Tractors X60 Series. Manual - part 57

Electrical system

227

8

Section 8

 Electrical system

Electrical system

228

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Battery

With a maintenance free battery, it is normally not neces-
sary to frequently check the electrolyte and charge levels.
It is advisable, however, to periodically check the level of
battery acid and to add distilled water if required.
If you need to top up too often, have the battery charging
system checked.
Check the level of the electrolyte in each element. If top-
ping up is required, proceed as follows, with the engine
stopped,  the  battery  at  rest  and  cold,  and  the  tractor
parked on level ground.

1 - Disconnect the terminals (1) and remove the guard

(2).

2 - Remove the plugs and check the liquid level.
3 - Slowly pour in the distilled water, until the top edge

of the plates is completely covered.

4 - Fit the plugs back and close the battery compartment.

WARNING: Do not use acid to top up the bat-
tery. The electrolyte will boil over. Use only 
deionised distilled water and top up to a level 
of 5/6 mm over the battery cells.

Check the charge condition with a voltmeter. Do not use
quick battery chargers to recharge the batteries.

NOTE: if the battery must be topped up frequently or tends 
to  discharge,  have  the  electrical  system  of  your  tractor 
checked by your area Dealer’s specialised personnel.

WARNING: Remember to disconnect the wires 
before you recharge the battery. It is advisable 
to remove the battery from its housing and to 
recharge it well away from the tractor.

WARNING:The  place  in  which  the  battery  is 
recharged  must  be  well  ventilated.  Do  not 
smoke or produce sparks whilst the battery 
is being recharged.

WARNING:

Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories 

contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals 

known to the State of California to cause cancer 

and reproductive harm. Wash your hands after 

handling these parts.

Side battery.
1- Terminal; 2 - Guard.
(X60.50: two batteries).

NOTE: See the Maintenance section of this manual for a 
description of the use of the master disconnect switch.

CAUTION:  Dispose  correctly  of  batteries,  piles  and 
accumulators to places and containers provided for 
separate waste collection according to local rules. DO 
NOT dispose of them in the environment.

WARNING: Always use specific personal safety devices 
for each operation. 

Electrical system

229

8

Recommendations

The  following  rules  must  be  respected  to  preserve  an

efficient battery:

-  Keep the battery clean and dry, particularly on top.
-  If the battery acid must be topped up, use distilled water

only,

- Make sure that the cable terminal nuts are well fixed to

the battery terminals.

-  Always  use  a  wrench  and  not  pliers  to  tighten  and

loosen the terminal nuts.

- Smear  terminals  with  petroleum  jelly  (not  grease)  to

protect them from oxidation.

- Never let the battery run completely down. If possible,

recharge monthly.

WARNING:  Battery  electrolyte  contains  sul-
furic  acid  and  can  cause  serious  burns. 
The  following  good  practices  are  therefore 
recommended.
- Wear leather heavy-duty gloves and protec-
tive clothes. In case of contact with the skin, 
wash with plenty of water.
- Batteries release flammable gases that can 
cause an explosion.
-  DO  NOT  go  near  the  battery  with  naked 
flames or cigarettes.
- In case of contact with the eyes, first flush 
with water, then seek medical help.
-  Keep  batteries  well  out  of  children’s  re-
ach.
- It contains lead: NEVER dispose of batteries 
in general waste.
- Deliver and dispose of exhausted batteries 
only in suitable containers provided to this 
purpose at authorized centres, according to 
local rules.

WARNING: Always use specific personal safety devices 
for each operation. 

Removal and installation of batter-

ies

OPERATION 1

Remove the retainer from the battery cover, then the cover.

NOTE: In a few models, the tool box (3) and relative sup-
port must be removed for this operation.

OPERATION 2

To remove the battery, disconnect the battery cables (1)
and  remove  the  battery.  When  the  battery  is  installed,
make sure the cables are connected to the correct ter-
minals. The electrical system is 12 volt, negative ground.

Install the cover back on. Remount the tool box and its
bracket, if they were been removed.

IMPORTANT:  Always  disconnect  the  ground  cable  first 
and connect the ground cable last to prevent sparks. Do 
not start or operate the engine with the electrical system 
not completely connected. 

NOTE: The batteries can be disconnected without affect-
ing any programmed or stored information in the digital 
instrument cluster. When the batteries are connected again 
the instrument cluster will remember and use all stored 
information such as tyre size code number, etc.

WARNING: Battery explosion and/or damage 
to  electrical  components  can  result  from 
improper connection of booster batteries or 
charger.    Connect  positive  to  positive  and 
negative to negative. Externally, battery acid 
can cause burns and blindness, and taken 
internally is poison. 

Electrical system

230

When batteries are not in use

When the tractor is not being used for a long time, the
batteries should be recharged every six weeks to keep
them  charged.  Storage  batteries  not  in  use  will  slowly
discharge.  A  battery  that  has  discharged  can  freeze  at
low  ambient  temperatures  and  cause  damage  to  the
battery and tractor.

NOTE:  Discarding  old  batteries  can  cause  an  environ-
mental liability. Check with your local environmental or 
recycling  center  or  your  dealer  for  the  correct  disposal 
information.

Follow  these  general  rules  to  prevent  damage  to  the
electrical system.
-  Before working on the electrical system, disconnect the

battery cables, ground cable first, or

 turn off the master switch (if equipped) and remove the

key.

-  Do not make a reverse battery connection.
-  When you use a booster battery for starting, connect

negative (-) to negative (-) and positive (+) to positive
(+). Use the booster battery connections provided on
the tractor (if equipped).

 See Booster Battery Connections in this manual.
-  When charging the tractor batteries, use the auxiliary

battery connections on the tractor (if equipped). Do not
attach directly to the battery terminals. Do not use a
battery charging machine for starting the

 tractor.
-  Never try to start the tractor when the battery cables

are disconnected.

-  When you carry out maintenance on the engine, cover

the alternator to prevent foreign material from entering.

-  If  electric  welding  is  necessary,  do  the  following  to

protect the electrical components:

 A. Disconnect the battery(s) or turn off the master switch

(if equipped).

B. Disconnect the instrument cluster harness.

 C. Disconnect the Powershift controller (if equipped).

 D. Disconnect the alternator.

E. Disconnect all ECUs and in particular the engine EDC

unit.

 Put the welding equipment ground cable as close as

you can to the weld area.

 Do  not  put  the  ground  cable  where  the  current  can

flow through bearings or along channels with wiring
harnesses.

Battery system servicing

WARNING: Always use specific personal safety devices 
for each operation.