JM-354 Battery replacement 395 engine.

[bjr]

I've about 7yrs on the original Chinese batteries and am going to replace the two 6V. with one 12V. I'll probably shop at Walmart. So what size or group of battery should I ask for? I'm wanting a readily available size, No special order thing. bjr

 

[greg_g]

Group 49 or Group 93

//greg//

 

[bjr]

I had a chance to run around the various battery vendors yesterday and found out a few things. Our local Walmart don't stock the 49 and don't show the 93 in their book. Case/IH have the 31 with 850 CCA on their showroom floor $115 1 yr. full replacement warranty. The local Batteries only store says the 31 is their most popular semi truck and farm tractor battery and had the most reinforce case and around $120. Do any of you use the group 31, if so, what do you think of it? I probably have the room for either the 49 or the 31, so, its just a matter of getting the most for my money. bjr

 

[doxford jim]

I had a chance to run around the various battery vendors yesterday and found out a few things. Our local Walmart don't stock the 49 and don't show the 93 in their book. Case/IH have the 31 with 850 CCA on their showroom floor $115 1 yr. full replacement warranty. The local Batteries only store says the 31 is their most popular semi truck and farm tractor battery and had the most reinforce case and around $120. Do any of you use the group 31, if so, what do you think of it? I probably have the room for either the 49 or the 31, so, its just a matter of getting the most for my money. bjr

Fortunately, the battery on my tractor is rated at 900CCA - but is Chinese manufactured.

I have two group 31 batteries in my F250 - just got them tucked in under the hood. They are a bit on the large size but do pack quite a charge. My two are new (last fall), so I cannot give any recommendations as yet. I bought them at an International truck dealership - I was buying some parts for the 6.9 diesel in my pickup. The batteries were on sale at $84.99 each - so I bought two of them. And yes, they do use them a lot in tractor trailer units.

I don't think you can go wrong with a good series 31 battery.

Jim

 

[greg_g]

I recommend the 49 because of the low profile. The taller 31 blocks air through the radiator AND causes seeds/chaff/dirt to be trapped in the radiator fins behind it. But disregard if you have a later model versions where the battery box was relocated to below radiator level.

//greg//

 

[biggerten]

I use the group 31 in my 2006 354.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have had a Group 31 in my tractor, Jinma 284, for 5 years now. It sits below the bottom of the radiator in mine. I battery blocking the radiator is only a problem on older Jinma tractors. The newer ones have the battery mounted lower out of the way.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Just go my paper this morning and my Local Rural King Store has Exide group 31 batteries on sale for $74.99.

If you are paying $120 you are getting ripped off. I think when I got mine back in about 2005 I paid $65.

Chris

 

[bjr]

Well, a little update. I did get the Group 31 and it fit great. I got the threaded stud on the top style. Put a 2x4 wood block (to space it out a little bit) on the back side (radiator side) and the original angle iron holder fit fine. I wound up buying from the new (now O'Rielly's, use to be Shucks) auto supply store. The best price our local Batteries only store was $151 with the WA state sales tax and the price out the door was $119 from O'Rielly's. It's a 1000 CCA, also. We'll see down the road if ORielly's raise there prices, but, for now it's a okay place to buy a few parts. Yeah, we kinda get hung out to dry around here, on parts, just too much money in the local economy. Oh, the tractor starts great now. bjr