MF 135 (Diesel) Battery Sizing

[mml373]

Curious to know what size batteries (physical dimensions/form factor) fit the MF135. I have a 34/78 PRM (O'Reilly Auto Parts) with 690CCA that is about to die. Looking for an 800CCA battery that will fit this tractor. I do not want to go with AGM types such as Optima because they may not charge adequately at the RPMs and durations that I run this tractor.

 

[Jim.ME]

The link below should take you to a Battery Council International (BCI) battery chart that shows terminal arrangements and the sizes for the different group batteries. Find you current battery to start with then you can find the groups close in size and layout. Or you can check a group sizing if you have the group number of one you think might fit.

BCI battery chart

 

[Ray,IN]

Keep in mind, using the same size case and increasing CCA usually means the plates are thinner and battery does not last as long, especially in a farm tractor. I always used a Gp 31 battery, with the correct post locations; neg post should be on the correct side. It's not a bad idea to replace cables at the same time as battery.
Apparently Batteries Plus has about 8 different battery sizes that fit into a MF 135 w/ diesel engine. https://www.batteriesplus.com/battery/farm-equipment/massey=ferguson/mf-135-farm

 

[mml373]

Thanks, guys. Looking like maybe a Gp 48 battery with 730 CCA would be adequate and better than what's currently in there. Do we typically need to buy a reverse-terminal battery for these tractors or is a standard battery configuration appropriate?

 

[Jim.ME]

Thanks, guys. Looking like maybe a Gp 48 battery with 730 CCA would be adequate and better than what's currently in there. Do we typically need to buy a reverse-terminal battery for these tractors or is a standard battery configuration appropriate?

Battery cables can get changed over time and may not be long enough to work one way or the other. The chart I linked for you shows the different terminal locations. I would look at my battery cables and see if the length of the cables will fit the straight or reverse terminal arrangements, or maybe they will reach the terminals in either location.

 

[mml373]

Battery cables can get changed over time and may not be long enough to work one way or the other. The chart I linked for you shows the different terminal locations. I would look at my battery cables and see if the length of the cables will fit the straight or reverse terminal arrangements, or maybe they will reach the terminals in either location.

So a question on the cables...the original parts are no longer produced. Anything I need to know before making my own or have some made? Gauge, conductor type, etc.? I assume I can remove the old cables and start from there. It seems like the clamps are too big for the posts used on the 34/78 battery. Am I good to go with the Group 48 size and do these different sized batteries have different post sizes?

Frustration is that the nuts for these were near impossible to grab with a socket. I'm going to try to find better clamps with more easily accessible nuts...

 

[Ericp351]

OO is, are, great. O IS FINE. No such thing as a too large or over quality cable. Avoid the quick ends that just clamp on (terminals). If original wires are heavy, quality eyes and terminals exist.

 

[Non-farmer]

Frustration is that the nuts for these were near impossible to grab with a socket.

This is a characteristic shared by every good cable end I can remember dealing with. Use an open end wrench.

 

[Jim.ME]

So a question on the cables...the original parts are no longer produced. Anything I need to know before making my own or have some made? Gauge, conductor type, etc.? I assume I can remove the old cables and start from there. It seems like the clamps are too big for the posts used on the 34/78 battery. Am I good to go with the Group 48 size and do these different sized batteries have different post sizes?

Frustration is that the nuts for these were near impossible to grab with a socket. I'm going to try to find better clamps with more easily accessible nuts...

The posts on batteries are pretty much standard sizes across the common American automotive groups. The BCI chart shows the 34/78 groups could have slightly different size posts as the group 48 you are looking at. Some foreign auto batteries have slightly smaller posts.

I generally use box end wrenches on the nuts on battery cable clamps as there is not clearance enough for the heads of my ratchets to allow straight-on placement of sockets. Post type clamps are about all that way. Get clamps with actual battery nuts, those have a shouldered area to space the hex away from the clamp a bit.

1/0 cables will be fine for a MF 135 diesel engine.

If the old cables reach, they can be used as patterns to make the new cables by. Use crimp on or soldered on cable ends, not the clamp-on type battery post ends.

 

[Ray,IN]

The posts on batteries are pretty much standard sizes across the common American automotive groups. The BCI chart shows the 34/78 groups could have slightly different size posts as the group 48 you are looking at. Some foreign auto batteries have slightly smaller posts.

I generally use box end wrenches on the nuts on battery cable clamps as there is not clearance enough for the heads of my ratchets to allow straight-on placement of sockets. Post type clamps are about all that way. Get clamps with actual battery nuts, those have a shouldered area to space the hex away from the clamp a bit.

1/0 cables will be fine for a MF 135 diesel engine.

If the old cables reach, they can be used as patterns to make the new cables by. Use crimp on or soldered on cable ends, not the clamp-on type battery post ends.

View attachment 167169

I add a flat under that nut to prevent it from wearing into the clamp.
Were I to make 6V battery cables today, I'd use welding cable, it's much more flexible and easier to work. The neg. flat-braided strap is still sold.

 

[mml373]

Thoughts on this battery? https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BAV317237

Looks like upgrading to Group 31 is common. They're pretty tall, however (9+ inches in height). This one has 925CCA...much higher than what it is replacing. Is that too much?

 

[Ericp351]

If a 31 fits, that would be a great choice. I run 2 in my 5 ton. Lots of competition. Note, you can get them with sae posts or studs, nuts.

 

[mml373]

If a 31 fits, that would be a great choice. I run 2 in my 5 ton. Lots of competition. Note, you can get them with sae posts or studs, nuts.

Got it. Went with threaded posts and am having cables made. Steel ends...because that's what NAPA can do with the equipment they have. Looking forward to have a tractor that starts...

 

[Ray,IN]

Thoughts on this battery? https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BAV317237

Looks like upgrading to Group 31 is common. They're pretty tall, however (9+ inches in height). This one has 925CCA...much higher than what it is replacing. Is that too much?

My tractor calls in 750 CCA, the battery tray will hold a much larger battery, but why spend the money when unneeded? When around 10°F or lower the Perkins needs help to start, I have a tiny Lithium battery pack that helps start the engine fine on those rare occasions.

 

[mml373]

Keep in mind, the same size case only holds so much. As the CCA increases the plate thickness decreases, which equates to shorter battery lifespan. I do not buy more CCA than the engine owners manual specifies for that reason.

Understood. This battery has good reviews. I got less than 4 years out of the smaller battery it has replaced, so I'll evaluate how this one does and adjust.

 

[Ron(Ont)]

I have a Group 31 in my MF165. It seems to fit well.

 

[mml373]

I have a Group 31 in my MF165. It seems to fit well.

Got it in, but needed a shoe spoon <haha>. It took some wiggling into the space but it made it. Having 2/0 leads made. Threaded posts. This will be a big improvement to the tractor.

 

[m16ty]

Keep in mind, using the same size case and increasing CCA usually means the plates are thinner and battery does not last as long, especially in a farm tractor. I always used a Gp 31 battery, with the correct post locations; neg post should be on the correct side. It's not a bad idea to replace cables at the same time as battery.
Apparently Batteries Plus has about 8 different battery sizes that fit into a MF 135 w/ diesel engine. https://www.batteriesplus.com/battery/farm-equipment/massey=ferguson/mf-135-farm

I always use group 31 screw tops (much better than post) where I can, but I don’t think a 31 will fit in the compartment on a 135.

I’ve got a MF40 which has the same engine and is very similar to a 135. I have a group 24 battery in it with 650 cca. Never had a problem with that battery starting the little 3 cylinder Perkins.

 

[mml373]

I always use group 31 screw tops (much better than post) where I can, but I don’t think a 31 will fit in the compartment on a 135.

I’ve got a MF40 which has the same engine and is very similar to a 135. I have a group 24 battery in it with 650 cca. Never had a problem with that battery starting the little 3 cylinder Perkins.

I can 100% confirm a 31 screw top will fit in the battery compartment on a 135 diesel. I have a brand new one there on my 135.

You have to do some wiggling to line it up, but it will drop right in once you do. Should come straight out when it's time to change again.

 

[m16ty]

I can 100% confirm a 31 screw top will fit in the battery compartment on a 135 diesel. I have a brand new one there on my 135.

You have to do some wiggling to line it up, but it will drop right in once you do. Should come straight out when it's time to change again.

I don’t think one would fit in my MF40, it might fit the compartment but I don’t think it would fit through the door. Best I remember the group 24 barely fit through the door.