Original Battery Size

[jsosbe]

Back with more questions guys. Bought a 185 that needed some tlc. Ive had it completely disassembled going through the clutch (now 100% new), fixing the broken shift lever, fixing some of the cobbled up wiring harness from years of cobbling...new dash panel, all new heim joints and tie rods/ drag link, front wheels and tires were incorrect size, so that has been taken care of. Already had a brand new radiator and the engine had been completely rebuilt by a reputable auto shop in town. Creeper gear had some burrs in it and wouldn't shift into low gear (fixed). Rear main oil seal leak fixed thanks to Tim Talleur (tst) Woods mower deck needed some elbow grease and straightening... All in all its coming together... now..the problem I have is, I put a new 'Rural Junk' battery on it, but it really struggles turning over... pretty much every time I have to help out the starter to get it going. Once it fires it purrs perfectly.. First thing I plan on doing is taking the battery to the local auto parts store and having it tested...but after that, im at a loss. All connections look good. Starter/generator turns freely. Pretty sure all my wiring is correct. What size battery is supposed to be on this thing? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks ahead of time!

[Don McCombs]

Have you checked the fluid level in the battery and given it a complete charge?

[outdoors4evr]

The 154, 185, and 184 take a 12 volt - 22NF battery.

[Eugene]

Move the battery ground cable from the sheet metal to the transmission/differential.

[Gary Dotson]

I've put 22nf battery size in them before but I was thinking there is a battery that fits a little better.

[yellowcub]

I have found that the Napa Battery fits the best

[ihcc104]

When I got my Lo-Boy they had a Autocraft 26-3 Battery in it and it fit snug... but once I put the 3 point on my tractor the base that bolts to the frame protrudes into the battery box about 1/4" and that battery no longer fits. So as long as you don't have a 3-pt it will fit.

[jsosbe]

Ok, well I work 12hr nights so I havent had a chance to check a couple more things out yet... But.. I did do some looking and it shows the 22nf is 360 CCR... the battery I installed is 650 CCR. I have not personally removed the ground cable and inspected it 'YET' but someone along the line moved it from the sheet metal to the frame rail... I did not check the fluid level in the battery since it is brand new, but I will do so and I plan on cleaning the contacts on the ground cable. if that doesnt take care of it I may swap starter generators with my 'Original' Cub Cadet to see if its possibly a problem there, but I doubt thats it... it looks as though it has been replaced in the recent past, along with the voltage regulator... probably when the motor was rebuilt 4 or 5 years ago.. and its been sitting for 2 years. Would it be possible to still get juice to the starter generator if something was wired wrong? Almost as though its not getting the full amount. Anyways, its not doing me much good talking about it till I get a couple of these other possibilities eliminated. Thanks for all the input!

[Eugene]

I may swap starter generators with my 'Original' Cub Cadet.

Starter/generator on Kohler engines has a counter clock wise rotation. Numbered Cubs have a clock wise rotation. Won't work.

The starter/generator is not that difficult to rebuild. Most common parts are available from your auto parts store.

[jsosbe]

Eugene.... Good call... did not even realize that...you just saved me a couple hrs of pointless work.

[gitractorman]

These lo-boy tractors turn over pretty slow regardless of what you do, however, getting the starter in top-notch shape will be a big help. I would run a new ground cable all the way to the engine and ground it right to one of the bell housing bolts. Trust me, it's worth the few bucks and the effort to make sure that connection is REALLY good! Personally, I've found several tractors where both the ground cable and hot cable were so deteriorated that I replaced them both and found that to be a big help. I think moisture gets in the cables and causes some corrosion and this leads to some loss of power transmission. Anyway, if you're going to keep it I'd throw new cables on it.

I had a 1864 Cub Cadet (built in the 1990s) that all of the sudden wouldn't start, turn the key and get nothing. Push it in the barn and give it another try and it'd fire right up. Turned out the hot lead ran down under the engine and the insulation was worn through in 1 spot, about 1/4" long. Sometimes it would ground itself out, and others it wouldn't. Anyway, it works MUCH better with new cables!

Also, just like with normal Farmall Cub tractors, if you put the tractor in neutral and crank without depressing the clutch, it will crank easier because there is less load on the engine when the clutch is not pressing on the engine. I'd disconnect the clutch safety switch (if it's still in use) so that you can start it this way. The only danger is being able to start it in gear, however, since these crank so slow, you actually will have a second to realize it, figure it out, and fix it if you do it accidentally.

[jsosbe]

Well.. I am pleased to say it's fixed... I cleaned all the contacts and put it back together...nothing... took an educated guess and put new cables on... night and day difference. Could not believe that was the problem but definitely was. Tha KS guys for all the input.

[mastercraft]

never had a cranking issue on my 184, cranks fast and start good, even with the ground "still" on the sheet metal, clean connections and starters that are not worn out are key as well as a good battery

[staninlowerAL]

never had a cranking issue on my 184, cranks fast and start good, even with the ground "still" on the sheet metal, clean connections and starters that are not worn out are key as well as a good battery

I believe the slow starter speed on 154 & 185 vs 184 is directly related to the starter/generator vs a regular starter.

[A/C guy]

I had issues on my 154 with slow cranking and battery not charging up to full potential. Checked grounding from battery post up to starter/generator. I was losing 1.5V through the starter/gen. mounting bracket. I ran a heavy gauge wire from the regulator mounting screw to the engine block. Battery problems were gone.