Need new Batteries for vintage John Deere Crawler (light bulldozer)

[Robertesq1]

I called JD and the 2 required OEM batteries are $175 each plus tax and likely shipping. The specs seem pretty basic: Any reason not to buy a generic?? Thx in advance

WET CHARGED BATTERY
Part NumberTY21741B

Part Number: TY21741B
BCI: 30H
Volts: 12
CCA: 650
RC: 150
Ref.AH: 65
Terminal Type: A
Length – in.: 13
Width – in.: 6.75
Height – in.: 9.5
Core Units: 1.5
Warranty – month: 18

 

[Dftodd]

Someone else makes deeres batteries for them. So I don't really see the point of purchasing batteries from a dealer.

At work I have a battery supplier that keeps me stocked up.

For personal use, I just lug the batteries over to the local auto parts store.

I will say this. May folks are fans of Interstate batteries.

I'm not one of those people

Interstates quality has gone down hill over the years. I actually had them as a strategic supplier at work but switched last year. Their service sucks, and the batteries don't last any longer then the ones I get from the auto parts store or my new strategic supplier. Unless you find a brand that's actually made in the USA (and pay the extra price) Anything else you get now days is the cheap Chinese stuff with the companies sticker slapped on it.

 

[Roadworthy]

There is no reason not to use generic batteries. Of course they need to fit and note the terminal locations, voltage, and necessary amperage but beyond that a battery is pretty much a battery. Those are old fashioned lead acid batteries.

 

[rScotty]

Instead of two wet cells in parallel, you might give a single AGM a try.

We need to keep up the batteries on 4 trucks and three tractors. One truck and the JD310 take two maximum size batteries - but I've found either one works just as well on one battery if it is a good one. One battery sometimes works better than two, since two batteries in parallel always equalize to the state of the lesser of the two. So unless the two batteries are just the same and age the same then one battery is often better. We've still got two batteries in both two battery diesels, but we only hook up one at a time. That way we have a spare.

I've gone completely to AGM type. And have had good luck with the Interstate AGM batteries since 2019.

I have no idea who Interstate uses for their cheaper wet cell batteries, but the standard AGMs I've bought from them since about 2019 have outlasted the premium Odyssey, and Optima premium AGMs we used to buy.

AGMs cost more, but just not having to deal with the wet cell corrosion problems makes the prices closer.