6 volt battery maintenance in winter

My "working" tractors don't get any special treatment really. The batteries stay in place and are expected to start the tractors during cold weather if needed. I have been in the habit of removing the batteries from my lawn and garden equipment in the fall, and storing them in the basement where it is warm. But all of the above are 12 volt.

The "antiques" with 6 volt batteries will probably not run again until spring. I don't like the idea of leaving the batteries to sit until then. So, do I leave the batteries in the tractors with a maintainer for the winter, or remove them and store them in the basement? I am a bit nervous about having all of that lead and acid in the basement, but I am not keen on buying new batteries every couple of years.

The thing with all Batteries in the Winter months is freezing. Freezing can destroy a Battery. A Battery case can also crack depending on how cold it gets and do damage to whatever it's in with acid leaking out. I always tell our customer's to bring their 6V or 12V Batteries in where its warmer, and occasionally connect a Battery Tender to them (depending on how many you have)  With only three cells, its pretty easy for a 6 volter to freeze especially if you haven't been using distilled water in them. If you don't use your Tractor's in the Winter, I would suggest bringing the Batteries  into where its warmer and they're out of the wind chill. Some folks may use their Tractors in the Winter especially if its equipped with a loader for removing snow. In that case, I would leave the Battery in the Tractor, (depending on the area you live in for temps) and put the charger on the Battery every couple weeks putting a slow charge into it to keep it topped off and "active". Keep in mind, when the temps drop below 32 degrees, you start to loose some of your amperage. (CCA's) Add to it an engine that has motor oil in it equivilent to roofing tar due to the low temps and you have a possible no start or a slooooow cranking engine. Winters are a good test for Starter Motors... LOL!     HTH

Steve@B&B

With regard to chargers, I find that 6 volt can be the problem. I have a nice, fairly expensive charger, but unfortunately, it only works on 12 volt. Putting two 6 volt batteries in series is the only option with that charger. I also have an old charger similar to ac45dave's Schauer unit that will do 6 or 12 volt. I also have a Black and Decker BM3BCA maintainer that is one of the only dual voltage maintainers that I could find. I think I will take steve(ill)'s advice and just leave the batteries in the tractors and move the maintainer around occasionally.