Dumb Battery Question.

[iplumb]

Hi, guys. My 2009 Kubota B2920 Battery is finally getting to weak to start my Kubota in cold weather after only 10 Years! Pretty amazing. Anyway went shopping for a replacement is there anything special about a battery for a Diesel engine? Of just Match the class and CCA. Oh and how do I get another battery to last 10 years!

 

[ultrarunner]

OEM Kubota batteries have delivered some amazing longevity... I still have the original from 2004 in my BX

Some batteries for garden equipment are real cheap... but they seem to only last a 2-3 seasons.

If you match what you have you will be good...

I have never priced a replacement from Kubota and who knows if the batteries source has changed?

 

[WranglerX]

MY personal belief is to get highest CCA you can afford (that will fit battery holder)... Minimally get one with same specs as original...

Batteries recently manufactured just don't seem to have life of batteries manufactured years ago.... Becoming very Leary of "house brands" of FLAPS...

Dale

 

[YLee Kioti]

Ten years eh consider yourself blessed.
OEM batteries are a cost benefit ratio.
Get the highest CCA for the frame size of battery and you're good to go.
If you have more then a month down time use a charger with a desulfate/reconditioner feature.
Use distilled water always to keep cells topped off.
Don't spend a lot of time overthinking this; such as 'the best' there is.
Buy from a place where you can get service, if need be. My bias is my local NAPA dealer.
Yours will be according to your local businesses you're comfort factor.
You got your money's worth, heh.

 

[Egon]

MY personal belief is to get highest CCA you can afford (that will fit battery holder)... Minimally get one with same specs as original...

Batteries recently manufactured just don't seem to have life of batteries manufactured years ago.... Becoming very Leary of "house brands" of FLAPS...



Dale[/QUOTE



As per. Make sure it is a rough duty one.

 

[laurencen]

one thing I have noticed, cheaper batteries of the same CCA are generally lighter than the original, this would equate to less lead for the cells,

 

[oosik]

My 2009 Kubota M6040 takes a group 31 battery. I replaced it last year with an Odyssey AGM battery. The OEM battery is kept around the shop for jump starts on other equipment. I keep a Deltran battery maintainer on the tractor battery all winter.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I had to replace my OEM battery on my 2009 B26 last year because it was getting weak. I got the largest CCA battery from NAPA I could get that was the same size which was the biggest that would fit in the box. I dont expect it to last 9 years like the OEM but who knows, it could. Replacing batteries lately has a big drain on my bank account since even the tiny motorcycle battery still cost $100 and some for my tractors and truck cost nearly $150.
I did find a replacement for my motorcycle that is an AGM nano gel (whatever that means) for $99 and free shipping. It has 500 CCA compared to other batteries of its size of 350 CCA. Only time will tell if it last more than 1 year.

 

[fruitcakesa]

I had to replace my OEM battery on my 2009 B26 last year because it was getting weak. I got the largest CCA battery from NAPA I could get that was the same size which was the biggest that would fit in the box. I dont expect it to last 9 years like the OEM but who knows, it could. Replacing batteries lately has a big drain on my bank account since even the tiny motorcycle battery still cost $100 and some for my tractors and truck cost nearly $150.
I did find a replacement for my motorcycle that is an AGM nano gel (whatever that means) for $99 and free shipping. It has 500 CCA compared to other batteries of its size of 350 CCA. Only time will tell if it last more than 1 year.

The old Mercedes battery I had been using in my VW TDI finally quit in the sub zero temps we are having.
New 800CCA battery Big sucker from AA. They had a 25% off coupon so I got it for $120 OTD

 

[sixdogs]

If your tractor bounces around a lot get a commercial or ag rated battery that will handle that stress. That's one of the keys to battery longevity. I either do that or buy an AGM battery like an Optima Red. Keep them charged up with a modern "smart" charger like a Genius, especially in the fall and winter, and the right battery these days will go a long time.

 

[John_Mc]

Whether simply buying the biggest CCA rating that will fit makes sense depends on your usage. Generally, designing a battery for maximum CCA has an adverse effect on whether it can deep cycle without damage (the exception to this is some types of AGM batteries, which seem to be able to do both). Conversely, many deep cycle batteries can't handle the large surge currents required by some starting applications. Max CCA may be what you want, if your only significant electrical load is starting and running a couple of lights, but if you are regularly running a 12V winch of any significant size, you will be drawing your battery down a good bit, since few tractor alternators can keep up with the draw of a winch. This will shorten the life of most lead acid starting batteries.

 

[Trillium Farm]

My 2009 Kubota M6040 takes a group 31 battery. I replaced it last year with an Odyssey AGM battery. The OEM battery is kept around the shop for jump starts on other equipment. I keep a Deltran battery maintainer on the tractor battery all winter.

Even though the Odyssey is one of the best if not the best battery, it still is not an agricultural battery and this is what you need for tractor work. CCA is good, but a high reserve is also critical in a diesel. Tractor batteries not only need cranking power but also need deep-cycle service that delivers more amp-hours (AH), which describes how much power the battery can provide over a given length of time. I would always get a battery from a tractor supply store just to be sure.

 

[WranglerX]

Another battery to look at is Odyssey.... I have big 850 CCA in my Jeep because I use winch at times... IT been amazing...

ODYSSEY Battery - Official Manufacturer's Site

Dale

 

[John_Mc]

Even though the Odyssey is one of the best if not the best battery, it still is not an agricultural battery and this is what you need for tractor work. CCA is good, but a high reserve is also critical in a diesel. Tractor batteries not only need cranking power but also need deep-cycle service that delivers more amp-hours (AH), which describes how much power the battery can provide over a given length of time. I would always get a battery from a tractor supply store just to be sure.

Odyssey is an AGM battery. A lot depends on the design decisions that went in to the specific model of battery under consideration, but AGM batteries in general (even "starting" batteries) tend to be more tolerant of discharge cycles than the conventional flooded lead acid batteries. They are also generally more tolerant of vibration and have a lower "self discharge" rate (the rate at which they discharge just sitting there, even with nothing connected) than conventional batteries.

I've had an Optima Yellow-top in my tractor for just shy of 3 years years now with very good results so far. It was purchased off of Amazon. It's already lasted as long as the previous two OEM replacement batteries. (Bought from the same dealer from whom I bought my tractor: each died within about 3 years).

I was fortunate: I got my Optima before the almost 50% price increase went though a couple of years ago. It was also before the rash of quality problems happened. (Some believe the quality problems were related to the move of their production facilities to Mexico. Whether that was related to the old plant having issues as it was being shut down, or startup pains at the new one is unclear. There are some indications - just from individuals' reports - that current product seems to have gotten the quality level back up to where it once was.)

 

[Diggin It]

Ustacould put in a disconnect for those long down times so there was no load on the battery. With all the electronical gadgets and whatnots now, does that harm the machines?

 

[doneill127]

From consumer reports: Most aftermarket car batteries sold in the U.S. are made by three companies that build them for retailers: Johnson Controls, which supplies more than half of the market; Exide; and East Penn. They are sold under various names and built to the specifications of retailers, so performance can vary.
I just replaced mine with an Interstate battery from Costco for $72. Same group size and higher cca than the oem (exide). Compared to the other pricing all above $100 seemed like a real bargain.

 

[Trillium Farm]

From consumer reports: Most aftermarket car batteries sold in the U.S. are made by three companies that build them for retailers: Johnson Controls, which supplies more than half of the market; Exide; and East Penn. They are sold under various names and built to the specifications of retailers, so performance can vary.
I just replaced mine with an Interstate battery from Costco for $72. Same group size and higher cca than the oem (exide). Compared to the other pricing all above $100 seemed like a real bargain.

This is true, but these manufacturers run also batch-making so that they'll make batch for so & so often to their specs, the single most important factor in pricing is LEAD, so if you see a battery that is substantially cheaper chances are that the lead in the cells will be a lot less than in the more expensive one.

 

[WranglerX]

Want to know/learn a lot about batteries.....

Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 219

Dale

 

[radios1]

Deka and interstate are very good brands..

 

[sdquick]

Want to know/learn a lot about batteries.....

Car and Deep Cycle Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 219

Dale

Good info, thanks!