Another Kubota Battery Thread

[kmassing]

I was following Kyle's thread about his battery woes.
Well, Friday late afternoon I went out to use the B3200 (purchased May 2010) and just got a click when trying to start. I checked all the safety interlocks' cleaned the battery posts and connectors, same problem. Put a digital VM on the battery and saw that the voltage dropped to 0 when the switch was put to Start.
IME this indicated a dead or shorted cell. I checked that the 3200 would start when jumped to my truck, took the battery to have it checked and confirmed a shorted cell.
Calling around found that I could not find a correct case style and correct CSA from an auto parts store.
I called my dealer Saturday morning and cried and cussed some after finding the battery has a 1 year prorated warranty.
As usual my dealer took care of me, a new Interstate battery with a better warranty at his cost. And a free gallon of local buttermilk that he sells!
Seems to me that the OEM batter's leave something to be desired.

Ken

 

[BeezFun]

My battery lasted 5 hard winters in Illinois and was still walking, but wounded. So I can't complain about the battery. But it is annoying that the case is such an odd size, I really had a hard time finding a replacement that would fit, and as a result paid a premium. It seems odd that on a thing like a tractor which is styled like a square box and weight is desireable, that they have this odd little shaped battery compartment.

 

[bullbreaker]

My L3400(2007) is still on original battery.Sorry to hear about your battery woes .
Big Congrats though on what I feel was an intellegent purchase in chooseing a Kubota. :thumbsup:

I have a feeling that battery is going to be the only gripe you have about your Bota for a long time.

And no I'am not a Bota dealer,just bleed Bota orange(most of the time). :laughing:

Boone

 

[ultrarunner]

I wonder if Kubota switched OEM suppliers?

So far so good on my OEM going on 7 years...

 

[kmassing]

I wonder if Kubota switched OEM suppliers?

So far so good on my OEM going on 7 years...

That could be, hopefully this Interstate will last 12 years like the one I just changed in my Ram truck.

 

[ultrarunner]

That could be, hopefully this Interstate will last 12 years like the one I just changed in my Ram truck.

I've had real good luck with Interstate... Dad sold them for many years.

 

[slowzuki]

Same OEM battery, some Japanese brand. This will be its 9th winter, starts in -30 no block heater no problems. I can't remember the hours, 1300 or 1400?

 

[lakeside]

I bought a used G1800 1993 model in 1995. That battery finally died two years ago so 16 years aint" bad!

 

[5030]

I'm like Slowzuki. I never changed a battery in any of my numerous Kubota's (I believe I've had around 10 or so in the past 30 years)......:laughing:

The M9 and the 105 both have original batteries, sit out in the cold barn all winter and start right up if needed

The 9 is going on it's 5th birthday and the 105 is 3.

........and unlike Boomers, they don't pee battery acid that gets sucked into the radiator.....

 

[Ken45101]

My first Kubota (M4700) battery died at the one year mark. Dealer said one year warranty I went to the auto parts store and bought the best diesel truck battery they had. It was till running fine ten years later when I traded it.

I suspect that, at least on some models, the battery is installed when they assemble the tractor and the dealer uses the cheapest thing he can find

OTOH, my other Kubota stuff has been holding up fine. I replaced the B2710 battery at nine years I think. Maybe if it's an oddball size, they do install a Kubota battery, otherwise, what's ever cheap.

Ken

 

[KYDan]

The battery on my L2900 (sold it this year) lasted 10 years before it died. I had to modify the mount to get an off the shelf battery to fit, but that is only a minor problem. When I sold the tractor it was 14 years old and the battery was the only problem I ever had with it. Naturally, I bought another Kubota, I didn't even shop any other brands.

 

[gyro433]

Two winters in Canada with no plug in with the OEM battery and no problems.

Good luck with the new one.

 

[equipman]

Not true, all Kubota products come to the dealer with batteries installed even if they are in a crate.

 

[5030]

Not true, all Kubota products come to the dealer with batteries installed even if they are in a crate.

Never knew that. I wonder however... A battery is only as good as it's age so if it's installed in Japan and it sits in the unit over there for a time, gets shipped here and sits again, then gets shipped to a dealer and sits again, that's a whole bunch of time to allow sulphation of the plates and other detrimental things to occur.

The best poicy when buying a battery, any battery, is check the date code on the top, unless dry charged (you add acid). Dry charged is as new as you adding acid because no degradation has taken place prior to acid filling.

 

[slowzuki]

And the worst thing you can do to a battery is let it sit. In a machine that is used frequently it will last longer than one parked for months at a time.

 

[blackie65]

I have a 99 L3410 with a dead battery. Took it to dealer and he is having trouble finding one to replace it. Do most of you just get truck batteries to replace oem? Dealer said he could get something close $104

 

[MHarryE]

Best deal Caterpillar battery - if they have a size that fits. They have a no pro-rate policy. Have a 5 year battery warranty, battery fails at 4 years 10 months, you get a new battery no cost except returning the old Cat battery. Reason I heard is that no matter what, their suppliers cannot make a 100% foolproof battery for use in off-road equipment. Solution is to get batteries from the best suppliers you can find and face the music that you are going to have to replace a certain percentage. Keep it so the customer doesn't feel the pain.

 

[k0ua]

My old 2002 B7500 was traded in 2010. So 8 trouble free years, same battery. Never faltered.

James K0UA

 

[2458n]

I have had one Caterpillar battery and it lasted for years untill I killed it by leaving a key turned on for a month. Which company makes the batteries for them. I would gladly buy another if I did not have to pay for the Cat name.

 

[5030]

I have had one Caterpillar battery and it lasted for years untill I killed it by leaving a key turned on for a month. Which company makes the batteries for them. I would gladly buy another if I did not have to pay for the Cat name.

We sell them at the shop. I believe they are rebadged Exide. Cat is pretty synonomus with large wallet.