Tractor won’t start with new battery

4tsparrow

New member

Equipment
Kubota L4200
Jul 2, 2022
3
0
1
Tennessee
Have a new battery in an l4200. I started it and used it for hours yesterday. Today I have nothing. No lights come on in the instrument panel, or anything else. Rechecked the battery and is still great. I’ve checked safety switches, the wires, etc. Any suggestions?
 

trial and error

Well-known member

Equipment
B7100dt manual trans. homemade FEL, 4 way hydraulic dozer blade
Feb 16, 2023
396
388
63
NY
This may sound obvious and may have been done.... but check the main battery connections?
 
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ve9aa

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Equipment
TG1860, BX2380 -backblade, bx2830 snowblower, fel, weight box,pallet forks,etc
Apr 11, 2021
1,202
982
113
NB, Canada
Checked the battery HOW exactly?

Load tester?

Voltmeter?

By eye?
 

D2Cat

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,829
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Might remove the ground wire where it connects to the frame. Clean the cable end and the metal frame. Sounds like you don't have a complete circuit.
 
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Runs With Scissors

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Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,442
2,818
113
Michigan
I agree with the above. Start with fuses, then check/clean/recheck grounds. Don't forget to inspect the battery cables along the entire length of them.

I had a situation on an F150 I had rebuilt the trans on, and when I finished the install, it wouldn't crank.

After hours of troubleshooting, I noticed a small "bulge" in the positive cable. Out of desperation, I stripped away the insulation and there was a big green blob of corrosion.

The crazy thing is that I had tested it for continiuty and it tested fine.
 
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GreensvilleJay

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Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,421
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Greensville,Ontario,Canada
Not that 'crazy'. Continuity is valid if only ONE little strand of copper allows some electrons to pass, a very,very low current. You need LOTS of AMPS to start engines....
 
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GBJeffOH

Active member

Equipment
L4060, EA Grapple, 6' LP Brush Hog, 8' snow plow, 6' LP tiller, EA Forks, Spraye
Nov 17, 2014
237
85
28
Jefferson, Ohio

270sniper

New member
Jan 18, 2023
12
3
3
Northeast PA
Same thing happen to me. Neighbor came down and disconnected the battery and scrapped the acid buildup from battery terminals and reinstalled battery. Be fine for 2 yrs now
 

BruceP

Well-known member

Equipment
G5200H
Aug 7, 2016
851
368
63
Richmond, Vermont, USA
Have a new battery in an l4200. I started it and used it for hours yesterday. Today I have nothing. No lights come on in the instrument panel, or anything else. Rechecked the battery and is still great. I’ve checked safety switches, the wires, etc. Any suggestions?
OK...I will ask the obvious questions:
  • WHY was the battery changed?
  • Was there some problem you were trying to resolve?
Explanation:
It is assumed that there is a REASON for replacing the battery... likely, the engine was not starting. If so, then perhaps installing new battery may not have been the proper resolution to that issue. (such as not charging)
 
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ve9aa

Well-known member

Equipment
TG1860, BX2380 -backblade, bx2830 snowblower, fel, weight box,pallet forks,etc
Apr 11, 2021
1,202
982
113
NB, Canada
If you just installed a new battery (why?) and now the tractor is dead there are a number of possible causes.
Alternator not recharging the battery? (but first you'd need to get it started and then use a voltmeter to look for more than resting voltage (typ 13.8-14.1) at the battery terminals.

However, it's likely the 3rd or 4th thing I'd check.

Loose/poor/corroded connections. Bad battery cables(green copper oxide). Blown fuses would likely get my attention first.