On Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:57:09 -0230, clouddreamer
wrote:

I have had a JD ride on mower for a year now (LA165 I believe) and find
that every time I go to start it, the battery is dead or nearly dead.
Surely, this is not normal. Any idea what the problem could be?

TIA!

A mower/tractor battery was short lived for me. Using jumper cables
from the truck it would start.

Once it is started and running, remove the positive cable from the
battery post. If it continues to run, the alternator should be okay.

If it has head lights will they light without running the engine? If
not I suspect the battery needs replaced. YMMV.