New Battery for TN

Doc_Bob · Oct 8, 2006

My battery is almost 5 years old. Tractor (TN70A) was built 2002 and sold retail 2003. Tractor spent it's life in HOT Texas. Now, it lives in COLD Wisconsin for the last 3 months.

I am thinking I should get a new battery before this one dies during a cold spell. Battery has done well in 50-95 degree weather so far. I bought the tractor with 168 hr and now have 252 hours in 3 months. I hate buying a new battery when it is 10 degrees outside and everyone else is doing the same. I hate swapping out a battery in freezing weather.

So, where do you all suggest I get a new battery? Dealer? Farm and Fleet? TSC? Should I get a new battery? Same size? Bigger?
Bob

AndyMA · Oct 8, 2006

Bob if the battery is working fine, I wouldn't replace it until it dies. The original battery in my 2120 lasted almost 10 years. If I was replacing it I would use same size. Perhaps an Optima. The battery in my TN is 4 plus years old and works fine. It won't be replaced until it won't hold a charge.

Andy

PineRidge · Oct 9, 2006

Well Bob since you asked and we're spending your money why not go to Auto Zone and get one of them high priced Optima batteries for your ride?

A cheap WalMart battery will also work but like I said it's your money we're spending here so only the best will do.

DieselMonk · Oct 9, 2006

I wouldn't change the batterie just because of that, as long the tractor starts O.k. and the starter isn't slow or boggin due to the battery lacking on juice, I think she is still o.k. If you really wannu, you can take the batterie out and get it checked at either a shop that sells batteries or services cars, trucks and tractors. Those guys supposed to have a battry tester. Heck, the shop I go to has one and they can tell me how much CCA the battery will stilll do. That shouln't cost you anything or not much at all. My father in law has a 12 year old batterie (original) in his Ford Ranger. I find usually the batteries last around 5-8 years here in Nova Scotia before I replace one.

Chuck_Lind · Oct 9, 2006

Found out this summer a battery for the TN isn't so easy to find..unless you go down to your local Ferrari dealer.

It's a specialty battery made for "high-performance Italian sports cars". I found one at Dubois Battery in Dubois, Pa. Went through McGarvey Equipment in Reynoldsville, Pa to get one.

One important note on the battery..on the bottom, there is a "lip" that allows you to bolt a clamp on the battery so it doesn't tip over or get out of position. Just any old battery wouldn't fit correctly.

PineRidge · Oct 9, 2006

Chuck_Lind said:
Found out this summer a battery for the TN isn't so easy to find..unless you go down to your local Ferrari dealer.

It's a specialty battery made for "high-performance Italian sports cars". I found one at Dubois Battery in Dubois, Pa. Went through McGarvey Equipment in Reynoldsville, Pa to get one.

One important note on the battery..on the bottom, there is a "lip" that allows you to bolt a clamp on the battery so it doesn't tip over or get out of position. Just any old battery wouldn't fit correctly.

Chuck our 40D battery had the lip also and since we wanted to use an Optima we did this. On a 1 to 10 difficulty scale, 10 being the toughest I gave it a 3.

Doc_Bob · Oct 9, 2006

Chuck_Lind said:
Found out this summer a battery for the TN isn't so easy to find..unless you go down to your local Ferrari dealer.

It's a specialty battery made for "high-performance Italian sports cars". I found one at Dubois Battery in Dubois, Pa. Went through McGarvey Equipment in Reynoldsville, Pa to get one.

Any part numbers? Sports car? WOW!
Bob

Soundguy · Oct 9, 2006

You've done better than me, based on battery age ( but not hours ).

I had to repalce the battery in my 2002 7610s at the beginning of the year.. (800 hrs? ) I got mine from napa... big sucker. i'm glad the battery trays hinge and swing out.

I'd wait till I heard a labored/slow start.. then replace it after that initial indication.

Oh.. and don't go less cca... more .. yes.. less.. no.. big diesels require big cca.

Soundguy

Doc_Bob said:
My battery is almost 5 years old. Tractor (TN70A) was built 2002 and sold retail 2003. Tractor spent it's life in HOT Texas. Now, it lives in COLD Wisconsin for the last 3 months.

I am thinking I should get a new battery before this one dies during a cold spell. Battery has done well in 50-95 degree weather so far. I bought the tractor with 168 hr and now have 252 hours in 3 months. I hate buying a new battery when it is 10 degrees outside and everyone else is doing the same. I hate swapping out a battery in freezing weather.

So, where do you all suggest I get a new battery? Dealer? Farm and Fleet? TSC? Should I get a new battery? Same size? Bigger?
Bob

AndyMA · Oct 9, 2006

I'm not sure about the TN battery as I've never had mine out, but I suspected something when my TN came with a second battery tray and a couple of battery rods along with all the pins and other misc parts in a grain sack. The dealer told me it was in case I wanted to change battery types in the future.

Andy

LoneCowboy · Oct 9, 2006

Most batteries don't fail from old age anymore. they fail from a plate cracking which then creates a short and that's it, it won't hold a charge. You'll notice how 20 years ago batteries used to just get slower and slower and finally wouldn't turn it over. Now they just work fine one day and fail completely the next. It's that plate connection cracking.
I wouldn't buy a new one til the old one fails.