Deere lasted 11 1/2 years. Hardly anyone could believe it, but I even had proof, lol.

Twenty years is unbelievable.

I got a battery in my truck that is 11 years this month. Still starts it like the day I bought it. I'm going to see how long I can get out of it.

Nice Simplicity you got there.

Marine, you need to put that battery in a display case. I never get more than 5 yrs. out of a battery of any kind. Maybe I'm not holding my mouth right, LOL.

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I replaced the 'lawn and garden tractor' battery yesterday that was in my generator. 7 yr old battery.

Mags wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 26, 2020 10:02 pm

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I replaced the 'lawn and garden tractor' battery yesterday that was in my generator. 7 yr old battery.

Even that is a long lasting battery. Usually my bike or 4-wheeler batteries only last 2 to 5 years.
And those little ones cost almost as much as a full size. They are all on maintainers now though.

Grunt67 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 26, 2020 5:01 pm

Marine, you need to put that battery in a display case. I never get more than 5 yrs. out of a battery of any kind. Maybe I'm not holding my mouth right, LOL.

Yeah, I would have, but the new battery was $128 with the core turn in.
Would have been an additional charge if we had kept the old one for some reason.
Accompanying building inspectors for the county years ago, I lost count of the times we cited homeowners for rows of old automotive batteries and containers of used motor oil and other fluids lined up behind the garages along the back walls.

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I feel fortunate it lasted 7 yrs. The warranty was 30 day free replacement, 2 year prorated after that. The replacement was about $65, 1/3 of what I've paid for quality automotive batteries. I bought a maintainer that arrived from Amazon yesterday. I'll be installing it soon.

markiver54 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 26, 2020 10:23 pm

Mags wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 26, 2020 10:02 pm

.
I replaced the 'lawn and garden tractor' battery yesterday that was in my generator. 7 yr old battery.

Even that is a long lasting battery. Usually my bike or 4-wheeler batteries only last 2 to 5 years.
And those little ones cost almost as much as a full size. They are all on maintainers now though.

I kept my 11 1/2 year battery for a conversational piece, lol.

I just used another one I had around here for a core.

I collect as many as I can. Came home with $30 the last time at the recycling center, but soon after I learned that I could have got $80. I believe the market has since dropped way down though. I haven't checked in a while.