Lawn Tractor Battery
For a lawn tractor to start efficiently it needs to have an onboard rechargeable battery. A lawn tractor battery is used to store electrical energy that is used to turn on the motor by first generating electrical sparks which ignites the engine and then run the motor. This article describes various types lawn tractor batteries and how you should maintain them so that they may last longer.
Different Types of Lawn Tractor Battery
Before purchasing a battery, it is important to be well conversant with various types of lawn tractor batteries available in the market so that you make wise decision on which to buy. All lawn tractor batteries are rechargeable and a limited shelf life usually of about 5 years. Therefore a lawn tractor battery will have to be replaced after some time on occasional basis. But how frequent a battery will be replaced usually depends on proper care and maintenance and how frequent the tractor is used.
There are two types of lawn tractor batteries. These are nickel cadmium (known as Ni-Cad) batteries and lead acid batteries. These terms explain the constituent materials in the battery and are not names of battery brands. Each type has its own characteristics, pros and cons, as well as its own care and maintenance requirements. In both types they are further subcategorized into either a 6 volt battery or a 12 volt battery. A 12 volt battery is ideal since it has more capacity thus it doesn't need to be recharged frequently.
Nickel cadmium batteries are preferable to lead acid batteries since they are environmental friendly and they offer better performance. Lead acid batteries are made of very volatile chemicals that are very harmful to humans as well as the environment in general. Therefore when a lead acid battery completes its shelf life it should be disposed properly. In fact it should be returned back to the dealer so that it can be recycled. Nickel cadmium batteries do not contain any harmful chemicals, but should not be disposed in fire since they are flammable.
Getting yourself acquainted on how to handle batteries guarantees you safety and the battery offers optimum results for a longer duration of time. Well maintained batteries will last longer and give you trouble free service. Nickel cadmium batteries require less maintenance and attention than lead acid batteries.
Ni-Cad Batteries should be topped up occasionally, usually after 6 to 8 months and they should be recharged only when the battery is completely discharged.
Lead acid lawn tractor batteries require to be topped up with distilled water occasionally when the liquid levels in the battery fall below the level outlined by the manufacturer. There is a clear mark on the exterior part of the acid which acts as a guide of where the water level should reach. Never use tap water no matter how it is clean and do not exceed the marked level so as to avoid acid spillage. A space is usually left on top so as to allow the hydrogen generated to escape. In addition never add acid frequently since you might overcharge the battery.
In both types of batteries they should not be left uncharged and should not be disconnected when the engine is running.
The author is the owner of several lawn tractors and to find out more about the best lawn tractors read onto the next page at http://www.bestlawntractor.net/
Source:http://ezinearticles.com
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