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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

How to store tractor batteries over the winter.

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Gerald

05-12-2004 20:36:05




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I know that asking a question about storing a battery over the winter in May is a little strange, but here is my situation. I have about 6 tractors stored in a barn located in NW Ohio. I go up there each summer for vacation and run the tractors. It can get real cold up there in the winter. Last winter it got down to -10 F for several days.

I have been removing the batteries each summer when I leave the farm and store them in a basement which does not freeze. My question is: What is the best way to store a tractor battery for a tractor which will not be started until the following summer? Should I continue to take them out or leave them in the tractor? My collection is getting big enough that taking them all out is not a small chore. So far, when I have taken them out and stored them in the basement I can put a charger on them for a couple of hours and they will turn and start the tractors. I have a Farmall M, A, F-20, 140 and Allis Chalmers B & C. Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks....Gerald

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wolfy

05-14-2004 20:29:51




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 Re: How to store tractor batteries over the winter in reply to Gerald, 05-12-2004 20:36:05  
Just don't set them on concrete.



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Gerald

05-13-2004 20:35:40




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 Re: How to store tractor batteries over the winter in reply to Gerald, 05-12-2004 20:36:05  
Thanks to all who offered their advice..... Gerald



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Ray

05-13-2004 18:22:31




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 Re: How to store tractor batteries over the winter in reply to Gerald, 05-12-2004 20:36:05  
I always leave them in the tractor,never had any
problems,they won't freeze if there any good.
I have more battery problems in the summer than
winter.



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Bill Smith

05-13-2004 11:53:30




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 Re: How to store tractor batteries over the winter in reply to Gerald, 05-12-2004 20:36:05  
Making sure the battery is fully charged and disconnected, taken out and placed on a board in the warmest (room temperature) place possible is probably the best. I knew an old lady that had this done to her car battery every winter and the battery lasted for 8+ years. Turns into alot of work when dealing with alot of machines. I have got to the point where I just make sure the battery is fully charged and disconnected (leave it right in the tractor). If I happen to leave it connected for minimal use during the winter, I check it several times during the winter to insure that it is maintaining its charge. The most damage occurs when the battery becomes completely drained and then freezes because of below freezing temperatures. So your #1 concern should be that the battery maintains its charge. However you gaurantee that, is your decision.

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Stick

05-13-2004 07:32:58




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 Re: How to store tractor batteries over the winter in reply to Gerald, 05-12-2004 20:36:05  
If you have power through the winter, you can use a maintainer. As long as a battery is fully charged, it will not freeze in those kinds of temps. If no power, continue what you're doing. My batteries stay in everything all winter and it gets -40 up here, but I do charge every one once a month. The worst are the little batteries in trikes and small motorcycles. They freeze very easily if they're not charged.

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Red Dave

05-13-2004 05:33:23




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 Re: How to store tractor batteries over the winter in reply to Gerald, 05-12-2004 20:36:05  
Sounds like what you are doing is working, but it must be a lot of trouble to do it.
I leave mine in the tractors, but I make sure they are charged up. I put the charger on about once a month or so to keep them up. A battery maintainer would do the same thing.
Whatever you do, don't let them sit around discharged, or even just partially charged. That kills batterys for sure.
I've had success this way, but I don't get many days down to 10 below either.

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Bus Driver

05-13-2004 04:55:10




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 Re: How to store tractor batteries over the winter in reply to Gerald, 05-12-2004 20:36:05  
Schumacher makes a great battery maintainer for 12 volt batteries. Cost nearly $40.00. Has no output unless it senses that it is hooked to a voltage correctly. I have used it to maintain more than one battery simultaneously by hooking it to one battery, then using "jumpers" made of 16 gauge wire to the other batteries. Works fine.



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RWK in WI

05-13-2004 04:17:12




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 Re: How to store tractor batteries over the winter in reply to Gerald, 05-12-2004 20:36:05  
I have had good luck with using the small "battery maintainers" to keep the batteries up over long periods of nonuse. If there is electricity to the building where the tractors are stored I don't take the batteries out of the tractors, but if there is no electricity I remove the batteries to a building where I can keep them charged. The maintainers are often available from Harbor Tools for under $10. A better grade from local Fleet Farm / Farm & Fleet for about $17. Other models are more. I have had 2 tractors on one meter for over 6 months and they only used 1 kw of electricity - about 8¢ around here.

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walt

05-12-2004 21:27:37




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 Re: How to store tractor batteries over the winter in reply to Gerald, 05-12-2004 20:36:05  
I take mine out, place it on a wooden board. Definitely mix some "gas stabilizer" with your fuel and run the tractor 5mins before you shut down for the winter.



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buickanddeere

05-13-2004 05:36:39




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 Re: Re: How to store tractor batteries over the wi in reply to walt, 05-12-2004 21:27:37  
True, the battery must be placed on a board or some sort of rigid thermal insulation. If the battery gets a temperature differential between it's bottom sitting on a cold floor and the room air is keeping the top/upper plates area warmer. The battery will self discharge due to a voltage gradient over the surface of the plates. The batteries must be at least disconnected when the tractors are parked. Time, moisture, wear, leaking oil & rodents all attack the wiring insulation.

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RAB

05-13-2004 08:32:16




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 Re: Re: Re: How to store tractor batteries over th in reply to buickanddeere, 05-13-2004 05:36:39  
I more than agree that the earth strap should be removed.
You don't want to come back to a load of ashes..... instead of tractors and building(s)!
Regards, RAB



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