"AGM Car" batteries for less used tractors?

[Sid Post]

I have a pair of Kubota tractors that don't get frequent use so, now that their batteries are at the "end of life", I am thinking about replacements. I know vibration from the motor and field can knock the plates over in car batteries and kill them, so, I was thinking about AGM options on the cheap side that don't suffer this problem and have low 'self discharge rates' as well, which is nice.

AGM batteries from Sam's Club (Duracell) or Walmart (Everstart) run ~$200 so, not necessarily the cheapest option. Local farm stores want a lot more than that, though, so, perhaps I need to shop real tractor batteries somewhere else like at a Construction Machinery dealer.

The engines in question are small Kubota options.

TIA,
Sid

 

[AaronD81]

I switched to AGM for my tractor, got it at Costco. You should be fine with a normal battery. I found that a direct replacement was hard to find so I took the battery and some measurements to the store and bought a bigger common size that was cheaper than the odd size I replaced.

 

[5030]

Have no idea what you mean by 'plates knocked over'. The plates are secured in the case with a lead buss across the top and the plates 'index' in the case and cannot het knocked over.

The only difference between an AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery and a flooded cell is the price difference. In an AGM battery, the electrolyte is suspended in a spun glass mat, same electrolyte as in a flooded cell battery. Same chemical reaction, same sulfation characteristics, same end result.

Not sure what you mean by 'end of life' either. What renders a battery's end is when the plates become so coated with lead sulphate, they can no longer except a full charge or the sulphate collects in the bottom of the case and shorts the plates at which point the battery won't accept a charge anymore and both conditions are gradually getting worse as the battery ages, on the shelf or in your application, why I always buy my starting batteries from a volume seller because once the battery is charged with electrolyte, it's lifetime begins.

Of course you can buy a 'dry charged' battery where you add the electrolyte but today, those are rare.

In reality, you don't need an AGM battery with the newer 'sealed' conventional batteries which are nothing but non vented caps that return the electrolyte to the cells, instead of letting it 'gas off' into the atmosphere.

 

[LouNY]

We have been using "automotive" batteries in most of the farm tractors my Branson is on a group 31 and the NH 8160 has a pair of group 31's.
A few of the tractors use a size that is not commonly available in some "automotive" stores but I don't believe many OEM tractor batteries are any better then off the self batteries.

Added; Yes I like and am using "AGM" type batteries as I have to replace them. They do not cause corrosion on the terminal ends as the so called sealed batteries do.

 

[5030]

Really no such thing as a 'car or truck or boat battery. Batteries are rated by cold cranking amps and physical size or 'group' numbers. All the same basically except Li-Ion or 'solid state' batteries but none of those are good for starting applications because they are unable to deliver the high amperage required to start an engine.

 

[Cycledude]

I have been using car battery in my Ford 8N for the past 30+ years, the first one lasted 18 years, it was a Walmart battery and when it finally failed I replaced it with another Walmart battery. AGM batteries are a very good option but I have never used one in a tractor.

 

[WranglerX]

Have ODYSSEY brand battery in my Jeep, it runs very little, but always there... Big CCA as it is used for winching at times... AGM batteries (not necessarily brand specific) are probably more robust than standard plate batteries, well worth the extra cost.... Had one actually last about 20 years in "show" car rarely driven....

 

[sixdogs]

I use AGM in everything but my 6V tractor and never an issue. I put what I believe were commercial or "super duty" in some things but a couple tractors got plain old AGM batteries destined for cars. I bounced all over the fields with them and nothing ever went wrong. I got the same normal long-term life as the commercial type batteries. I bought the commercial ones at Sam's Club but the last one is a few years back.

Note here is that I keep my batteries charged. They get an early winter full charge and then another in March. I feel this helps.

 

[RjCorazza]

I'm also a fan of AGM batteries for their low self discharge rate, vibration resistance, and no fumes to corrode components outside of the battery.
I've tried different AGM brands, and my experience is that Odyssey batteries are top notch (but $$$). That's what will go into my tractor when the OEM battery needs replacing.

 

[5030]

AGM batteries idle discharge at the same 3% per month as flooded cell batteries do and hot weather will kill a battery faster than cold weather will. It always seems like cold weather kills them when in fact cold weather starts require much more starting amperage consequently, a flooded cell or AGM battery that is getting older won't be able to provide the required cold crank amps so people deem them shot when in fact they aren't totally.

 

[rScotty]

I have a pair of Kubota tractors that don't get frequent use so, now that their batteries are at the "end of life", I am thinking about replacements. I know vibration from the motor and field can knock the plates over in car batteries and kill them, so, I was thinking about AGM options on the cheap side that don't suffer this problem and have low 'self discharge rates' as well, which is nice.

AGM batteries from Sam's Club (Duracell) or Walmart (Everstart) run ~$200 so, not necessarily the cheapest option. Local farm stores want a lot more than that, though, so, perhaps I need to shop real tractor batteries somewhere else like at a Construction Machinery dealer.

The engines in question are small Kubota options.

TIA,
Sid

I hear you. I like the inexpensive AGMs for all of the same reasons, though I don't agree with the idea tha the plates fall over. If you look at how they are built, they cannot. Still, whatever the reason the AGMs do seem more durable against vibration and impact. Maybe the adsorbant pads between the plates give them some cushioning that flooded cells lack.

Just not corroding the battery posts, connectors, and wires is worth the price difference right there.

I buy Interstate AGMs. They make a size AGM-24F at a good price and will send it UPS. THe size 24 or 24F are the smallest common size car/tractor batteries. They are common to small cars and are often the least expensive size. - so it is worthwhile to find a way to make size 24/24F fit.

Another bonus of AGMs is that since they don't spit acid & fumes, they can be strapped down with nylon straps instead of using those funky metal screw type holddowns.

rScotty

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

ok... I will poke the hornets nest..... tractors have been coming std. from factory for over 100 years with lead / acid batteries and they used to work just fine.

unless a tractor has a high parasitic drain and no battery disconnect I can not be talked into paying 2x or whatever more than I need to to get the job done. I tried counting once how many batteries I have scatted around my place and gave up / wasn't smart enough cause I ran out of toes and fingers. Paying more than I need for something more than I personally require just isn't going to happen.

just my two cents from a guy who has been around long enough to know the value of 2 cents.

Cheers folks.

 

[JimRB]

New math they do not teach you in school. If you count your fingers and your 3 joints, you can count pretty high with just one hand. 16 with just 4 fingers. Thumbs mess things up and you can only get up to 19 on one hand unless you count the hand which gets you to twenty. ;-)

I replaced 3 batteries in November. Two flooded Interstate batteries for the truck and an AGM for the car, all lasted as long as the warranty plus a few months, I did not do AGM in the car if it was not going to last any longer than previous flooded batteries. Walmart was the easiest place to get batteries on that cold weekend.

 

[rScotty]

ok... I will poke the hornets nest..... tractors have been coming std. from factory for over 100 years with lead / acid batteries and they used to work just fine.

SNIP.
Paying more than I need for something more than I personally require just isn't going to happen.
just my two cents from a guy who has been around long enough to know the value of 2 cents.

Cheers folks.

Lead/acid batteries still work just fine. AGMs are pretty much the same sort of lead/acid batteries. The only difference is the way the acid is contained between the plates in AGMs makes it easier to keep the acid and fumes inside the battery.
My 2 cents says the AGM is worth the extra cost because it reduces the corrosion in the connectors and cables - which also cost money.
YMMV,
rScotty

 

[Midniteoyl]

I have a pair of Kubota tractors that don't get frequent use so, now that their batteries are at the "end of life", I am thinking about replacements. I know vibration from the motor and field can knock the plates over in car batteries and kill them, so, I was thinking about AGM options on the cheap side that don't suffer this problem and have low 'self discharge rates' as well, which is nice.

AGM batteries from Sam's Club (Duracell) or Walmart (Everstart) run ~$200 so, not necessarily the cheapest option. Local farm stores want a lot more than that, though, so, perhaps I need to shop real tractor batteries somewhere else like at a Construction Machinery dealer.

The engines in question are small Kubota options.

TIA,
Sid

I put one of these batteries in my F150 before the winter. So far, so good.. They are 'Chinese', but well built and of course, priced right.

Amazon.com: Weize Platinum AGM Battery BCI Group 49-12v 95ah H8 Size 49 Automotive Battery, 160RC, 900CCA, 36 Months Warranty, Dimensions 13.9" L x 6.89" W x 7.48" H : Automotive

Buy Weize Platinum AGM Battery BCI Group 49-12v 95ah H8 Size 49 Automotive Battery, 160RC, 900CCA, 36 Months Warranty, Dimensions 13.9" L x 6.89" W x 7.48" H: Batteries - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have a pair of Kubota tractors that don't get frequent use so, now that their batteries are at the "end of life", I am thinking about replacements. I know vibration from the motor and field can knock the plates over in car batteries and kill them, so, I was thinking about AGM options on the cheap side that don't suffer this problem and have low 'self discharge rates' as well, which is nice.

AGM batteries from Sam's Club (Duracell) or Walmart (Everstart) run ~$200 so, not necessarily the cheapest option. Local farm stores want a lot more than that, though, so, perhaps I need to shop real tractor batteries somewhere else like at a Construction Machinery dealer.

The engines in question are small Kubota options.

TIA,
Sid

I use AGM batteries in my truck and tractor.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

New math they do not teach you in school. If you count your fingers and your 3 joints, you can count pretty high with just one hand. 16 with just 4 fingers. Thumbs mess things up and you can only get up to 19 on one hand unless you count the hand which gets you to twenty. ;-)

I replaced 3 batteries in November. Two flooded Interstate batteries for the truck and an AGM for the car, all lasted as long as the warranty plus a few months, I did not do AGM in the car if it was not going to last any longer than previous flooded batteries. Walmart was the easiest place to get batteries on that cold weekend.

If you count in base five and convert to decimal you can count to 99 on your fingers. Right hand index finger is 1, second finger 2, little finger is four. thumb is five, thumb plus index is six, thumb plus little is 9. Ten is the left index finger, 11 is both index fingers, and so on, until you hit 99.

My daughter taught me that when she was three. Her mom and I have no idea where it came from. Neither of us, nor her siblings taught it to her. And she didn't do preschool or day care yet.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

Now, Back on Topic. AGM batteries were developed for high vibration applications, military and racing where there is a real possibility of things getting upside down or sideways, and leakage of the acid is a real problem. Unless you anticipate laying your tractor on its side, you are probably wasting money buying one.

The old-style asphalt case batteries did have issues with the plates breaking loose and shorting. Modern injection cast plastic bodies have channels cast in to hold the plates. So, they will not vibrate loose and short out.

Rather than spending money on a high dollar battery, the most cost-effective way to get long battery life is to add a maintenance charger with de-sulfonating function. I've rigged all of my vehicle for shore power hookups and plug them in when not in use. On ones I want to start when cold, I add an on at 0-C off at 5-C thermostatic switch, and some kind of an engine heater. Either a tank heater, block heater, or glue on oil pan heater(s) depending on the fuel and engine controls. Power draw when plugged in is negligible once the battery is charged, and the charger is in monitoring mode.

I recently bought a TYM T293 with a heated cab and snowblower. This summer it will get a heater installed in the engine cooling system, a glue on pad on the transmission, and a heat mat under the battery and a maintenance charger installed. So, when I want to move snow, it will start right up and be ready to run.

 

[John_Mc]

AGM batteries idle discharge at the same 3% per month as flooded cell batteries do and hot weather will kill a battery faster than cold weather will. It always seems like cold weather kills them when in fact cold weather starts require much more starting amperage consequently, a flooded cell or AGM battery that is getting older won't be able to provide the required cold crank amps so people deem them shot when in fact they aren't totally.

Actually, no. AGM batteries generally have a lower self discharge rate than flooded lead-acid batteries.

 

[John_Mc]

I was not getting good life out of the flooded lead-acid batteries in my 2001 NH TC33D. I'd get about 3 or 4 years. Nine years ago, I put in an Optima D51 yellow top battery. It's still going strong. As a bonus, it's not corroding the ends of my battery cables like the flooded lead-acid batteries did. It was fortunate that I got it before the prices of Optima batteries shot up years ago, but even at todays prices, I'll get another when this one finally goes.

The self discharge rate is lower than flooded lead-acid, and they are more vibration resistant. I do put it in a desulfating charger maintainer when it isn't likely to be used for a while.

I also use an AGM battery to run the hydraulic pump on my dump trailer. It's a deep cycle, 100 Amp-hour rated battery. It was a "Vmax" brand, and marketed as a golf cart battery. I had never heard of the brand, but I decided to give it a try. Bought 6.5 years ago, and it's still working well. The trailer is not connected to the tow vehicle electrical system, so it does get deep cycled from time to time. It stays on a desulfating charger/maintainer when not in use.