John Deere 1025R Battery Replacement Step by Step

[@frankrocha5335]

Excellent video. Thought I was just doing something wrong, but you confirmed that I need to remove the headlights to remove the battery. Thanks!

[@TractorHoarders]

Thank you! Seems like a silly design to me. Despite that, this tractor is the most useful thing I’ve ever bought.

[@jonesrick1]

Thank for this! First video about this topic that made any sense to me. Good work.

[@TractorHoarders]

Thank you! I’m glad you found it useful!

[@curtisstavedahl1943]

Thanks for this. I'd like to give the engineer who designed this an ear full. It wouldn't have hurt them to give us 2 more inches. But nope.

[@evidencesuggests1697]

Unfortunately I watched it after I did it, and learned the hard way! Them headlight screws had me 😡 mad! Good video!

[@TractorHoarders]

I rate it as "not difficult, but definitely annoying" haha. Thank you.

[@richardpugh8201]

Very well presented! I was approaching the long headlight bolts were and you set me straight! Thanks!

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks sir! Glad it was of help!

[@Iamchriskidwell]

Another great video! Can't wait to see some snow being pushed!

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks buddy! It's been a little bit. Trying to figure out how to make videos again lol.

[@Iamchriskidwell]

@@TractorHoarders looking good!

[@StumpkillerCP]

I found a set of E4 to E8 sockets for $6. Makes it a simple job to have the right socket. Thanks. PS - when I trailered boats that used filament lightbulbs in the trailers I found dielectric paste works great to prevent corrosion on contacts & connectors. Works on battery terminals, too.

[@paule7837]

Thanks for the video and the links you added!

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks for watching! Glad it helped!

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

Great video Hans. Great tips. You really would need to but a battery with some sort of top handle to get the battery in or out. Tight quarters there. Finished up the service on my John Deere 140 H3 and snow thrower today. Snow could happen here any time. Have a great week Hans 👍🏻👋🚜

[@TractorHoarders]

Have you got a chance to use the snow gang yet? If not, I’m sure it’ll be soon enough. I like all of your tractors.

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

@@TractorHoarders Been out once with the John Deere 140 H3. That’s enough for this winter. 😳😳😳🤭🤭

[@brianpeterein2267]

Thanks for the useful information!

[@TractorHoarders]

My pleasure, thank you for watching!

[@Stu2366593]

Newbie question - I have a used (2016) 1023E and am removing the battery for storage this winter. My question is: did you install the battery vent tube you noted at the start of the video? It isn't obvious when looking at the manual how to do this. Fortunately, my model just has nuts to hold the headlights in place. Thanks in advance for your answer and I learnt lots watching your video! Stu.

[@TractorHoarders]

Hi Stu, I did not install the vent tube as referenced. Mine was missing. It looked to me like on the original John Deere Strongbox battery you could simply connect a rubber or plastic hose to it of the appropriate diameter and use that. On my new battery, I didn’t see a spot to connect a vent hose. Best of luck! These are great machines. Enjoy yours!

[@narcoosseefl]

Thank you for this!

[@TractorHoarders]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andrebeaule9457]

Hello to you. I watched your video and you really take the time to explain things. I am also a 1025R owner. I have a small question, that does not relate to your video, but something caught my eye. I see that your idle RPM seems to be lower then John Deere recommended RPM. JD recommends 1500 RPM. Your seem to be around 1250 RPM. Did you lower your RPM? If so, what is the reason for this? Thanks a head for the answer.

[@TractorHoarders]

Hi Andre! Thanks for the kind comment. Good observation. You’re right and I have another video on my channel showing how to adjust the idle speed. Sometimes I like to let mine idle lower, like when it’s just sitting and doing nothing. When operating it, I would always be at 1500 rpm’s or greater. Typically when I idle it low is when maybe I am talking to someone. I do a lot of snow removal (see my other 1025r videos) and sometimes people come out to talk to me and I need less noise to hear.

[@jeffg813]

I ordered the exact same female star/torx socket set. My battery still works good, but just in case I ever need one of those sockets 😅

[@TractorHoarders]

It’ll come in handy someday! Ever since I bought my set, I’ve actually worked on a few things that needed it, so they’ve been useful more than once.

[@markschmaus5580]

Thanks for the info !

[@TractorHoarders]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DuaneBurgess-c1e]

Thank you

[@Jason1Pa]

Wow they tucked that down in there for you!! I don't have one these but found the video quality good so i had to keep watching 😂 If i can read the date on the battery it only lasted 4 years?? Hope you have better luck with this one! Oh and I think you wanted to say VINEGAR and baking soda. Not water. Good to see a video from you happy snow removal!

[@TractorHoarders]

Hi Jason! Yes, I hate when I mis-speak and then don’t catch it. Definitely vinegar and baking soda! Oooops. Glad the video kept you watching! Any good projects going on for you?

[@Jason1Pa]

@@TractorHoarders Sadly no,but hopefully soon that will change.

[@StumpkillerCP]

Doesn’t the vinegar neutralize the baking soda? (hint: say “yes”.) You were on the first time with a baking soda paste to neutralize the battery acid.

[@TractorHoarders]

@@StumpkillerCP yep! Don’t always catch these things during editing. 😐

[@DS-kc7iz]

Nice video!

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks - I hope it helps some people out!

[@randallgreene6428]

Also what kind of tools you use

[@trcass1]

great video showing what needs to be done because of a poor design.....thanks for sharing.

[@TractorHoarders]

I’d have to agree on that design… certainly could have been better. Thanks for watching!

[@russconklin3414]

I have the 2016 1025R and it does not have that Mickey Mouse hood release, the battery comes out just as you show, but you don't have to hold your tongue just right to get it out.

[@randallgreene6428]

How do you take the the battery connectors off?

[@Norm2120]

Good vid helped me out a lot , what a stupid freaking design. Damn engineers

[@janveit2226]

I have 1023E tractor. I am only an amateur user, so my opinion on the tractor does not have much weight (I am happy with tractor), however battery removal difficulty is really surprising. How this could get ever approved during the design review?

[@TractorHoarders]

I agree, it was an interesting design choice. It’s not too horrible, but it also could have been a lot easier.

[@machonsote918]

I'm having a hard time trying to get the battery out and started taking out the hex nuts but said "I can get the hex nuts out but what about this screw sticking out?" Thanks for the video......I need to get those sockets.

[@TractorHoarders]

Once you have the sockets, it’s super easy. I’ve never had a need for those until this particular job and the after that I’ve come across a need for them for a few other non tractor projects. Hope yours goes smooth!

[@machonsote918]

@@TractorHoarders : Got the sockets and replaced the battery but still won't start. Goes through the same sequence you showed at the beginning of the video but the engine just won't crank. I've got it in neutral and everything. I even bought a new ignition switch. I may just have to pay the $400 for the John Deere guy to come look at it.

[@TractorHoarders]

@@machonsote918 it’s got to be a poor connection… make sure the ends of your battery cables are clean with no corrosion and you could also trace the ground cable to the frame and make sure that connection is clean too.

[@machonsote918]

@@TractorHoarders : I bought a "battery load tester" which, not only checks for 12 volts, but also tells you if the battery can handle a load because it has a switch you can toggle. I installed the brand new battery and used the tester by clamping onto the cables away from the battery terminals (to ensure I'm not testing the battery posts) and it says the cables are good. Maybe, tomorrow, I'll try clamping the red (+) on the tester to the red cable (+) and the black cable (-) to the frame of the tractor.

[@machonsote918]

Ended up having to pay for the shop to figure it out. You were right.....turns out they had to replace the battery cables. When I used the load tester and clamped the black cable to the frame of the tractor, the load tester said "Bad"........I thought it was probably not the right thing to do. Now that the tractor is back and running, the load tester says it's "Good" when doing the same test (clamping the black lead to the frame of the tractor). Live and Learn.........good way to see if the battery cables need replaced.

[@EdukasZ]

I can't figure out how to start now I understand, remove the light lamp to remove.... easy way. Thanks for tip.

[@TractorHoarders]

I’m glad it helped!

[@toddpillars3214]

You would think it would be easier to get a battery out of a tractor, but thanks for the video.

[@TractorHoarders]

I agree with you. It was surprisingly difficult.

[@steveashcraft718]

Always connect positive battery cable First!

[@TractorHoarders]

Good tip.

[@barnycanuck6234]

Quality and durability have never been an issue with John Deere but they seem to be struggling with design and ease of serviceability of certain aspects of their garden and utility machines to some extent.

[@TractorHoarders]

I agree some of the serviceability isn’t so easy. I like working on my old tractors because they are fairly easy. New tractors and automobiles, I don’t really care for.

[@KennyKizzleRustyNutzRanch]

Seems like I am fighting with batteries every year on all my tractors. Ha ha. Another reason I run magnetos - don't need the battery. BUT, I don't think hand cranking your 1025R is an option (LOL)!

[@TractorHoarders]

You and me both man! It feels like an accomplishment when everything has a working battery! Lol

I love my 1025 r tractor however, dumbest set up ever!!!!! great video though

[@TractorHoarders]

Agreed! haha. Thank you.