Understanding the Essential Tips to Maintain Your Lawn Tractor Battery
A lawn tractor is an essential tool to maintain the greenery around your home. It makes mowing and lawn maintenance a lot easier than doing it manually. However, owning a lawn tractor comes with the responsibility of keeping it running smoothly, e.g., taking care of the engine, tires, blades, and, most importantly, the battery.
Why Is Maintenance of a Lawn Tractor Battery Critical?
The battery is the powerhouse of your lawn tractor. It provides the necessary electrical energy to start the engine, power up the headlight, and operate other accessories. But as with any battery-powered device, a lawn tractor battery can fail or discharge over time and require replacement, which can be expensive.
The Best Practices to Keep Your Lawn Tractor Battery in Optimum Condition
Here are five best practices to keep your lawn tractor battery healthy:
Keep It Clean and Dry
Battery terminals can corrode if exposed to moisture and grime. Corrosion can lead to poor electrical connections and eventually battery failure. To avoid this, keep your battery clean and dry regularly. Use a brush and a solution of baking soda and water to remove corrosion from the terminals. Ensure that you dry the battery completely after cleaning it.
Charge Your Battery Regularly
It’s vital to keep your lawn tractor battery charged, even if you’re not using it frequently. A fully charged battery can resist freezing in winter and maintain its optimum capacity throughout the mowing season. Regular charging also extends the battery life and reduces the need for frequent replacements.
Store Your Battery Appropriately during Winter
If you don’t plan to use your lawn tractor during winter, you need to remove the battery and store it properly. Make sure it’s fully charged, remove the negative cable, and store it in a cool and dry place away from other metal objects. Also, keep the battery off the ground to avoid discharging it due to low-temperature floors.
Check for Battery Acid Level and Specific Gravity often
Battery acid level and specific gravity determines the battery’s ability to hold charge and provide electrical energy. Fill the battery with distilled water if the acid level is below the recommended level. Use a hydrometer to verify the specific gravity of your battery if you’re unsure of it. Low specific gravity means the battery is uncharged and requires a recharge.
Invest in a Battery Charger and Conditioner
A battery conditioner keeps your battery charged and maintains its optimum capacity over time. It can help to prevent sulfation – a process where crystals form inside the battery that can eventually kill it. A battery charger can also save you time and money by reducing the need for frequent battery replacements.
