Stock battery is dragging after only 11 years

[Beaux Duke]

Hopped on my L48 this morning and it failed to start. It was pretty cool overnight and I jinxed myself bad letting the thought run through my mind that my battery was about my age now (in battery years). It started the tractor after a quick charge was done but I could hear that "the thrill was gone" when it turned the starter.

So it's time to make a decision. I've read some of the battery threads here and I've owned a red top Optima that I purchased in 2005 for my '01 2500HD and replaced in 2014 just as a precaution. I still have it and use it on my 26 gallon sprayer. It will empty the contents of the sprayer at least 3 times with no perceptible loss of power.

However I am surprised that the stock Kubota battery provided a long service life so I'm willing to consider a stock replacement. A WalMart battery will not be considered. Those batteries and their failures in my personal vehicles are what convinced me to try Optima.

I know stock will fit but I've seen issues when installing some Optima's due to the shape of the case. Anyone aware of any installation gotcha's I should be aware of if I should go the Optima route? I'd prefer to use the stock mounting hardware if possible.

 

[TomSeller]

I use the yellow top Optimas. The only problem I have had is the terminals were on the opposite side once making it so I had to cut some tie wraps to get the cables where they needed to be. I think I also had to use a ratchet starp to hold one in place since the factory mount did not fit.

I use the largest battery that will ft in the available space and adapt if need be (don't forget to keep enough clearance at the posts)

 

[SARG]

With twelve machines that take batteries... I'll keep buying the Wallyworld Everstarts and plan on replacements. I finally bought a battery tester and the first instance of trouble & they test as weak .... they're gone as a core charge.

 

[dstig1]

I'm going to say you are overthinking this. Batteries die more due to age and temperatures than from use. Both heat and cold kill them, plus time. You live in serious heat. My rule of thumb is 5-6 years and I replace it as a PM, unless it dies sooner of course. 11 years is crazy long for a battery to hold out. Consider yourself very lucky, and just replace it with whatever is reasonable. There seem to be a subset of battery companies that think they make magic and charge like the plates are made from unicorn horns. Just get a normal decent battery and replace it in 5-6 yrs. You will be money ahead of the "special" batteries and you will likely never run into a dead battery situation unless you leave the lights on or something. I think you are darn lucky to see even one battery make it 11 yrs, much less 2.

 

[ultrarunner]

My OEM Kubota battery in the BX23 is amazing... never had a battery last so long ever.

I keep the BX inside and frost would be a rare occurrence in the SF Bay Area.

I would buy another one in a heartbeat if I knew it was the same...

Mom had 12 years from OEM AC Delco in her Corolla... the new AC Delco is a much different battery and not made in the USA... also no Green Eye... ;-(

 

[wngsprd]

My Kubota original battery lasted 11 years, too. I replaced it last winter with an Interstate from Costco, due to finding the perfect size, reverse terminals, and good price/return policy. I looked at the Kubota batteries, but did not find one similar to my original, and since they were about $30 or 40 more, went with the Interstate, a 24F, I think. All good so far.

 

[Bigkrank]

I have had 17 red Optima batteries and 4 yellow. Replaced first red one at 9 years and another red at that age. Sold some of the equipment they were in since but had good luck. Only ever have replaced those two. Have one in my large diesel backhoe that is undersized and at 11 years old still works fine.

That said not sure I would buy another since they moved production to Mexico and are getting a lot of bad reviews. Worst battery I ever bought was an expensive Odyssey that was bragged up to no end. Did not work well at all for me. Ended up buying their "special" charger even.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I find that most regular priced batteries will last 4-5 years before starting to get weak or die completely. I have only had one Optima battery that came in my 2009 used Kubota RTV and it died in 2011. I didn't realize they were so expensive till I tried replacement. The local Optima dealer (NAPA store) didn't even keep them in stock because hardly anyone bought them due to the price. So I bought a NAPA battery to replace it. It is still going strong. My automobiles all get EverStart batteries from Wallyworld as they are the cheapest place to buy them. I normally have to replace even the OEM batteries in 4-5 years and the EverStart one last just as long (Normally). Every mfg. can have a bad one occasionally.

By the way my B26 still has the OEM battery in it. It sounds a little weak when cranking but it sounded that way when I got it so it must be just the way it cranks over. So the 2009 Kubota OEM is 8 years and counting (maybe more since I don't know when the battery was actually made). Best I have ever had in battery life.

 

[LD1]

You guys are bumming be out with this 11 year talk about Kubota batteries. Mine just turned 10, so I guess I'll probably be replacing it next year

 

[DK35vince]

You guys are bumming be out with this 11 year talk about Kubota batteries. Mine just turned 10, so I guess I'll probably be replacing it next year

You never know.
I think my dad got 13 years out of his original Kubota battery.
I got 11 years from my original Kioti battery.
My trucks battery is 11 years old and still going strong. Got 10 years out of my wife's car battery

 

[rScotty]

The OEM Kubota battery is surprising me with how long it is lasting. Getting close to ten years now.
When it is all used up, we'll replace it Optima Red top if they make anything close to the same configuration. We use Optima batteries in all our equipment including commercial stuff, boats, and tractors. They cost more, but last far longer and less downtime. Have used Optimas for over 20 years now. In fact, the Red Top in the John Deere 530 is over 20 years old - that's ancient for a battery. Have tried Red top, Yellows and Blues through the years. Near as I can tell, the Red top is the best for general purpose and starting.
luck, rScotty

 

[ultrarunner]

I wonder what's the secret to Kubota long life batteries... maybe it's the water or long life noodles?

All I can say is I have been very impressed with mine...

 

[JRobyn]

The guys that sold me my solar gate operator recommended using a standard auto battery from wherever had the best "full replacement warranty". And then to get it replaced just before the warranty expired. That place turned out to be Sam's Club, with 3-year full replacement warranty. Up to about 2 years on it so far! Costco used to have a replacement warranty, but I think they are all pro-rated now.

- Jay

 

[Gator6x4]

I just replaced a 12 year old Kubota battery. Took the battery to the local Sam's. The Tech in the battery area matched it to the same size in stock battery with the highest Cold Cranking AMP's which was a couple hundred more CCA than the original battery. The battery has a three year free replacement.

 

[Gcorron]

Boy howdy on the cost of the red tops going up!!
I replaced the two batteries in my Dodge Cummins with a single red top. Got about 7 years out of the first, it didn't die, but started dragging pretty bad. I noticed that now both batteries cost less than the single red top! Still my favorite battery.

Commercially I used to be in charge of a fleet of 30 generators at a prison, think life safety here. We used the Interstate batteries and I always found them to be very reliable.

If you have a Batteries Plus store near you, hard to beat their prices, and they carry the Optimas. I've had good luck with those folks too.

George

 

[ch1ch2]

I use WW batteries. 3-4 yrs is what I expect and do normally get. I had a deep-cycle battery that died from lack of use, I am guessing, 6 yrs ago. I put it on a new digital charger on recondition. It came back to life and has not stopped yet. I just used it yesterday and noticed the date was 6-02.

 

[ultrarunner]

We use to move a lot of Interstate Batteries and the local jobber was the best...

Interstate consolidated and "Bought" his territory.

The last few years I have been buying from a local independent... has all the odd sizes and stock is fresh.

The last two Interstate I bought for personal use did not provide the life I was expecting.

 

[PILOON]

What is bothering you?
11 years? you are are on borrowed time!
Better buy yourself a lottery ticket as the odds are on your side. LOL.
OK, my wife's Nissan went 8 years on the factory battery and my GMC was a bit shorter.
When I drove a company car I'd replace every 3 yrs as a boost or towing exceeded the cost of a new battery. (then used them in my off road stuff) LOL.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

Dang, hadn't even thought about it. The BX's factory battery is 8 years old now. Still going strong.

I keep all my equipment on small battery tenders. Hopefully that helps.

Z.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Most of the Walmart batteries out here are made by Johnson Controls as were the Costco Kirkland batteries that have been replaced with the Interstate labeling.

Have found that most of the Kubota products made in the USA that we have purchased have an East Penn Deka battery and they all have an above average lifespan.

David