Another battery post (pun intended)

[llbaker2]

Im confused. Im in need of a new battery for my L3400DT. Ive read that a BCI Group 24 will work but the length on this group seems to be slightly to long. I carefully measured the distance between the brackets that hold the bottom of the battery in place ( "L" shaped metal tabs) at 10 1/8" (257mm). The BCI length dimensions for a group 24 battery are listed at 260 mm (10 1/4"). Thats dang close. Cant find the BCI definition of length. Are the BCI dimensions maximum overall values or what. If this is the case (another pun) then it is entirely possible that the minimum case dimension length may be short enough to fit between the battery base containment brackets. To try to state a little differently, the battery cases overall maximum length could be slightly more than its minimum case length. I fact I think this is the most likely scenario but I hate to order a battery only to find that its an 1/8" to long.
Wadayathink? Anybody put a BCI Group 24 (260mm case length) in a Kubota L3400DT? I live near a small town. Not a lot of places to look but guess i will go to Walmart and measure one of their group 24s and maybe hit one or two auto part stores to see what they have. Not sure I trust calling battery vendor. Trust my own measurements more than some customer service rep.

Would also like to have more cca than whats in tractor now (490 cca currently). Have heard it recommended to get something with at least 800 cca. Anyone know of such a beast? Even the Kubota batteries (70000-30039 and 77700-00450 only go up to about 600 cca.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Unless you want to rebuild the battery box, you wont be getting 800 CCA battery into a box designed for a 490 CCA. Best thing to do is take the old battery (needed for core charge anyway) with you to measure against the new one. Look for 3 dimensional measurements (L X W X H) along with post locations. IF the dimensions are the same and post locations are the same, CCA is at least as much as the old one then that is your battery. I now buy all my batteries from NAPA. My local Walmart seems to have quit handling most of the size and type batteries that I need. NAPA is a bit higher in cost, but I get good service life from them.

If you haven't bought a battery in a few years, be prepared for sticker shock. Batteries that used to cost $60 are now $100+. Something about an Obama era EPA law about lead has driven up the cost by about double.

 

[Ford850]

You should be able to find a variety of group 24 in 600cca. I know Menards carries some, so parts stores should have them too.

 

[AllDodge]

Group 24 is plenty, but don't recommend NAPA bats

 

[FatTire]

If you haven't bought a battery in a few years, be prepared for sticker shock. Batteries that used to cost $60 are now $100+. Something about an Obama era EPA law about lead has driven up the cost by about double.

The air quality standards for lead emissions were actually tightened up by a factor of ten in 2008, under the Bush admin. I don't know if there is any link between that and the cost of lead acid batteries, but if so, it may be a case of industry being held accountable for the actual costs of pollution, which of course trickles through to the consumer.

 

[AllDodge]

I like AGM over lead acid but they do cost a bot more, but don't loose charge as fast during non use

 

[oosik]

I bought a new battery for my Kubota last year. Odyssey - its AGM - group 31 - 1150 CCA.

Your tractor owners manual will specify which grouping fits your tractor.

Reread and follow what Gary Fowler has to say in post #2.

An AGM type battery will provide just about as much CCA as you can get. Unless you want to start modifying your battery case so it will accept something larger or dual batteries.

If you go AGM be prepared for sticker shock - they are not cheap.

 

[LouNY]

Yea, get ready for a surprise.
I had to put a new battery in my pickup this morning, with a 20% of discount still $168, ouch.

 

[llbaker2]

Lot of good info here but no answer to my question. Maybe Im not making myself clear. Anybody put a BCI Group 24 (260mm case length) in a kubota L3400DT? The BCI length dimensions for a group 24 battery are listed at 260 mm (10 1/4"). I carefully measured the distance between the brackets that hold the bottom of the battery in place ( "L" shaped metal tabs) at 10 1/8" (257mm). According to what I measured and BCI charts a Group 24 battery is 1/8" to long and will not fit between brackets. Yet I have read that it will fit. Weather it fits depends on the case length at the base which could be slightly less than the BCI chart value (assuming its the maximum case length).

Based on a Kubota maintenance video (and the fact that my current 490 cca barely turn my tractor over even with green indicator) they recommend a 800-1000 cca battery. Not so sure thats possible in a group 24 (except for AGM. Dont really want to spend that kind of money). Saw that Interstate's MT-24 is 600 cca and Walmarts EverStart Maxx group 24 is 700 cca. While they are both less than the recommended 800 cca, they are both heavier than the current 490 cca. Not crazy about Walmart batteries but I may go with it. Guess I will just have to drive there and measure it myself. Tried calling Interstate and they were no help. All they could do was quote BCI chart values.

 

[AllDodge]

Sorry about missing the point of your question
I found this one for 120 and is 945 CCA and says 10.25 long and list as for L3400 tractor
That said it is an AGM

Kubota Tractor Corporation L34 Battery (24) Apex Battery