Machinery Photo/Discussion Thread II

whelan2 · 02-01-2026 03:28PM

I charged the battery last week. It's going for about 2 hours each morning and then normally not used until the next day

selectamatic · 02-01-2026 03:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124110915#Comment_124110915

2 hours should be plenty to keep it sound.

Just use the isolator switch each day after you get motoring this time for now. If that doesn't work out it's back to the drawing board then.

Hopefully the isolator switch is handy-ish to get to.

whelan2 · 02-01-2026 03:47PM

Ye, I take the grid off the front and it's there

Nekarsulm · 02-01-2026 04:05PM

I bought a CTEK probably 6 or 7 years ago.

Model MSX 10.

It's only the size of a lb of butter, but has been very good, no problem charging up the biggest tractor battery overnight.

02-01-2026 06:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124110956#Comment_124110956

Battery could be ok.

Use the isolator religiously.

Cold weather is coming.

This tests batterys on its own.

If the digger keeps starting for the next week or 2 when using the isolator, battery is fine.

Did you get the alternater checked?

With a multimeter it should be between 13.8v and 14.5 v.

Radios a lot of tge time are tge cause of paracytic drains

cjpm · 03-01-2026 01:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124110915#Comment_124110915

Are you using the heater when starting it these mornings?

You could get a voltmeter and check the voltage. After running for a spell it should be around 14v. The following morning if you check before starting it should be over 12.5v minimum. If it goes down gradually it would suggest it’s not charging properly each day and battery is slowly draining

whelan2 · 03-01-2026 10:38AM

Switched cut off switch, got into digger , heated it and no go. Turning but not starting. Put power pack on it but pack went flat. Charging power pack now and will try again. Pain in my hole with it at this stage, just want to go out in morning and it'll start

Jb1989 · 03-01-2026 10:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124112783#Comment_124112783

Lazy starter or diesel getting away from pump and slowing starting up till battery drained.

50HX · 03-01-2026 10:48AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124112783#Comment_124112783

Thats a dose

I had the same issue til I fitted a high speed starter on...night & day the difference esp on mornings like these

ginger22 · 03-01-2026 11:44AM

Put non return valve on fuel line from tank and fit high speed starter. We would have them for all machines.

K.G. · 03-01-2026 12:17PM

Check the earth

whelan2 · 03-01-2026 12:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124113077#Comment_124113077

How do i do that?

K.G. · 03-01-2026 01:58PM

First get someone to turn her over and put you hand on the connections and wires along the main wire to frame while shes turning checking for warmth or hot.then maybe give the connection s a squeeze or clean if they are dirty

straight · 03-01-2026 02:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124113102#Comment_124113102

High speed starter is some job. Ginger is your man. A tractor broke our heart here for years. New battery every year and still wouldn't start. Often felt like burning the fecking thing. Got high speed starter and don't even use the heater now.

whelan2 · 03-01-2026 02:17PM

They dont put high speed starters on them apparently. Getting a neighbour to feed for me. Not a battery problem. Tractor run on here locally Mechanic brought new battery. But he has to go to the run. It was the same. Left jump leads on it on tm125 for 45 min, still the same. He crossed the starter and it was better but didn't start

K.G. · 03-01-2026 02:35PM

Google checking for battery drain and if you a multimeter it's straight forward enough

whelan2 · 03-01-2026 03:02PM

He put the neutral lead on the battery termunal it sparked when cut off switch was on and didnt spark when cut off switch was off

divillybit · 03-01-2026 03:13PM

What type of digger is it? Isolator switches would need an odd shot of wd40 to keep them lubricated. Keep an 10mm spanner in the digger and disconnect the negative lead from the battery if theres a parasitic drain on battery. Maybe meter the battery when the digger is running. Probably should be getting near 14 volts when the digger is running to ensure the batteries are being charged.

whelan2 · 03-01-2026 03:16PM

Jcb 3cx eco

hopeso · 03-01-2026 03:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124113389#Comment_124113389

I'm assuming it's a Perkins engine, so there'll be a high speed starter to fit it alright. Probably won't be the most pleasant job to fit it though…………….

divillybit · 03-01-2026 03:24PM

Wouldn’t be familiar with them at all but if its hard started and the batteries are OK you're looking at other issues too..but cold mornings will test any battery. Maybe testing the glow plug etc to be sure its getting power etc and is working. It could be a perkins engine in that so probably needs heating. We've an old Hitachi with an Isuzu engine and it starts fierce easy with no heating.

whelan2 · 03-01-2026 03:31PM

Just Having a **** day, it's oh birthday today too.

Ten Pin · 03-01-2026 03:59PM

The earth connection from battery to chassis might need surface corrosion cleaned off. The meeting surfaces (cable lug, bolt, nuts and washers) where the earth lead from battery is connected to chassis need to be as clean as if polished, especially in winter.

Jb1989 · 03-01-2026 04:41PM

Any kind of decent mechanic know the 6 or 7 different problems to check. Should be no issues.

whelan2 · 03-01-2026 05:01PM

In fairness to him he came up when he hadn't time. We've fed now until Monday and he'll be here first thing Monday morning

ginger22 · 03-01-2026 06:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124113552#Comment_124113552

There are high speed starters for every machine you can imagine and we have all of them. If you PM I can sort you out.

divillybit · 03-01-2026 09:31PM

Not trying to doubt ye but i dunno would I be taking off a starter if its working OK, high speed or not, well not unless the armature has stopped working. Must be something else. Ensure the battery and alternator are working ok. Then ensure fuel filters are ok, and if theres a pre filter water seperator ensure any water is drained. Is there diesel getting to all the injectors. Maybe the engine itself is well worn, is the compression good etc.

whelan2 · 03-01-2026 09:34PM

Diesel is fine, there's a big hill oit of our yard to go to outfarm and that tests the diesel, tank was taken off during the summer and cleaned out. Fully serviced in September

whelan2 · 03-01-2026 09:46PM

Am,just after thinking would it be the anti theft system

Reggie. · 05-01-2026 05:16PM

New boots on bettsy. She's a wide ass on her now

Machinery Photo/Discussion Thread II

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