Batteries for 2020 diesel

[DogT]

Today my batteries won't start the 2020. Two Walmart Maxx 34N, 36mo prorated warranty. I bought them in 2014 for about $100 ea. so they're 6 or 7 years old. I guess that's pretty good. It's about my only option locally unless I go to Autozone or a auto store. Supposedly 800CCA. I keep a smart manager on them full time. They've been fine until the last couple times this late winter and I removed them last week, checked the water which was OK and cleaned the terminals and greased the terminals up. But they appear gone. Didn't get a few rotations when it started clicking. And it's nearly 50F out today but it was below freezing last night. Anyone with better battery options for these diesel tractors?

I got 17 years out of my original 03 Dakota battery, I'm still on the 2nd one now. 12 years from my original Miata AGM Panasonic battery.

 

[deserteagle71]

Don't know what to tell you...replaced the Walmart Everstart battery that had been in my 2020 diesel for 13 years not long ago with another Everstart.
Many years ago when I was having trouble starting my 2020 it turned out to be the starter motor. Old and worn out and wouldn't spin the tractor's engine fast enough. I had the starter rebuilt, after that the tractor started fine.
Also, my 2020 is equipped with a tank heater. Anytime the temperature is below 50 degrees I plug it in for a half hour or so; it makes a huge difference.

 

[DogT]

Yeah, I replaced the starter in this tractor maybe 20 years ago, wasn't cheap. It was working fine just a few weeks ago, sort of, I did have to clean the terminals and plug in the heater. Like you say the heater does make a big difference, but it didn't today. I'll go in this week and get a couple new ones from WallyWorld. It seems about my best option locally. There's not much in the area here, and I'm sure if I went to the JD dealer it would be $500. But I may call them and a couple local auto stores just to check.

We used to have a good local tractor dealer here that would rebuild stuff (IH), but they left, now everything is from a catalogue or with the 2020 they tell me to go to an on line-store, they don't carry much fort the 2020 unless it crosses over to something newer. I can still get gaskets and stuff. Sometimes it's better on ebay though.

 

[deserteagle71]

It surprised me that your 2020 has two batteries. Mine has only one. Do both your batteries fit in the compartment in front of the dash and gauges?

I have no idea what the stock battery configuration was - bought my 2020 at a ranch auction in 1997.

 

[DogT]

Well, the parts book shows 2 batteries for the diesel. I think when I got it it only had one in it, but I think I got the right parts and put them in. I've had it since about '85 or so, I gave $5K for it but unknown to me it needed some work. It came with a front end 145 loader. Batteries sit side by side, long side to the left and right under that lid that opens up to get to them, but mostly I don't put the top cover or any covers actually on the tractor, I don't use it in the dust and it's a real pain to get to that stuff if the covers are on. Group size 34 as I've said before. The Wallyworld batteries are supposedly 800CCA. It fills up that battery area and sure makes for easy starting if they're charged and good. Parts book says only 1 battery for the gas 2020. I had a Mercedes 300D a long time ago that used a huge battery and it would eat them for lunch. Diesels must be harder to start.

 

[fried1765]

Yeah, I replaced the starter in this tractor maybe 20 years ago, wasn't cheap. It was working fine just a few weeks ago, sort of, I did have to clean the terminals and plug in the heater. Like you say the heater does make a big difference, but it didn't today. I'll go in this week and get a couple new ones from WallyWorld. It seems about my best option locally. There's not much in the area here, and I'm sure if I went to the JD dealer it would be $500. But I may call them and a couple local auto stores just to check.

We used to have a good local tractor dealer here that would rebuild stuff (IH), but they left, now everything is from a catalogue or with the 2020 they tell me to go to an on line-store, they don't carry much fort the 2020 unless it crosses over to something newer. I can still get gaskets and stuff. Sometimes it's better on ebay though.

Check the March edition of Consumer Reports.
They recommend the Wallyworld EverStart Max over the much more expensive and widely touted Interstate batteries.

 

[M5farms]

I converted to a single battery on my 2630 years ago. Just buy a heavy equipment battery don"t look back

 

[DogT]

Got a number for the heavy equipment battery, and specs?

 

[Tx Jim]

If this hasn't already been done I'll suggest to relocate battery ground cable attachment from battery box to starter mounting bolt. Over the yrs the battery box floor gets rusty & looses good continuity between BB floor & clutch housing.

 

[oosik]

I don't know about todays standard lead/acid batteries. For whatever reason they don't seem to be lasting as long. "Engineered Obsolescence??"

The OEM battery on my Ford lasted eleven years. Thereafter - things went progressively down hill.

I replaced my OEM battery on my new 2009 Kubota last year. Nine years. It was still good but I hate doing this type work in the dead of winter - soooo. Besides it's alway handy to have a big HD battery fully charged - just sitting around the shop.

Anyhow I went with a new Odyssey AGM. Group 31 - 1150 CCA. I keep a Deltran Battery Tender on it at all times.