Battery infront of Radiator... new compact tractor.

DFZ · Aug 24, 2017

The battery in our small compact Kubota tractor is near the end of its life... 8+ years so I am not complaining.. It is a small, compact, sealed battery. It is great, no battery acid corroding cables.
I Called our local Kubota dealer about replacement, and all they sell are Interstate,lead acid wet cell batteries.
I am concerned about putting a non-sealed battery infront of the radiator like that... Sucking battery gasses through the thin aluminum radiator... Am I worried over nothing? Anybody have problems in the long run with batteries infront of radiators after 10-15 years causing major corrosion on the radiator? Not to mention I hate the thought of the corrosion on the battery cables.. The cables on this sealed battery still look like new...

Any thoughts? Thanks..

charlie n · Aug 24, 2017

I've had a New Holland for 20 years set up that way. No problem so far.

Gambles · Aug 24, 2017

Since I have not seen your battery and you have, I guess I shouldn't be asking this question, but... Are you sure it's truly sealed?

Steve@Advance · Aug 24, 2017

You could go with an Optima, or Exide AGM battery.

They don't have liquid acid, no chance of splashing, probably very little if any gassing.

showcrop · Aug 24, 2017

My Kubota is 16 years old and on it's second battery. I have been rotary mowing with it lately and I can't see how I wouldn't have noticed corrosion of the radiator while cleaning the screen.

Bob M · Aug 24, 2017

We run a pair of JD 5410's with standard wet cell batteries tucked ahead of the radiators. No corrosion problems with either after 12+ years and 4,000+ hours of use.

jm. · Aug 24, 2017

The L series has been like that for years. I have sold many and replaced lots of batteries and don,t I have ever seen any radiator concerns from what you are worrying about. Just be sure while you have that battery out go on and clean the lower part of the radiator good. IF YOU GO to most KUBOTA dealers now days you are going to get an interstate battery as Kubota has a marketing agreement with interstate.

Russ from MN · Aug 24, 2017

When our 2001 JD4600 was new the original battery gassed very badly, started corroding everything around it. I complained to the dealer and they replaced the battery and the corroded parts. They gave us a JD Strongbox battery that had a vent tube like a motorcycle battery, it lasted just over 11 years. I replaced it with a sealed car battery that seems to be OK. This battery is right in front of the radiator also.

504 · Aug 24, 2017

If you look close, I think you will see the vents on both side of the InterState,two hoses and you can vent them just about anywhere.

JMOR · Aug 24, 2017

MF has been using wet cell batteries in front of radiator since the '70s. Find something else to 'worry' about.

DGinVT · Aug 24, 2017

My NH TC34DA is like that, battery in front of radiator with no problems.

db4600 · Aug 25, 2017

DB has done it as well. I have seen no problem.

4520BW · Aug 25, 2017

Our 1981 John Deere 750 compact has it if front of radiator also, nothing had corroded in 35 years.

BarnyardEngineering · Aug 25, 2017

X2 on "are you sure it's really a sealed battery?"

Many people mistakenly think a "maintenance free" battery is sealed. It isn't.

If it is truly sealed you should be able to get an exact replacement from a battery dealer.

Mike M · Aug 25, 2017

I too have a JD 750. Hard to believe it is that old now ! LOL.

Well I did have an issue one time with a replacement battery that seeped and corroded the grille screen and battery tray. Lucky to of caught it before it damaged much. Some times you get a battery that just like to make a mess. I hate those ! Other times you get one that is fine.
You might find a totally sealed one just to be safe or get a lower priced regular one and keep a close eye on it.

Donald Lehman · Aug 25, 2017

The Oliver/Fiats all had batteries in front of the radiator. Were not sealed types either. Don't ever recall any radiator problems.

Dustydoo · Aug 25, 2017

I work at a radiator repair shop, lately we have started seeing more radiator and oil coolers that have been corroded away from battery acid ! Some may be from an overcharging system ??

dcarp · Aug 25, 2017

X 2 for my NH TC-29.

fixerupper · Aug 25, 2017

I would think putting the battery in front would shorten it's life because of exposure to more bounce and jarring but evidently that's not the case.

Texasmark1 · Aug 26, 2017

Thousands and thousands like yours. I wouldn't worry about hydrogen exhausting if your charging circuit isn't overcharging your battery I wouldn't worry about it. Hydrogen is part of the atmosphere, venting is a minor part, billions of vehicles have batteries installed in different places around aluminum and all. Mine are there on myh '07 and '16 and I am not using sealed batteries. The 07 was replaced this spring for the first time with a standard size 31 non sealed and the '16 has an Exide non vented as new equipment.

Battery infront of Radiator... new compact tractor.

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