April 19, 2023

Riding Mowers & Tractors: How do I charge a dead battery on my riding mower?

During the off-season, the battery can lose its charge. Charge the battery fully before storing your tractor for the winter. You may also need to charge the battery again before starting the tractor in the spring.

Replace the battery if it won't charge. If you charge the battery with an external charger but the battery drains when you're running the tractor, then the engine's alternator could be the problem. The alternator recharges the battery and powers the tractor while the engine runs. To check whether the alternator's charging the battery, use a multimeter to measure the DC voltage at the battery with the engine running. You should measure between 13 and 14 volts. If not, then you may need to replace the alternator.

When your mower's battery is dead and you need to mow right away, use the tips in our video to safely jump-start the mower.

riding mowers & tractors

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR RIDING MOWERS & TRACTORS PROBLEM

JC-RM-Replace-the-riding-mower-battery

Replace the riding mower battery

If the riding mower or lawn tractor engine doesn't make any noise when you try to start the mower, it might be time to replace the lawn tractor battery. A good indicator that the lawn tractor needs a new battery is if you charge the battery, and it loses the charge quickly.

Riding mower battery

Find the required part specific to your product.

JC-RM-Replace-the-alternator

Replace the riding mower alternator

The alternator attaches to the engine under the flywheel and generates power for the tractor while the engine is running. The alternator also recharges the battery while the engine runs. If the engine won't start because the battery drains while running the tractor, the alternator could be at fault. Check DC voltage at the battery with the engine running. You should measure between 13 and 14 volts. If not, then you may need to replace the alternator.

Riding mower alternator

Find the required part specific to your product.

Most common symptoms to help you fix your riding mowers & tractors

Choose a symptom to see related riding mower and lawn tractor repairs.

Main causes: punctured tire or inner tube, leaky valve stem, damaged wheel rim…

Main causes: clogged carburetor, damaged flywheel key, dirty spark plug, stale fuel, improper valve lash, engine needs a…

Main causes: worn or broken ground drive belt, bad seat switch, transaxle freewheel control engaged, transaxle failure, …

Main causes: damaged tie rods, bent or worn wheel spindle, worn front axle, damaged sector gear assembly…

Main causes: engine overfilled with oil, leaky head gasket or sump gasket, damaged carburetor seals, cracked fuel pump, …

Main causes: shift lever needs adjustment, neutral control needs adjustment…

Main causes: worn or broken blade belt, broken belt idler pulley, blade clutch cable failure, bad PTO switch, damaged ma…

Main causes: damaged cutting blade, worn deck pulley, damaged mandrel pulley, loose fasteners on mower deck components…

Main causes: faulty battery, bad alternator…

Most common repair guides to help fix your riding mowers & tractors

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your riding mower or lawn tractor.

How to replace a riding lawn mower rear tire

How to replace a riding lawn mower rear tire

Your mower can’t run on a damaged rear tire. Here’s how to install a new one.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower blade

How to replace a riding lawn mower blade

If a blade on your mower is dull or bent, replace it following the steps in this repair guide.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower fuel filter

How to replace a riding lawn mower fuel filter

Help your mower run better by replacing the fuel filter during your riding mower's annual tune-up.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your riding mowers & tractors

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your riding mower or lawn tractor.

How to remove a lawn mower blade using a removal tool

How to remove a lawn mower blade using a removal tool

Learn how a blade removal tool makes replacing the blade easier and safer…

Charging a battery in a riding lawn mower video

Charging a battery in a riding lawn mower video

Learn how to use a battery charger if your mower battery is dead.…

Riding mower and tractor common questions

Riding mower and tractor common questions

You might find the answers to your questions about your riding mower or lawn tractor in this list of frequently asked qu…