3720 Battery

[NYBOB]

I have an almost 3 year old JD 3720. I went to start it today and just clicked. I tried to jump it and it would only turn over slowly. I am charging the battery now. I cleaned the terminals just in case.

Does it make sense that a 3 year old battery can go bad? I only have 210 hours on the machine.

Also, if it is bad, what type of battery should I replace it with and where do you get them?

Thanks
Bob

 

[JD755]

Very typical for a JD battery. Do a search of the forums for battery. Lots of opinions, especially regarding replacing with Optima and similar batteries.

 

[kennyd]

Don't waste your time charging it...Just go get a new one. Like 755 wrote-JD batteries are less than stellar.

 

[NYBOB]

The JD guy gave me a price of $89 for a maintenance free battery. Does anyone know what an Optima would cost including shipping to NY?

Thanks
Bob

Don't waste your time charging it...Just go get a new one. Like 755 wrote-JD batteries are less than stellar.

 

[kennyd]

Here is a good thread about batteries: Optima battery questions - TractorByNet.com

A search of the term "optima" will turn up lots of reading. Your battery is not "unique", many places that sell batteries will have one to fit.

 

[Rob-D]

JD updated the compact batteries with a new design that vents out the bottom of the tractor, used to be a problem with acid and the oil cooler but its corrected.

Nothing wrong with Deere batteries, it's how you use your tractor. Battery life is contingent on several factors. Have you checked your terminals? When is the last time you used it? Left something powered on like your lights?

I'd put in a Deere battery IF it's bad. The batteries are set up for their charging system. It's ok to use a sealed lead acid, GMA (glass mat) or other design IF it's ok by Deere. Different batteries exhibit different charging schemes and float voltages. Get the wrong set up and your battery won't last or worse you'll over tax your charging system.

Optima batteries haven't won my heart over.

Rob

 

[JD755]

JD updated the compact batteries with a new design that vents out the bottom of the tractor, used to be a problem with acid and the oil cooler but its corrected.

Nothing wrong with Deere batteries, it's how you use your tractor. Battery life is contingent on several factors. Have you checked your terminals? When is the last time you used it? Left something powered on like your lights?

I'd put in a Deere battery IF it's bad. The batteries are set up for their charging system. It's ok to use a sealed lead acid, GMA (glass mat) or other design IF it's ok by Deere. Different batteries exhibit different charging schemes and float voltages. Get the wrong set up and your battery won't last or worse you'll over tax your charging system.

Optima batteries haven't won my heart over.

Rob

I saw other comments recently about JD using a new battery design. From what you are saying seems like they are doing what I have done for many years. Use a vent tube. Previous thread with information here:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/154730-3320-300-hour-review.html

 

[Rob-D]

That's exactly what they did. One thing I like about Deere is that they fix their problems. I noticed the problems with my 2006, 2320 were all fixed in the 2009 models.

Saturnal old company, can't get their tractor data right from one brochure to the next but build a great machine, constantly improve it and back it up.

Rob

 

[pilot-werx]

Do not waste your money on anything but an Optima. I have now replaced everything I own with them and have nothing but good things to say. I wish I could get them for my airplanes!

 

[wsp617]

Not sure if you ever read the reviews at http://www.********************.com but batteries in the JD tractors is a common complaint. I bought a brand new LA 140 lawn tractor in Aug 2007. I had to put a battery in it this Spring. Not happy about but it was only a $30 item at Farm/Fleet. Just agrivating that JD is supposed to be so good and then they skimp on stuff like the batteries.

 

[Rob-D]

Sorry that site didn't come up but let's talk about batteries.
Optima (yellow top) is a deep cycle AGM battery. That's a glass matt battery and they have different float voltages and charging than lead acid batteries, they also have different internal resistances. Batteries (deep cycle) are rated for number of cycles they are recharged and they are a different animal than an auto battery which is not a deep cycle battery. If you look at Optima's web site they give the charging for their batteries and it says "strictly adhered to". That's because if you charge it wrong the battery life goes down... drastically. Batteries are charged by a percentage of 'C' where C is the battery capacity. So an AGM battery might be charged at C/5. Let's say the battery is rated at 10 amps, C/5 = 2 amps charging. Charge it faster and your battery life goes down or worse on an AGM it gets too hot and the one way valve lets gases escape so the battery doesn't blow up. The problem is that once too much gas escapes the battery is toast.
So AGM batteries have different float voltages, different rates of charge, different internal resistances and different peak safe voltages.
Deep cycle batteries are not designed for CCA (cold cranking amps). Optima might make one but you still have the above conditions to meet.
The thing that ruins lead acid batteries is fast charging. What happens is the plates warp and when they warp material falls to the bottom of the battery and shorts the plates. If you notice Deere batteries are relatively high, that's a good thing because it leaves more room at the bottom of the battery for material to sit before the battery fails. Bottom line, don't charge your car or tractor battery fast. Use a slow charge over a few hours.
With all this said they may work in your tractor and Optima may even sell them for cars but I don't want one. Optima give you a strict charging paradigm to protect themselves and several years ago they were pulling batteries off the shelf. (do a search on Optima troubles, they're not without them) Deere batteries are fine used properly AND designed for your tractor's charging system, that's important. Mine last.
I've seen more people complain about batteries when it was how they handled them and I've seen dirty terminal with poor connections sending people for new batteries when they didn't need them.

Rob

 

[JD755]

Sorry that site didn't come up but let's talk about batteries.
Optima (yellow top) is a deep cycle AGM battery. That's a glass matt battery and they have different float voltages and charging than lead acid batteries, they also have different internal resistances. Batteries (deep cycle) are rated for number of cycles they are recharged and they are a different animal than an auto battery which is not a deep cycle battery. If you look at Optima's web site they give the charging for their batteries and it says "strictly adhered to". That's because if you charge it wrong the battery life goes down... drastically. Batteries are charged by a percentage of 'C' where C is the battery capacity. So an AGM battery might be charged at C/5. Let's say the battery is rated at 10 amps, C/5 = 2 amps charging. Charge it faster and your battery life goes down or worse on an AGM it gets too hot and the one way valve lets gases escape so the battery doesn't blow up. The problem is that once too much gas escapes the battery is toast.
So AGM batteries have different float voltages, different rates of charge, different internal resistances and different peak safe voltages.
Deep cycle batteries are not designed for CCA (cold cranking amps). Optima might make one but you still have the above conditions to meet.
The thing that ruins lead acid batteries is fast charging. What happens is the plates warp and when they warp material falls to the bottom of the battery and shorts the plates. If you notice Deere batteries are relatively high, that's a good thing because it leaves more room at the bottom of the battery for material to sit before the battery fails. Bottom line, don't charge your car or tractor battery fast. Use a slow charge over a few hours.
With all this said they may work in your tractor and Optima may even sell them for cars but I don't want one. Optima give you a strict charging paradigm to protect themselves and several years ago they were pulling batteries off the shelf. (do a search on Optima troubles, they're not without them) Deere batteries are fine used properly AND designed for your tractor's charging system, that's important. Mine last.
I've seen more people complain about batteries when it was how they handled them and I've seen dirty terminal with poor connections sending people for new batteries when they didn't need them.

Rob

I too have wondered why everyone seems to go for the Yellow top in their tractors. They are advertised as dual-purpose, but are still a deep cycle battery. Designed to be charged and then run down such as a trolling motor application. Not what you want for these continuous charge operations. The Red top is a starting battery and is designed for car and tractor applications. I have never used an Optima or similar in my tractor so have no personal experience, but if I decide to try one I will look at the Red top. Be glad to hear the reasons others have chosen the Yellow top.

 

[Rob-D]

Deep cycle batteries work best in alternate energy systems where they are slowly drained and recharged. There are lots of sealed batteries showing up in solar systems now but I hear they still have their problems there too. Lots of cracked cases just as the warrantee runs out. I know a solar guy who won't use them. They work great in a computer UPS or locations where you don't want hydrogen gas in the environment like planes, or where they will be in non upright positions, boats.

Rob

 

[CurlyDave]

The battery in my 110 TLB died just two weeks ago.

I got as new automotive battery with 3-year replacement guarantee for $85 at Schuck's. (Same as Kragen and O'Reilly)

The said it was a reverse-terminal battery, but when I installed it, I noticed that the cables were long enough that I could have used the standard terminal configuration with no problem.

These cheap batteries have a high failure rate, but Schucks has always honored the warranty for me.

Tractor service is hard on a battery because it is typically low usage, maybe 100 hours per year.

What I know for sure is that my battery cost is going to be less than $30 per year, which seems low enough to me.

I think Optima batteries are better batteries and might last longer, but when I estimate $/year, I think I come out ahead with the el cheapo ones.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I think Optima batteries are better batteries and might last longer, but when I estimate $/year, I think I come out ahead with the el cheapo ones.

I think you're correct...I'm not a fan of the Optima batteries, they were the hot thing to have when they first came out, but long term they arent as good as they seem...we''ve had much better luck with the Exide Orbitals. BUT when it comes time to get one for my tractor, I'll probably do the same as I did with my pickup...go middle of the road...just run down to Sears and buy a Die-Hard, I've had the best bang for the buck with DieHard. Not much more expensive then a wally world battery, and a good quality battery IMO.

 

[sunnyside360]

Dave and Dave, I'm with you guys on this one. This discussion reminds me of the longest lasting battery I ever had which was a new Montgomery Ward, one of their better ones, in a 1978 Kubota L245DT tractor. The battery was about 12 years old and still going when I sold the tractor. That is exceptional but I still look at the newer type batteries once in a while.

 

[Runner]

I had the same problems as others with the JD battery, and it only lasted a couple of years. Was going to go with a Walmart special, but couldn't find one to fit, so got an Exide from TSC. It has slightly less CCA than the original battery, but after a year, it seems to be working OK.

My 1987 JD lawn tractor came with a battery with the vent tube, but the problem I had with that is I could never find a replacement anywhere but the dealer, so the tube doesn't get used any more.

As for acid boiling out the top, I had that problem too. I used to be picky about maintaining the electrolyte level, but I found if I just let it stay a little below where I "thought" it should be (i.e., the bottom of the plastic) I don't have the problem anymore.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have about thirty batteries to maintain in my equipment and have tried just about everything over the last 15 years or so. I have it down to two types to use now, where I am most concerned about dependability I use Odyssey or Sears DieHard Platinum (these are one and the same) for my boat, camper and 250 pickup. For all the lesser applications such as service trucks, tractors, generators and welding machine I use the Walmart Everstart Max which typically give me about 6 years of service.

 

[sunnyside360]

Here is lots of info regarding different kinds of batteries. Note they indicate only 30% of all batteries make it beyond 48 mos.

Battery Tutorial