Best battery setup for late 4020

[bv]

What is the battery setup the the late 4020, I have a 70 and 72 model and I really don't like the factory skinny batteries and boxes under the platform but it came from the factory that way so is it better to have 2 12 volts hooked up and what brand would be the best and cranking amps, someone had built a metal box as a 3rd step on a 4020 that looked pretty good to me so opinions please?

 

[Scott 730]

I know I will be the odd man out but...................... I have had 1 skinny battery with heavy cables from Brillman on the left side of my 71 Diesel for over 5 years. It has never failed to start. If I need it in the winter it gets plugged in for 3-4 hours and starts with a tiny whiff of low volatile ether to help it out. IMO. YMMV.

 

[Tx Jim]

I think one could start late model 4020 with one 12 volt battery if ambient temperatures are not below 40 °F. Group 31 battery in a larger battery box would be my choice

 

[bv]

I think one could start late model 4020 with one 12 volt battery if ambient temperatures are not below 40 °F. Group 31 battery in a larger battery box would be my choice

that's what I was thinking my friend and I appreciate your valuable opinion!

 

[Tx Jim]

You're welcome

 

[mlauk]

I just built a battery box for my 4320 using a single group 31 battery. Starts great. No loader on the tractor. I also like the threaded battery posts.

 

[tim s]

I see all kinds of funky battery boxes come through here,,In my opinion the factory boxes work out best,,and yes one battery will do will most of the time,

 

[bv]

I see all kinds of funky battery boxes come through here,,In my opinion the factory boxes work out best,,and yes one battery will do will most of the time,

Are you saying 1 12 volt thin battery will work? I don’t use mine in the winter

 

[mlauk]

I can't answer for Tim S, but the 12 volt thin batteries 3ET have cold cranking amps of 460-500 amps, so two in parallel are around 920-1000 cca. The group 31-5 has 950 cca and the 31-6 has 1000 cca (at O'Reilly). One 3ET battery is about the same price as the group 31-5. I want to update my 4020 (with a loader) with a group 31 battery, but still trying to figure out the best mount.

 

[tim s]

Ooh yes.I'm not saying that the Group 31 battery is not better,,it's just that the larger battery gets in the way of a lot of things when they are mounted. The climate has a lot to do with CCA's....

 

[JD Dave]

It is way better to just leave it alone with two 3ET batteries. They are just fine in parallel for 12 volt from the original arrangment. The batteries are planted where the factory wanted them and you don't need to build/buy another bracket and have hanging cables outside the frame of the tractor. If you want steps, get the steps and forget a battery box.