Replace a Riding Lawn Mower Battery

It’s an easy task to do, but if you don’t know how to do it right, it could end up being a negative experience, (pun intended.) Read this instructive article and learn how to replace a riding lawn mower battery!

Step #1 Remove the Old Battery From Your Mower
You have to do this first so you can take the worn-out battery when you go buy the new one. I don’t know if department stores like Wal-Mart take old batteries, but regular battery stores like Interstate do. I would think car parts stores like AutoZone and CarQuest would take trade-in batteries as well. They only give you a couple bucks for your old battery, but at least it’s disposed of properly.

Find the battery in your riding lawn mower so you can replace it. It may be under the hood, or even located under the seat. Use a wrench to loosen the bolt that’s holding the negative (-) (black) cable onto the battery terminal; pull the cable end up. Repeat this process with the positive (+) (red) battery cable.

If the battery is held in place by a bracket, loosen it. Then, firmly grab hold of the battery on both sides and lift it up and out of your riding lawn mower. Do not drop it! The case can crack or break and, the battery can explode!

Step #2 Buy a Lawn Mower Replacement Battery
Take your worn-out, six or twelve-volt lawn mower battery to a dealer and buy a replacement. A Word of Advice- Stay away from cheap or “reconditioned” batteries unless you really can’t spend the extra money. I’ve tried both in an effort to save money and was left disappointed.

If the battery’s not worn out, it just needs charged up, some AutoZone stores will perform that service for you.

Step #3 Clean the Battery Cable Ends
Before you put the new battery in your riding lawn mower, check the ends of the cables. If they’re corroded, you’ll need to clean them first. You can use a stiff tooth brush and baking soda with water. Mix up three heaping tablespoons of baking soda into a couple cups of water in an old container. Place the cable ends in the container and allow them to soak a few minutes. Then, scrub them clean with the old toothbrush. Rinse the ends clean with water and wipe them dry with an old rag.

To replace a riding lawn mower battery, it’s handy to have a battery post and terminal cleaner. This handy little device is available at some hardwares, and at all auto parts stores. It has a brush to clean off dirty, corroded battery terminals, as well as the cable ends so the metal meets metal.
for a good connection.

Step #4 Lower the Replacement Battery Into Place
Now, firmly grab the replacement battery and lower it into the holder. Make sure you position the battery so the positive and negative terminals are in the proper positions. Place the positive battery cable on the positive terminal and the negative cable on the negative battery terminal. Tighten the cables up so they are firmly secured. Replace the bracket, and you’re ready to mow!