On Apr 3, 4:53*pm, Nate Nagel wrote:
On 04/03/2010 07:15 PM, panabiker wrote:

I have a TroyBilt (MTD made) riding mower and the battery is dead
after only 4 summers.
[...]
My question: which is the main cause of very short battery life?

1. Lawn mower batteries are not nearly as well made (1yr warranty vs
6-8 yrs for auto batt.), or
2. The mowers don't charge batteries properly, or
3. Lack of use in winter drains and damages the battery, or
4. Something else?

3) is definitely a possibility. *Does the battery tend to need a charge
in the spring? *If so, you may want to consider putting the battery on a
"battery tender" over the winter, and if it is stored in an area that
could freeze, bring it inside your basement and set it on a board (not
so much because "setting a battery on concrete makes a battery go dead
faster" which may or may not be an old wives' tale, but to protect
whatever you set it on from any possible acid leakage)

nate

I agree with Nate and add that this likely is the cause. Lead-acid
batteries develop sulfates on the plates that adversely affect the
performance and longevity after a couple of months without a charge.
If the battery is stored without a charge for a few winters, expect it
to die sooner than it should compared to if it was properly maintained
while not frequently used. Lead-acid batteries "hate" to be neglected.
Use a trickle charger or battery tender during those months when it is
not in use.