2185 won't start - battery? UPDATE

[Winfield Dave]

I am usually hanging out on the Cub forum, but Mom's Cub Cadet 2185 used for mowing grass won't start.

It began with just the clicking noise, then eventually nothing.
I checked all the wire connections - nothing.
Jump started and it ran - until I disconnected the jumper cables, then it died...It did this several times.
Charged up the battery - nothing.

Am I safe in assuming the battery needs replacing?

[Paul B]

If you jump started it by connecting another battery (or power source such as a charger) to the battery in the tractor and it started and ran until you disconnected that external battery/power source, then I would suspect the battery needs to be replaced. You said you charged the battery and nothing. Did the battery actually accept the charge? If a battery is actually charging, the meter on the battery charger should slowly drop to zero as the battery charges. If it starts at zero and stays there, or starts at a higher number and never drops lower, then the battery is not accepting a charge. I would stick a different battery in the tractor and see what happens.

[Eugene]

Cleaned up the battery terminals and cable ends? If so - bad battery.

[Winfield Dave]

Thanks for the help.

Cleaned up the battery terminals and cable ends?

Yep...learned that from Cub experience / forum.

Did the battery actually accept the charge?

I didn't actually check that...just put the charger on and left it for a few days.

I think it may be the original battery...have to check their paperwork...

Is this size battery readily available?
Sources?

[Eugene]

Is this size battery readily available? Sources?

I get mine at the local auto parts store. Big box stores such as Wal-Mart also carry a nice assortment of batteries.

[Winfield Dave]

Thanks Eugene

[wdeturck]

Winfield Dave: You seem to have a bad battery and a bad Voltage Regulator(VR). A check that works to see if the VR works is to run the tractor and disconnect the + lead. If the S/G is know to be good(engine bogs down when the field is shorted) dies the VR is bad. When you have it running and disconnect the jumper box you are basically doing that with a bad battery. Have your battery disconnected before you start your engine and if it dies the battery and VR are bad.

[Paul B]

Geezer,
That is good info, but in this case it doesn't apply, his tractor does not have a starter generator. The tractor has a flywheel alternator and a ring gear or bendix type starter.

[Winfield Dave]

I put a temporary battery on the tractor today and it fired right up...Cut grass for about 20 minutes and then parked it in the barn.
Since mowing season is over, I will get a new battery in the spring.
Thanks ALL for your help.

[Winfield Dave]

Update...Bought a new battery...installed it and it runs like a champ again !!
Thanks everyone for your help.