How long did your original battery lasted?

luc · Sep 16, 2010

I have a 1998 Grand L2900 that I bought new and my original battery is still going strong.
The first 8 years the tractor was kept outside under a awning with a solar battery charger connected to it.
The last 4 years the tractor has been inside my garage with a cheap Harborfreight ($5) float charger Automatic Battery Float Charger plugged to it.
I check the electrolyte level once a year.
Will the battery outlast me

?

Von · Sep 16, 2010

I just replaced the battery in my 99' B2710 just this spring. Added some water to it a few times, but that was it. Hope the new one last half as long! I just ungraded my alternator to the 40A one to run all the new lights, wipers and heater in the Curtis cab I just put on the tractor.

Ken45101 · Sep 17, 2010

Von said:
I just replaced the battery in my 99' B2710 just this spring.

My B2710 battery only lasted 9 years. OTOH, my '99 M4700 battery lasted less than a year (the dealer put something cheap in it). I put in a good diesel battery and it lasted until I sold it two years ago.

Ken

Ductape · Sep 17, 2010

My original battery only lasted 5 years...... no complaints though.

AceDeuce · Sep 17, 2010

Mine died [of course] during one of the big snowstorms last winter. It lasted 6 years, ~425 hours.

Storm56 · Sep 17, 2010

I generally get 5-6 years from OEM batteries, some have gone a bit longer but I usually replace them before they leave me sit.

rdsaustintx · Sep 17, 2010

I am pressing my luck, but my BX battery is 6 years old (800 hours) and going strong.

k0ua · Sep 17, 2010

Original battery in my 2002 B7500.. still started perfectly, not a hint of trouble when I traded it off in june of 2010. It never saw a charger of any kind.
Some batteries just last longer than others. I suppose over/undercharging, and rough vibration service could be a factor. Of course if you run a battery down, (starting type) it will never be as good as it once was.
James K0UA

Tom_H · Sep 17, 2010

The life span of lead acid batteries is affected by the temperature in your climate. Heat makes acid (in this case Sulfuric Acid) react faster. The hotter the temperature, the faster the acid eats up the lead. It gets up to 115F here. We go long stretches of 110F for several weeks some summers. Thank goodness we had a milder summer here this year. In the 20+ years I've lived here, I've never had a car or tractor battery last more than 3 years.