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Cub Cadet LT1018 charging system not working?

I have a 4 year old Cub Cadet LT1018 with Briggs & Stratton 31Q777 (18.5 HP, OHV) engine. On a battery that has just been fully charged, the mower will start and run about 20 minutes before engine loses power and eventually stops. The whole time the engine is running, the battery light is on, which according to the manual, means the battery is low or not being charged. I am a female, not mechanically inclined AT ALL, who is at the mercy of repair shop. Mower has been in shop twice for same problem, still not fixed. New voltage regulator was just installed, but has not fixed the problem. Repairman suggests I need a stronger battery (which he carries). that charging system can't keep up with drain from PTO and hydrostatic transmission. Current battery is CA 350, CCA 275. I am clueless as to what all that means and fear repair shop is just trying to get more of my money for a more expensive battery (manual calls for CCA 190 battery). Any idea as to what is wrong? Do I need a new alternator? A stronger battery? Supposedly the shop tested the current battery and did not detect a bad cell. Thanks for any and all help!!!!

Gayle
April 2008

Briggs & Stratton Garden Tools, Lawn Mowers Year Briggs Stratton

I am not writing the problem as it is the same as the rest of you. I own a 2006 Cub Cadet LT 1022. It was an out the door clearance and after just one season of usage, I know why. I did get it cheap. Lets remember that we are having issues with a mower that was manufactured buy MTD and NOT Cub Cadet. My mower has not charged since I owned it. My engine is the 22 horsepower Intek twin cylinder. It has electric compression release which assists in starting high compression motors with low amp electric systems. This feature has never worked either. However it continues to draw amps from the battery. After some diagnoses, I was able to disconnect the ECR from the wire harness and my problem was solved. I do trickle charge the battery after each use. The difference in cost was 20 bucks for the trickle charger or 1400 for a new short block. The mower is used for hauling wood around the yard and has been taken out of mowing service in lieu of a new mower. But she runs beautiful. Pushing 500 hours. good luck with your mowers.

Mike M.
November 2015

Dont fill bad I have a 1050 .. 100 hours same problem trouble shooting it today to see if I can figure it out . I have done the same has most if you . Good luck with your cub junk pile . I have purchased a Toro and it works great .

mike
June 2014

I've had the same problem all summer. I can't get it started - it cranks but wont catch. Last year I purchased a new battery, so it's not that. I've attached a charger for a few hours before I start the mower and then it starts. Has anyone figured out what the problem is with the cub cadets.

BJH
November 2013

I have had the same problems. Not sure yet what exactly is causing the battery not to charge. But I was tired of jumping off the battery and having the PTO not engage. As a temporary, if not permanent fix, I have purchased a 1.5amp maintenance charger from Wal-Mart that I leave connected. When the battery needs a charge it slow charges it. When it is charged it shuts off. The mower runs fine with this "fix".

The first time I connected the charger it took about 6-8 hours and I had a full charge. The mower then performed flawlessly; starting, restarting, turning the PTO on and off as I pleased. It has been a great $20 work around.

steveD
August 2013

people the alternator for these tractors is under the flywheel. for older tractors such as these sometimes the flywheel gets a little corroded and the pickups cant get the current they need, have your mechanic or do it yourself if you are mechanically inclined clean the contacts on the flywheel with some 800 grit sandpaper and this may fix your problem.

joe
August 2013

My mother had the same problem on her cubcadet. After some investigation it appears to me that the PTO pulls so much current that the battery will not charge unless the engine is run at full rpm (rabbit). This is a very strange design and as an engineer seems extremely marginal to me but the only solution so far is to run the engine at full rpm while mowing and use the right pedal to set the speed

Justus
December 2009

Check this site for how to test charging system: http://bit.ly/15nV9m

dbost
June 2009

I don't have an answer for you but I am experiencing the exact same problem that you are with a Cub Cadet LT1018, same engine, same age. Clearly something in the electrical system is not functioning properly but it has been hard to determine what and it's out of warranty. I will let you know if I find an answer

dbost
June 2009

Having same problem. The battery is not the problem. I'm going to try replacing the alternator.

mike d.
May 2009

I don't have an answer but I am now having the same issue as you are now having and I was hoping that you or some of you may have figured out what the problem was. If so could you pass it on to me so I could please enlighten my mechanic so he doesn't charge my arm and leg off.

lilstomper
April 2009

Gayle. We were having similar problem (symptoms). We replaced the coil. Fired right up and kept on running. Good luck!

Karen
July 2008

i have the same problem. tried new battery from lowe's, didn't last. bought 390 cca battery from dealer, still wont keep charge. any new revelations?

josh
July 2008

I submitted the text above to Cub Cadet website and this is the answer I received:
"The PTO clutch is the only draw on the battery when you are mowing. A higher (stronger) CCA battery is not the cure. Either the engine alternator is not providing sufficient charge to the battery or there is a bad electrical ground not allowing the charge to reach the battery.

The dealer needs to check the alternator output to the voltage regulator and then check the voltage output to the battery. He also needs to check the electrical ground path (make sure the grounding part of the electrical system) is operating properly."

Gayle
June 2008

I will never buy another Cub Cadet lawn tractor ever again. Over $2000 for what has amounted to a pile of worthless junk.

Matt
May 2008

I have the same system- happened to me last summer- bigger battery worked for me.

Tracey
May 2008

Hi Gayle,

I don't have an answer for you but I am experiencing the exact same problem that you are with a Cub Cadet LT1018, same engine, same age. Clearly something in the electrical system is not functioning properly but it has been hard to determine what and it's out of warranty. I will let you know if I find an answer

John
May 2008

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