Tractor Battery Question

[Fawteen]

The Trusty Cabota, which will be 11 years old in April, is showing signs of needing a new battery. A bit of investigation reveals that it's a Group 51R (anode/cathode reversed to fit tractor wiring).

NAPA would happily sell me one for $260, or WalMart for $150 (after core return). While I'd rather buy once and cry once, I frequently hear Good Things about the Everstart brand from Wally World. NAPA Legend brand has been a little hit-and-miss for me.

Advice/Experience with various brands and sources appreciated.

 

[wh]

Have had great success with both. Use the legend battery in the cx90. Have not gotten less than 9 years out of one. Use the wal marts in the Super A and H. Usually get 6 plus years from them. Best i ever know on battery is wifes 2008 smart car. We got it from her sister 6 years ago. Decided last year the battery sounded a little weak. Went and bought a battery. In taking the old one out discovered it was original to car. 2008 to 2024. HARD to believe!! It was some kind of brand from germany. As to your question, i guess it just depends on availability and how easy to install. Hard to install, i would err to whatever i thought was best battery.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

I’d try the Walmart one myself been going that route more often I’ve also had the same hit or miss with napa batteries

Often I’ve done napa on vehicles going down the road because the website is up already and they are searchable by license plate. Lazy I know but it’s simple

 

[JoeM(GA)]

I’ve been running the Walmart Maxx in both my diesel dually and my Ford backhoe, got 6 years out of the last set in dually, then I take one of them and put in my chipper, the other goes in one of the tractors, then 5heir old ones are my cores. I have a Walmart close, they keep a good fresh stock at good prices, and the only time I had one fail, they were great about giving me another without a lot of BS. NAPA always tried to get out of replacing theirs.

 

[Mule Meat]

Everstart batteries are built by East Penn, Excide and Clarios. All make good batteries.
I haven't had any problems with Everstart batteries in the higher CCA range (750+). The smaller CCA batteries doesn't seem to hold up long.

Earlier in the year. Clarios (based in WI) announced that they plan to invest around $3 billion for manufacturing and recycling in the US over the next few years.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

I have had great success with Walmart batteries. Not very good with NAPA and way overpriced.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

I’ve been running the Walmart Maxx in both my diesel dually and my Ford backhoe, got 6 years out of the last set in dually, then I take one of them and put in my chipper, the other goes in one of the tractors, then 5heir old ones are my cores. I have a Walmart close, they keep a good fresh stock at good prices, and the only time I had one fail, they were great about giving me another without a lot of BS. NAPA always tried to get out of replacing theirs.

Same experience here, no BS at Walmart, just a new battery.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

Why is it the battery in any new vehicle or tractor will last for 10 years and the best replacement you can get is only good for 5 years at best?

 

[Mule Meat]

Why is it the battery in any new vehicle or tractor will last for 10 years and the best replacement you can get is only good for 5 years at best?

I think a lot of it has to do with people buying the bare minimum when replacing a battery. Myself I buy the largest size and highest CCA battery that will fit in the battery box. Then fully charge it before installing.. The higher the CCA the less strain on a battery when cranking an engine or running accessories. I normally get ten years out of batteries with 850 or more CCA.

 

[38 Sears Roebuck]

I've had very good results with Deka batteries. NAPA has been supplying them under their name. Before I would buy them directly from the battery supply house. Good luck with anything these days as quality is out the door.

 

[JOCCO]

Fawteen, Merry xmas, I can't add much to it on the Napa and Wall-Martians. But look around for excide or Deka Truck shops and the fishing fleet near you. You might be limited on that size. Other car parts places might have other options Oriles, Carquest, Autozone. Home depo and TSC sell them too. But do consider Warranty service

 

[JOCCO]

Why is it the battery in any new vehicle or tractor will last for 10 years and the best replacement you can get is only good for 5 years at best?

Always wondered that myself.

 

[wh]

Never had to warranty a napa battery. Used 4dlt from there in our fords. Current cx90 uses a large size (do not know size group). Get replacement at napa. I have used warranty at wal mart. Never been a problem there. Agree with mule meat - buy the biggest amp that will fit. Keep charging system in order. Keep cables clean.

 

[buickanddeere]

The Trusty Cabota, which will be 11 years old in April, is showing signs of needing a new battery. A bit of investigation reveals that it's a Group 51R (anode/cathode reversed to fit tractor wiring).

NAPA would happily sell me one for $260, or WalMart for $150 (after core return). While I'd rather buy once and cry once, I frequently hear Good Things about the Everstart brand from Wally World. NAPA Legend brand has been a little hit-and-miss for me.

Advice/Experience with various brands and sources appreciated.

Highest CCA and highest AH battery that will fit in the battery box.

 

[Ken Combs]

My little jd455, little bitty tractor,big lawnmower, uses the same battery. I’ve owned it for about 20 years and on my third battery. Walmart first, Atwood’s (farm store) most recent. I’ve experienced no real difference between brands in any vehicle over the years. Except my only failure before the end of warranty was an Interstate.

 

[da.bees]

Why is it the battery in any new vehicle or tractor will last for 10 years and the best replacement you can get is only good for 5 years at best?

Always wondered that myself.

This must be you fellers' lucky day because I think I have the answer. After 10 years of wear and tear plus effects of weather a tractor is probably fraught with little problems here and there that effect electrical system, wiring and alternator being at top of list.

 

[38 Sears Roebuck]

I also keep battery tenders on them when not in use. I believe this is a big help to the longevity of the batteries.

 

[ss55]

The Trusty Cabota, which will be 11 years old in April, is showing signs of needing a new battery. A bit of investigation reveals that it's a Group 51R (anode/cathode reversed to fit tractor wiring).

NAPA would happily sell me one for $260, or WalMart for $150 (after core return). While I'd rather buy once and cry once, I frequently hear Good Things about the Everstart brand from Wally World. NAPA Legend brand has been a little hit-and-miss for me.

Advice/Experience with various brands and sources appreciated.

I think Walmart offers four levels of Everstart auto batteries: Value; Plus; Maxx; and Platnum ( AGM ). I have had good service from the Maxx line, as good or better than NAPA Gold batteries.

For me it has paid off to measure the battery compartment, determine the largest group sizes that will fit, then buy the highest CCA battery in the range of group sizes that will fit. If say the manufacturer recommends a 500 CCA battery, often a five or six year old 750 CCA battery will still deliver well over 500 CCA and still have a few more years of good service left in it.

 

[miner09]

Had a NAPA battery on Chevy pickup. Four months old and if you didn’t drive it every day it wouldn’t start. Had it checked said it’s ok. Told them it was bad. No replacement. Drove fifty miles to another NAPA store said it just needed a little charge. Alternator checked ok. No other problems. Took cables off battery for two days wouldn’t start. NAPA said it was good and they couldn’t warrant it. Bought battery at local Atwoods ( Exide). No problems since. No more NAPA anything for me

 

[Hobo,NC]

At this time I am not seeing one battery brand that sticks out as bad. I don't see Interstates much anymore as most independent shops have dumped them. The vehicles I see that have battery problems are those that are not driven much. When I run across a battery I don't stock I tell folks Walmart has the best price I have no problem recommending a Walmart battery. My sales are local most all will wait a day for me to have a battery delivered. A lot of vehicles today are labor extensive to install a battery so the customer will wait on me.