Tractor shutting off and starting with jumper cables

[CDKL]

Good afternoon, I got my Super A out for the first time today since last garden season. The battery was dead (it is a 12V system) after jumping the tractor off from my truck and disconnecting the cables after a couple of minutes it will continue to run 5 more minutes or so and shut off. I can hook the jumper cables back up and crank it again with the same result. Would a completely dead battery do this or even a bad alternator? I’m just puzzled at this point.

[inairam]

I would put the battery on a charger overnight and see if it happens again. Clean connections. The tractor needs the power to run. If the battery is really dead and the charging system is not working a jump may give you 5 minutes of run time. It does not sound long enough for it to be the coil overheating

Does the amp meter read positive when it is running? How old is the battery?

Personally, I love this style of battery/ charging system tester. It is very easy to use, and tells you if the battery is good, and if the charging system is working. I keep it with the jumper cables. If I have to jump it I test the systems.

[CDKL]

Thank you for the reply. I just put my fluke meter on it and without it running and it gave me a reading of 11.30V
The battery is less than a year old. I will be able to crank it back up for a few days due to work.

[Don McCombs]

This may seem somewhat obvious, but is there sufficient fuel in the tank and the fuel valve turned on?

[CDKL]

Yes, plenty of fuel, full bowl and valve on

[inairam]

11.3 is a very low state of charge for a flooded lead acid battery - like less than 10%. It should not be below 50% or about 12.0 v for max life of the battery.

I think you need an overnight or 24-hour charge before you do anything else or any other troubleshooting of the charging system.

[CDKL]

I will definitely give that a try, I’ll have to find a charger as I do not own one unfortunately.

[inairam]

check the levels and put in distilled water top to off the cells.

[Gary Dotson]

I hope your, nearly new, battery survives! Setting dead through the winter will kill a good battery. Next year, get a maintainer to keep it charged. The advice given above is just what I would do, as well but don’t drag your feet getting it charged back up.

[CDKL]

I hope to get it charged within the next few days. I feel like I should know this but I’m just drawing a blank. If it is my battery why would it cause the tractor to shut off after it’s started?

[Urbish]

If your battery is only able to take a small charge from the jumper cables, it will run the ignition system until that charge is depleted. Now if your charging system was working properly, it should provide enough juice to keep the tractor going after starting. I would guess your charging system isn't working either.

[CDKL]

Possibly the alternator? What else would there be maybe the coil?

[tst]

you said you have an alternator , came with a generator , if you are not sure what you have post a pic of it

[CDKL]

Definitely has an alternator.

[inairam]

If your battery is only able to take a small charge from the jumper cables, it will run the ignition system until that charge is depleted. Now if your charging system was working properly, it should provide enough juice to keep the tractor going after starting. I would guess your charging system isn't working either.

I agree with the charging system is suspect but I have seen strange things happen when the battery is very weak.

I think a charge on the battery is a cheap first step and then see if the charging system is working.