Dumb Battery Question.

John_Mc · Jan 22, 2019

Whether simply buying the biggest CCA rating that will fit makes sense depends on your usage. Generally, designing a battery for maximum CCA has an adverse effect on whether it can deep cycle without damage (the exception to this is some types of AGM batteries, which seem to be able to do both). Conversely, many deep cycle batteries can't handle the large surge currents required by some starting applications. Max CCA may be what you want, if your only significant electrical load is starting and running a couple of lights, but if you are regularly running a 12V winch of any significant size, you will be drawing your battery down a good bit, since few tractor alternators can keep up with the draw of a winch. This will shorten the life of most lead acid starting batteries.

Trillium Farm · Jan 22, 2019

oosik said:
My 2009 Kubota M6040 takes a group 31 battery. I replaced it last year with an Odyssey AGM battery. The OEM battery is kept around the shop for jump starts on other equipment. I keep a Deltran battery maintainer on the tractor battery all winter.

Even though the Odyssey is one of the best if not the best battery, it still is not an agricultural battery and this is what you need for tractor work. CCA is good, but a high reserve is also critical in a diesel. Tractor batteries not only need cranking power but also need deep-cycle service that delivers more amp-hours (AH), which describes how much power the battery can provide over a given length of time. I would always get a battery from a tractor supply store just to be sure.

WranglerX · Jan 22, 2019

Another battery to look at is Odyssey.... I have big 850 CCA in my Jeep because I use winch at times... IT been amazing...

ODYSSEY Battery - Official Manufacturer's Site

Dale

John_Mc · Jan 23, 2019

Trillium Farm said:
Even though the Odyssey is one of the best if not the best battery, it still is not an agricultural battery and this is what you need for tractor work. CCA is good, but a high reserve is also critical in a diesel. Tractor batteries not only need cranking power but also need deep-cycle service that delivers more amp-hours (AH), which describes how much power the battery can provide over a given length of time. I would always get a battery from a tractor supply store just to be sure.

Odyssey is an AGM battery. A lot depends on the design decisions that went in to the specific model of battery under consideration, but AGM batteries in general (even "starting" batteries) tend to be more tolerant of discharge cycles than the conventional flooded lead acid batteries. They are also generally more tolerant of vibration and have a lower "self discharge" rate (the rate at which they discharge just sitting there, even with nothing connected) than conventional batteries.

I've had an Optima Yellow-top in my tractor for just shy of 3 years years now with very good results so far. It was purchased off of Amazon. It's already lasted as long as the previous two OEM replacement batteries. (Bought from the same dealer from whom I bought my tractor: each died within about 3 years).

I was fortunate: I got my Optima before the almost 50% price increase went though a couple of years ago. It was also before the rash of quality problems happened. (Some believe the quality problems were related to the move of their production facilities to Mexico. Whether that was related to the old plant having issues as it was being shut down, or startup pains at the new one is unclear. There are some indications - just from individuals' reports - that current product seems to have gotten the quality level back up to where it once was.)

Diggin It · Jan 23, 2019

Ustacould put in a disconnect for those long down times so there was no load on the battery. With all the electronical gadgets and whatnots now, does that harm the machines?

doneill127 · Jan 23, 2019

From consumer reports: Most aftermarket car batteries sold in the U.S. are made by three companies that build them for retailers: Johnson Controls, which supplies more than half of the market; Exide; and East Penn. They are sold under various names and built to the specifications of retailers, so performance can vary.
I just replaced mine with an Interstate battery from Costco for $72. Same group size and higher cca than the oem (exide). Compared to the other pricing all above $100 seemed like a real bargain.

Trillium Farm · Jan 23, 2019

doneill127 said:
From consumer reports: Most aftermarket car batteries sold in the U.S. are made by three companies that build them for retailers: Johnson Controls, which supplies more than half of the market; Exide; and East Penn. They are sold under various names and built to the specifications of retailers, so performance can vary.
I just replaced mine with an Interstate battery from Costco for $72. Same group size and higher cca than the oem (exide). Compared to the other pricing all above $100 seemed like a real bargain.

This is true, but these manufacturers run also batch-making so that they'll make batch for so & so often to their specs, the single most important factor in pricing is LEAD, so if you see a battery that is substantially cheaper chances are that the lead in the cells will be a lot less than in the more expensive one.