New battery for the 2520

jdbower · Sep 3, 2009

My first real issue! Last week I went to start up the tractor. I turned the key to ACC and got the clicking for a few seconds, then when I went to start it a bigger click and nothing. I checked the fuse and it tested OK but the battery was reading 11V. I hadn't noticed anything wrong prior to this but the battery's just shy of its fourth birthday and it hasn't lead a very easy life - low hours on the tractor, idle most of the cold winter without a trickle charger, running a power inverter and a 12V chainsaw sharpener, etc. Luckily no corrosion or leaking at all.

I brought over my truck and was able to jump it and get mowing, but the PTO indicator kept flickering so there was no way I was going to shut off the engine until I was done. To keep things interesting I was running on fumes and had no extra diesel on hand, but I made it through the mowing session. After I pulled into the garage and turned it off I tried to start it up again and got nothing. The battery levels looked fine so when I was in Costco i picked up a 51R Yellow Top Optima. $119 plus a $25 rebate that probably put it close to the OEM price range. It fits in the compartment just fine but you'll need to fashion a strap to hold it in place.

Assuming there's no short in the system that drained the original battery I'm a happy camper again. And with the yellow top I can still start the tractor if I flip it upside down!

kennyd · Sep 3, 2009

The Optima was a good choice...any mods to make it fit?

jdbower · Sep 3, 2009

No major mods. The Optima footprint is slightly smaller than the OEM battery but it doesn't have the same ledge that the clamps latch onto so you need to secure it. For now I've got some bungees holding it on, but next time I hit Home Despot I'll pick up some duct strapping to clamp it down a little more securely, but for mowing it's pretty solid as is.

Cocre · Sep 3, 2009

I bought a perfect fit battery for my 3320 from NAPA for around $100. The only thing yellow about it is the NAPA sticker on the front of the battery, but it works and I am happy.

x595 · Sep 4, 2009

Jeff , I've had the Optima Yellow Top D-51 (positive post on the left) for a little over 3 years in my JD X595 and I'm very happy with it , awesome Battery , a true maintenance free/vibration free Battery ... Good luck ...

Later,x595

kennyd · Sep 4, 2009

x595 said:
a true maintenance free/vibration free Battery ...

Yeah, you sure don't want any of those vibrating batteries on your tractor

Just kidding, I know what you meant.

Beavis · Sep 8, 2009

I've got a new battery coming tomorrow for my 3320. The dealer wanted $86 and the Exide battery outlet (which is where my dealer would get the battery) wants $56.

I was doing dirtwork last night and took a short break only to have the tractor not start. I jumped it and worked for another hour (with the dash lights flickering) before putting it away for the night. It wouldn't even think about starting this AM. Battery tested between 9.4 and 9.7 volts today but wouldn't hold steady; it kept bouncing back and forth.

47chevy · Sep 16, 2009

The battery in our 2520 died also. I had started the tractor, moved it about 400ft. Shut it off, talked to the wife, tried to start it, nothing anywhere. After about 30 minutes of checking out things I came to the conclusion bad battery. It was 6pm and went to wally world no battery in stock. Called JD the next morning they had one in stock, my battery had 1 year of warranty left. Cost me $78 out the door.

ragkar · Sep 17, 2009

A handy purchase for cold weather is a jump start power pack. At 23 pounds it's not to heavy to carry into the field in an emergency.
I got this one: - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
I carry it behind the seats of my pickup.

The compressor is not too good. It's low volume and you can only operate it for a short while, two minutes I think, before cool off.