Battery

[sixdogs]

Costco carries the same batteries as the WalMart Everstart Max (Johnson Controls) for quite a bit less. Same warranty, three year free replacement and no prorate.

Some Sam's stores in certain area must carry different varieties because ours has lots of large industrial batteries kike tractors need. the big Optimas are vibration proof and that helps but they also carry super heavy duty commercial ag only ones. Great batteries in my store. Point is, not all stores are the same and research what you are buying.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've not had good luck with walfart batteries at all... I want a batt that LAST, not one they will keep replacing!

Right now I'm buying Deka batts, so far so good... I get them from an autoparts store that gives me a good discount on them.

So far, the best batts I've owned "by far" has been Interstate batts., they just cost me a lot more than the Deka, and my friend is having good luck with Deka, so I thought I'd give them a try.

SR

 

[sixdogs]

I don't believe Interstate makes any batteries and is now just a distributor of the private label of others. Johnson products being one and I think Exide another. One that does work for me is the AGM Optima. It can take the bouncing around of a farm tractor and last a long time. I charge mine before winter and have 11 years on one.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

I've had good luck with NAPA-branded batteries. Don't know if they're Johnson Controls or Exide or ??? I like both the performance and the support on the rare occasion when I've had an issue. Example: one of the twins in my boat tested low-ish when I load tested after a couple of years. NAPA replaced _both_ to keep them matched.

I do keep _everything_ on a Deltran tender. I'm convinced that makes a great difference in longevity.

YMMV...

Z.

 

[sixdogs]

...

I do keep _everything_ on a Deltran tender. I'm convinced that makes a great difference in longevity.

YMMV...

Z.

Great advice. After I started charging all my batteries just before winter, I suddenly started getting dramatically longer life from them. 10 years is no big deal and I've been at 12 years and maybe more. I am shocked by that. These would be commercial ag batteries as well as Kubota and Toyota batteries.

 

[FatTire]

That is good to know!
There is one other factor: Costco is not always conveniently located.
Walmart is...everywhere!!!

Good point. I've never been to a Costco. According to Google maps, the nearest one would be a 408 mile round trip.

 

[Blondie70]

Here in S MS, I have never even seen a Costco before !

 

[fried1765]

Great advice. After I started charging all my batteries just before winter, I suddenly started getting dramatically longer life from them. 10 years is no big deal and I've been at 12 years and maybe more. I am shocked by that. These would be commercial ag batteries as well as Kubota and Toyota batteries.

Rather than charging "just before winter". a smart trickle charger is a better idea.
Of course there must be electric power available, unless using a solar trickle charger.
I am away for 6 months each year, and leave a smart trickle charger (I have several different brand chargers) on each of my 15 batteries.

 

[repete]

Rather than charging "just before winter". a smart trickle charger is a better idea.
Of course there must be electric power available, unless using a solar trickle charger.
I am away for 6 months each year, and leave a smart trickle charger (I have several different brand chargers) on each of my 15 batteries.

I have a drop cord at each tractor to power a small battery conditioner on all of my farm vehicles. I seldom have any issue with a battery and they crank over fast for good starts when cold.

 

[Diggin It]

I never buy anything from the Walton family ... ever.

OP, you can see this is a loaded question and I have to wonder what prompted you to ask it. You can batteries the same places you buy any other vehicle battery, auto parts stores, farm or garden stores like Tractor Supply, Rural King, Southern States, some big box home improvement stores and so on.