How to Replace the Sears Lawn Mower Battery
Riding lawnmowers are useful for mowing large yards or fields, but if yours will not start, it is useless as a garden tool. For this reason, it's important to be sure that the battery is in good working order before attempting to use the riding lawnmower. If the battery is discharged or damaged, it can be quickly replaced with another battery of similar size and capacity. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sears riding lawnmower
- Baking soda
- 16 oz. of water
- Two 8 oz. cups
- Old toothbrush
- Paper towels
- Petroleum jelly
- Slip-joint pliers
- Adjustable wrench
- 12-volt lead-acid lawn and garden battery, available at most auto parts stores
Instructions
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1
Lift the tractor seat up from the seat back. Open the battery cover. Hold the negative (black) battery cable terminal connector retaining bolt with the slip-joint pliers, and loosen the terminal connector retaining nut with the adjustable wrench. Remove the negative battery cable from the battery post.
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2
Hold the positive (red) battery cable terminal connector retaining bolt, and loosen the terminal connector retaining nut. Remove the positive battery cable from the positive battery post. Hold the old battery at the sides and lift it out of the battery compartment.
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3
Put one tablespoon of baking soda into an 8 oz. cup and fill the cup with water. Stir the mixture with the head of an old toothbrush. Dip the negative battery terminal connector into the cup for a few seconds, then remove the battery cable from the cup. Dip the positive terminal connector into the cup for a few seconds, then remove the cable from the cup. Brush the battery connectors with the toothbrush. Pour water into another clean cup and dip the negative terminal connector into the water to rinse it. Dip the positive terminal connector in the water to rinse it. Dry them with paper towels.
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4
Lift the new battery into the battery compartment. Apply a thin film of petroleum jelly to the battery posts, and to the exposed metal on the battery terminal connectors. Attach the positive battery terminal connector to the positive battery post and tighten the retaining bolt. Attach the negative battery terminal connector to the negative battery post and tighten the retaining bolt. Close the battery compartment and put the seat down.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not attach the battery cables to the wrong battery posts (positive to negative, for instance), or damage will occur to the lawnmower's electrical system.
