JD Strongbox or Optima

[msdmopar]

I know this is an older thread, but felt I needed to chime in. My experience with strongbox batteries is not so good lately. I had decent luck with a strongbox battery I put in my jd3032e. I had taken out the original battery that was 5 or 6 years old, the new strongbox was good when I sold the tractor two years later. Then in 2016 I bought a used 2005 jd3320, and the the original strongbox was still in it. Needless to say, as it got cold I had to put a new one in it. Went to jd in fall of 16' and bought the 500cca strongbox. I struggled all winter with that battery hard starting and jumping it at times of severe cold. Made it through the summer and by fall of 17' I needed a new battery again. It was right at the year warranty and jd ended up giving me a new battery. The tractor never started so good after that, so I figured the previous battery all along was not good. Fast forward to one month ago, this battery started doing the same thing, slow cranking etc. having to jump it. I went out tonight after running the tractor on Saturday for an hour at high rpm, slow crank dead after 2 seconds of cranking. Jumped it and fired right up. I have even put a battery tender on it this winter when it was really cold. This strongbox battery only lasted one year and four months. That is pathetic. Whats more pathetic is the warranty changed from pro rated for 3 or 4 years to a 1 year replacement. That tells me they changed suppliers or something. They certainly don't last like the old ones. Not sure what I'm going to do now. Is there a different brand replacement battery that fits without modification? Sorry this got so long.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I was 100% Interstate... we sold them at work and had a zone distributer that was one hardworking fool... built the business and 12 years later, split his territory and we landed with someone else... service was next to nonexistent... no more hot shot deliveries, etc...

I bought one for my BMW 2 years ago and it failed... went to Interstate and was told there was no warranty since it was bought wholesale... that did it for me...

I now use a jobber that handles lots of oddball batteries and they are cheaper and so far have delivered as promised.

Best 12 volt ever was the 13 year old Delco Green Eye in Mom's 2001 Corolla... Delco dropped the Green Eye and batteries are not made outside the USA

My Kubota battery is 11 years old and going strong...

Elk makes good batteries for alarm panels... they claim no recycled material is used.

Costco sells Interstate and stands behind them. 3 yrs free replacement. I use their $88 900CCA in all my tractors.

 

[msdmopar]

How big of a difference is the size and fit? My 3320 doesn't have a ton of room in the battery box area.

 

[ultrarunner]

I did see a lot of Interstate at Costco... might revisit because Costco is big enough to influence the market and warranty.

 

[SPYDERLK]

How big of a difference is the size and fit? My 3320 doesn't have a ton of room in the battery box area.

Its Group size 34; 7.5H x 7 x10". 800CCA, 1000CA, 42month.

 

[arlen4720]

How big of a difference is the size and fit? My 3320 doesn't have a ton of room in the battery box area.

A group 34 optima yellow top would be a good replacement. That’s what I have in my 4720. The factory strongbox went 5 years/1000hrs

 

[pipsqueek]

Interstate Batteries, Optima Batteries (aka AGM) made by Johnson Controls.

Interstate Batteries - Wikipedia

Interstate Battery System of America, Inc., a.k.a. Interstate Batteries, is a privately owned company that markets automotive batteries manufactured by Exide Technologies, Johnson Controls and others through independent distributors.

Battery Brands | Johnson Controls

Walmart sells Johnson Controls batteries.

Johnson Controls supplies automotive and lawn equipment batteries sold through Walmart.

Johnson Controls partners with Walmart to promote sustainability | Johnson Controls

 

[jgayman]

How big of a difference is the size and fit? My 3320 doesn't have a ton of room in the battery box area.

Your 3320 uses size 22NF, same as my 2720. The problem with finding a substitute is the 22NF has a small ridge at the bottom of the battery that JD uses as a hold-down. Most replacements that fit and have the proper CCA rating won't have the protrusion so you'll have to devise a different hold-down method.

Part Number: TY26498A
Part Price: 115.18 USD
Core Value: (18.00 USD)
End Price With Core Return: 97.18 USD
On Hand: 1 (Supplier Direct - Contact your dealer for availability) Check Other Stores
Description: Wet Charged Battery - BATTERY,WET,12V,BCI 22NF,CCA 500

 

[jgayman]

A group 34 optima yellow top would be a good replacement. That’s what I have in my 4720. The factory strongbox went 5 years/1000hrs

According to JD Parts the 4720 uses a different battery size than the 3320. It is size 34 instead of 22NF. It is rated at 770 CCA instead of the 500 CCA of the 3320. JD Parts also shows two slightly different 4720 batteries depending on the serial number of the tractor. Both are size 34.

 

[jgayman]

Its Group size 34; 7.5H x 7 x10". 800CCA, 1000CA, 42month.

22NF is: 8.545" H x 5.439" W x 8.993 L. 500CCA 600CA