Battery Replacement

[HAR]

I went to start my tractor and the battery was a bit sluggish. It was only 32F (0c) outside, but still, sluggish.

I looked at my records, and I had installed a new Interstate 51R in 2009, replacing the OEM (Kubota) battery from 1999. While it still worked, I did not want to be caught mid-winter, so I replaced the Interstate with a NAPA 7551R.

I got to thinking. I wish batteries in my cars would last as long, but then again, I do not start my tractor as often either. Granted, it is a small tractor/engine, but the battery is small as well.

What are you thoughts? Are 10 & 13 years above average life spans for tractor batteries?

 

[WranglerX]

It has nothing to do with being a tractor battery or lawn mower battery or truck or car battery.... Its all about battery quality and how it was maintained ....

10 years for a flooded cell battery not kept on a tender is probably on the way out.... Only battery that has gives me long life is a AGM battery, I have one in my dunebuggy that is almost 15 plus years old but is showing signed of it going to fail soon....

 

[arto98607]

I would not switch brands after getting 13 years of service out of Interstate.

 

[seville009]

Same experience here….. I think my tractor battery is more than ten years old. Still starts right up; have never had to charge it or boost it.

Now that I’ve said that out loud, it will die on me tomorrow……

 

[Hayloft]

Same experience here….. I think my tractor battery is more than ten years old. Still starts right up; have never had to charge it or boost it.

Now that I’ve said that out loud, it will die on me tomorrow……

I'm going on ten yrs with my interstate (Johnson Controls) battery in 3520H tractor and very reliable.


Info about automotive batteries made in USA:
Most automotive batteries made in America are manufactured by one of two companies: Johnson Controls, Inc. or Exide Technologies. The dominant replacement market brand names, Interstate and DieHard, are both Johnson Controls products, as is the Optima brand.

Wally-Mart batteries are also made by Johnson Controls.

The few USA battery makers also sell custom label batteries to a miriad of bargain battery sellers but there's just a few makers.

And Yes how you use and maintain the battery is real important. Ten years out of a car battery with no maintenance is rare...nowadays you're lucky to see five yrs out of a "maintenance free" battery. Over-discharging is really bad for lead-acid batteries so especially in cold or very hot conditions keeping the battery properly charged helps the battery life.

 

[Wolfy]

By far the longest lasting battery I have ever seen is on my fathers Kubota. L3710. He bought it new in 2002 and now its 2022, that is 20 years and still running the battery it came with. I can not ever recall jumping it, and at 1400 hours the battery certainly has sat at times.

 

[BravoXray]

When I bought my 2005 BX2230 in 2018 it still had the original Deka battery in it, but a year later it got pretty weak so I replaced it. Not bad life out of that one. I think the battery in my JD430 is over 15 years old and still going strong.

 

[nisaacs]

Info about automotive batteries made in USA:
Most automotive batteries made in America are manufactured by one of two companies: Johnson Controls, Inc. or Exide Technologies.

I think you are forgetting these guys....

That’s East Penn Manufacturing.
A private, family-owned company operating
the largest single-site, lead battery
manufacturing facility in the world.

 

[big bubba]

whatever battery you decide, do not get one with removable cell inspection plates, get a maintenance free sealed.
had to replace my removable plate battery since it constantly weeped acid onto the tray.

 

[jaydee325]

East Penn makes Deka. The last couple NAPA batteries also listed East Penn as the manufacturer.

The East Penn website also has a lot of general battery info.

 

[Handloader109]

My tractor battery is 6 plus now, I put on tender part of the winter to keep it charged. Batteries can be a crapshoot. I just got a replacement for my f150 truck the other day. 350 day life for an 84 month battery from autozone. They did replace free.....

 

[rScotty]

I use Oddysey now when I can. Still buy the occasional Interstate. Used to use Optima for 20+ years until their quality became inconsistent.

Whatever you get, make it an AGM sealed no maintenance type. AGMs cost 50% more- but have no maintenance or corrosion, and tend to last more than 50% longer.
rScotty

 

[Gator6x4]

Batteries 101.

Battery 101 Spot These Battery Differences | Northeast Battery Blog

Golf cart batteries, car batteries, motorcycles, boats, lawnmowers - they all are unique, and one battery does not always fit all. Find out more here!

northeastbattery.com

 

[loggin]

I believe battery longevity also has to do with where it is located both geographically and where it is housed on a vehicle. In cold climates they seem to have a shorter life cycle than in milder climates. Also car batteries that spend their time in the engine compartment have to withstand extreme heat and potentially extreme cold depending on where you live. This type of environment is hard on a battery and I believe contributes to it's demise.

The battery in my tractor is 11 years old now and I will likely be replacing it soon. It spends it's time out in front of the radiator where it only reaches outside temps and I rarely use it in the extremes. The batteries in the cars last about half that time.

Once again just my 2 cents.

Happy Holidays to all!!!

 

[SmallChange]

I've read that being hot is what most ages a battery, and also that starting an engine while cold is the toughest test of the battery.

On a hot summer day, the engine will start easily, but the battery has been aging rapidly.

On a cold winter day, the battery may fail to start the engine because it's hard to turn and a battery produces electricity more slowly when cold (it's a chemical reaction). But, the battery must already have been aged, as recent cold weather has done nothing to make it age.

 

[HAR]

My OEM and the Interstate battery, while not dead, both were showing signs of age. I have never trickle charged either, but my tractor is always stored indoors, but not heated. I had considered another 'Kubota' battery, but the price from the dealer was way out of line. I paid $90 for the Interstate 51R in 2009 and that worked out just fine. I looked again for options this go around. The Interstate was a bit more pricey, but not in stock and the Napa was in stock, so I gambled. Only time will tell, but I bet that Napa would sell a junk battery.

 

[nyone]

I have got 9yrs out of an exide battery in a daily driven car along with 11yrs out of a cheap walmart lawnmower battery. To be honest now I buy the cheapest battery battery that's easily available to me. Some times that's exide from home depot.
I live in the northeast and all my stuff starts with the key and no block heater.

 

[5030]

I change out my flooded cell jars every 5 years. Usually use Interstate or Delphi and get them from the local Truck dealership because they do volume. Wet charged jars begin to expire once the acid is put in.

 

[tstex]

For farm machinery, it best to always check for any corrosion. It's common sense that if you are not going to run any equipment for long periods of time, pull it, then charge before you use.

Also, since tractors and other farm equipment can get banged around and jolt the battery, securing the battery in something that protects it when it's being jolted will prevent case cracks and from possibly damaging the cells. This is the best proactive thing you can do for a farm/six wheeler/etc from damage.

Finally, periodically checking the battery, terminals and other for corrosion or other is always good before damage occurs.