Anyone else with super long lived Deere battery? Mines14 years and counting...

[pgtr]

...knock on wood! My 1998 LX255 still has the original OEM deere battery and it still starts up just fine. Each spring I go out to use it thinking 'this is it, it's gonna be dead' but nope! Made it through another season.

Do others experience such long lived battery life with their OE Deere batteries?

If so - what makes their batteries so special ( and perhaps I should consider them for my truck etc.)

[Retired Iron Peddler]

...knock on wood! My 1998 LX255 still has the original OEM deere battery and it still starts up just fine. Each spring I go out to use it thinking 'this is it, it's gonna be dead' but nope! Made it through another season.

Do others experience such long lived battery life with their OE Deere batteries?

If so - what makes their batteries so special ( and perhaps I should consider them for my truck etc.)

I replaced the original JD battery in my 13 year old JD 345 after about 5 years because I was tired of cleaning up the electrolyte that continued to seep from around the top of the battery and damage the paint in and around the battery tray. I replaced it with a Wal-Mart battery made by Johnson Controls (JCI) and it hasn't seeped any electrolyte and is has been continuing to start the engine for the past 7 or 8 years.

I noticed the battery in my new JD655 is also seeping electrolyte from around the top of the battery. If this continues, I'll replace it with another Wal-Mart battery if it's made by Johnson Controls. The electrolyte seeping from the top of the battery is similar to past experiences I've had with Exide manufactured batteries. I presume JD labeled batteries are made by Exide.

Bill

[jenkinsph]

I find that lots of members keep their batteries on a trickle charger all year long and get more use out of them. It would be interesting to see how well these would work if left to stand alone for a month and see if they still hold a good charge.

[pgtr]

I find that lots of members keep their batteries on a trickle charger all year long and get more use out of them. It would be interesting to see how well these would work if left to stand alone for a month and see if they still hold a good charge.

I've never charged my particular battery in 14 years, going on 15 years, trickle or otherwise.Always careful to turn the key off so the hour meter doesn't run. I installed felt washers when new and put new ones in a couple years ago (a small bit of corrosion started on 1 terminal) and I sprayed each terminal w/ that red battery paint long ago. During droughts I can go months without starting it and I only occasionally use the mower in the winter - so it has sat for months between uses over the years. The battery has endured a lot of vibration and triple digit heat over it's 14 years - fairly typical for yard tractors I would think.

[Red Horse]

Not a "can you beat this" story but maybe a "machines have feelings" story. Bought a new 3320 in 05. In the barn since new and plenty of cold weather starts. Sold it a few months ago and the day after I delivered it, the guy I sold it to calls me- "won't start". I have to believe his kids left lights on or something like that but who knows-he replaced the battery!