882 Cub Diesel

[rgraves77]

This is my first time to this forum, hoping for some help! I can not find a battery that will turn the motor on this tractor. I have put 2 garden batteries in the last year, not enough CCA in a small battery. I have checked around, and can not find a 12V battery 5 3/4 x 10 1/2 with side posts to fit! If it has enough stuff to start it, the battery is too big. Any suggestions?? I end up pushing it to the garage (with the help of my wife) to jump start it off the truck, and then it fires right up. I'm at the point of trying to have one made ($$$$) thanks for the help!

[Paul B]

An 882 is basically the same as the red 782D's. Start by cleaning the electrical grounds. Also check with a Cub Cadet dealer for a service bulletin that covered hard starting problems with the diesels. I don't remember all the details, but for one thing I believe it added an additional ground wire.

[gitractorman]

You need to go to a battery store, and not just a Wal Mart or local Tractor Supply. Here is the parts breakdown, but Cub Cadet lists the battery as no longer available



There should be a common made automotive 12v battery that will fit in the tractor, but it is NOT a lawn and garden tractor. Take the measurements of the battery tray to a battery store and they will tell you all of the sizes of batteries that can fit.

You can look up the manual on MTD's or Cub Cadet's website, with the serial number and model number off of the frame. The diesel Cub Cadets used a standard automotive battery rather than a lawn and garden battery, and that's where the cranking amps come from. It is also a different battery than was offered in standard Cub Cadet tractors, so a manual from another (non diesel) cub cadet will not help you.

Also, you should check the manual to see how to operate the glow plugs. I believe that you need to turn the key to the left, hold it a few seconds, with your thumb over the round opening (#8 on the following diagram) until your thumb is warm before starting. This makes all the difference in the world when starting a diesel.



Good luck,
Bill

[gitractorman]

Did a quick search and it seems that an issue with the diesel tractors is the grounding. Here is some info that I found for a fix:

The 782D also had grounding issues from the factory; later a service letter was issued that did this: Run a cable from the battery (-) terminal directly to the engine itself as the grounding capability is compromised by going through the frame. Doing this drastically improves the starting of these models.

This may help you more than just a new battery.
Bill

[junkman1946]

Find an Interstate battery distributor in your area. Not just someone who sells Interstate. If they cannot find the proper size for your application, they will have it made at the factory.