MTFCA Forum

I'd like to pulse the community to see how people are lifting their battery out of the carrier with or without a box. A group 1 battery mostly fills the box or even the carrier without the box. The original wooden case had metal handles. Some modern batteries come with a built in plastic handle and some don't. For those who have batteries that don't, what is your chosen method to get it up and out? I could see where a terminal carrier could lift it out, but general consensus is that you should not lift a battery by the terminals. There are some lifting/carrying tools on the market that grab opposing sides of the battery, but I'm not sure they'd fit down in the recess and clear the turtledeck or whatever the body style. I could also see maybe laying a strap under the battery prior to installation so that you later have something to lift it out with. I'm just curious what works for others.

I use a post strap, never had a problem.

On a junk battery I sometimes use a 11/16" wrench over one post. I have had a post come out that way with a bigger battery.

Or shop for one with a built in strap.

I had an old batt. lifting strap. I have since gifted it to a friend. My batt. has it's own built in handle.
I haven't seen a strap in years at the auto parts places. If you are running 6volts you really need one.
They can be ordered online these days.

Under the Batt. Steve ?? Battery sitting on top of the strap ?? Maybe we need a pic to 'splain

Lifting batteries out of a Touring or Roadster is one thing. Lifting one out of a Coupe is another.
The Coupes you have to lift up and over. The roadsters and Tourings you lift up.
Either way I use a post strap. I have two of them. And come to think of it I haven’t seen one in a long time at the auto parts store. I guess you can still get them.

Good thoughts. Keep 'em coming. As an FYI, everyone is correct that terminal straps can still be bought but aren't typically carried in stores anymore. I've used one many times without known problems, but as a general rule they are frowned upon due to risk of internal damage to the cells (or of course dropping it, but that would be user error IMHO).

Post strap - been using them for over 40 years !

The Arthritis in my back makes it nearly impossible to lift the battery from my 27 Roadster !

I think there may have been a time when I could just lean over, grip the battery and lift it out. Those days are long gone. A few years ago, I bought a tool similar to this at a parts store and found I had to do some bending to get it to work in my Touring.

Post strap. No other way is better.

Last battery purchased at TSC, the counter gal was amazed I hauled in the old core with my strap!

Young folks have lots to learn

As for being frowned on for pulling terminals, nonsense.

Maybe with ancient ‘tar-top’, but IF ever happened with modern 6 volt, then that battery was bad, handled careless, or is trash anyway.

Safe, sure, correct way with ease of in and outs

I use this device that I bought at a yard sale for $1.00, but I like Steve's idea of using a strap under the battery as well.

that gray stuff will work ,just warp the bat a couple of times.ha,ha. charley

I also use a post strap. Same one for 45 years.

I have a battery post strap too. I use it when my auto electrician son is not looking, or else I am in deep trouble. However, I found a way to comply with his dictum. I use two loops of that hard, flat packaging strapping around the battery, tied at the top. It stays in place while the battery is fitted, and is hauled on when it needs to be lifted out. It is thin so causes no setting problems under the battery, it is strong, it is flexible enough to never get in the way of the battery box lid or floor boards, it is non-conductive and really cheap!

Allan from down under.

Not surprising that "post straps" are no longer found in auto parts stores as most cars nowadays are equipped with batteries with side terminals. I've used a "post strap" since I was a kid in the '50's and have never had a problem. I have two of them and as I'm only a couple years from my '80's, I depend on them more and more!

Yep, all I have ever used for about 60 years was a post strap, never had a problem and never heard of anyone else having any problems. Good thing nobody told all of those old guys back then that those straps won't work. If you have to pull so hard that a post is pulled loose, I'd bet that you forgot to unhook the hold down clamp, or else the post was junk to start with. If a battery post comes loose just by lifting it with a strap, that battery was most likely junk anyway. A lot of battery posts are knocked loose by banging on the clamps when trying to install them without spreading them first. Just use common sense. JMHO Dave

I do what Steve mentioned...and simply place some sort of strap under the battery when I install it. It just stays there and is available when the battery needs to come out.

On all of my old cars (not just my T), I remove the battery about once a year to inspect and clean the battery and battery tray.

I have not had a problem using a post strap. However, if you have two people to help, you can get under and push up while another person lifts from the top. The touring is easy. I think a fordoor would be easy too, and a coupe or roadster would be hardest. I have one roadster which has been converted to a rumble seat, and that one is hard to reach, even hard to put a charger on, because the lid raises toward the rear and need to go in head first to reach the battery.
Norm

When I had a '27 roadster, I put one of my kids in the trunk to guide it while I pushed up from the bottom.

I have a 24 Coupe and I am 6’3” tall. I can barely remove and install the battery using a post strap. I can lean over and stretch to do it and can’t imagine being any shorter and being able to do it without some sort of step or ladder to get to it.
The post strap I have has been here on the farm since I was a kid and that’s been over 50 years.

Norm, there is no need to go directly to the battery to put it on a charger. My son put a small tab under the screw at the firewall terminal block where the power wire from the battery is fixed. The charger positive lead goes to that, and the negative to a head bolt. Easy as you like.

Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

I'm still using a post strap that my dad had before I was born!

When installing the battery I make a make 2 intersecting loops (one from each direction) out of 3/8" nylon rope. Easy to lift in and out.

Just wanted to follow up with a thanks for the comments. I like post straps, too, and also agree that they last for generations if cared for. I've not had one fail or slip. Nevertheless, battery manufacturers say not to use them, and I don't blame those who are placing a strap(s) under the battery prior to install.

DLodge - That looks like a brick tong!

Like most old timers here, I have used a battery post strap to lift my battery out of the battery bay of my ‘26 coupe for 50 years. You can do a keyword search on eBay: “battery post strap carrier” and will find a dozen of them for sale right now. Jim Patrick

I don't fit in trunk of my 26 roadster but my girl friend can but she cant lift it. she can disconnect and connect the terminals and install the carrier. I then use a long 2x2 as a lever on trunk edge to raise and remove battery. a nail in end of lever keeps carrier from coming off.

You need to be careful when buying a battery post strap for a 6-volt battery. Some have fittings that are too small for the positive post. Don't ask how I know.

Here is how I installed the Battery in my ‘26 Rosdster after my back surgery. Made my own lift strap. Put my extension arm on the engine lift to reach far enough. Worked for me. Pls disregard food pic

Here is how I installed the Battery in my ‘26 Rosdster after my back surgery. Made my own lift strap. Put my extension arm on the engine lift to reach far enough. Worked for me. Pls disregard food pic

Is that a 2 ton hoist Joe ?
That's the biggest ya got ??

I'm with Joe S. The older I get the more I use my portable engine hoist for lifting things. Besides getting older and less capable, I don't seem to have so many able friends in the neighborhood who can come over to help lift things. Most of them are either less capable than me or pushing up dasies somewhere.

My wife and I even removed/replaced the rear seats from her minivan using the engine hoist. Worked great !

Dick

I didn't read all of the posts in this thread, but on top-post batteries I have used two pairs of vice grips on the posts ever since I loaned my post strap to someone - I don't remember who - and never got it back. That was about 40 years ago; I'm guessing that he isn't going to return it.

FYI:
I purchased a post strap at my local AutoZone yesterday. $6.99

It will be well worth it.

Thank you,
Greg

I clamp a vise grip on each post so I have something to grab on to.

I commented on this forum that I have used a post strap for many years, however in reading all the additional comments, it occurred to me that this would be a great way to "re-purpose" wrecking yard seat belt webbing, or for that matter, any source of old nylon webbing. When installing a battery, just lay about a 3' length of old nylon webbing across the battery box or whatever, before dropping the battery in place! Then when you need to remove the battery from the car in the future, just use John Aldrichs' "vice grips" to temporarily lock the two free ends of the nylon webbing together for removing & carrying the battery,....easier on the battery posts John .....harold