Battery recommendations for lawn tractor

[rustythread]

Once again, the aftermarket battery in my Kubota B7200 HST diesel lawn tractor has expired at the same time as the one-year warranty. The tractor is probably 30 years old.
I don't mind paying more and getting better quality. Ability to crank a cold diesel engine, and ability to hold a good charge when not in use essential. I will be installing a battery tender.

Does anyone have recommendations for either particular brand or criteria (such as CCA, Ah, etc ) to look for?

 

[WardenRoss]

Just a side note: I use a Battery Tender (same as on my motorcycles) and I get about eight-years out of an Autozone mower battery in my zero-turn.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I've got a Kubota, not a diesel, and I just buy what the local Kubota dealer stocks . . .

Once again, the aftermarket battery in my Kubota lawn tractor has expired at the same time as the one-year warranty. The tractor is a Kubota diesel, probably 30 years old.
I don't mind paying more and getting better quality. Ability to crank a cold diesel engine, and ability to hold a good charge when not in use essential. I will be installing a trickle charge battery tender.

Does anyone have recommendations for either particular brand or criteria (such as CCA, Ah, etc ) to look for?

 

[Alton]

Interstate has been my go to for lawn tractors

 

[MRB1]

I get about three years off of batteries from Tractor Supply. They're half what I'd have to pay at Kubota, and have plenty of starting amps. I keep a solar panel attached during the winter months and have never had a problem.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Interstate and Exide have been 2 of the top brands for decades. There are other good ones as well.

 

[hittman77]

Interstate or Dura-Last Gold from Auto Zone.
I've had excellent luck with both.

 

[4barrel]

My first Kubota battery lasted 8 years. My next one will be a dry cell.

 

[double-dipper]

I have two Fords, an 8N and a 9N both converted to 12 volt. I get what ever TSC or wally world has. I get about 5-6 years out of a battery.

 

[max]

I don't know where you are, but I would recommend Farm & Fleet or Rural King. Buy the most powerful battery that will fit in your tractor.

 

[snake803]

I don't know if they make the smaller size batteries, but all of my full size 12 volt jobs are "BULL DOG" they hold a good charge, and seem to last forever...
JIM............

 

[djohns6]

NEVER let the battery discharge to the point that the tractor won't turn over . You said you were going to install a Battery Tender . That will extend the life for sure . Crank it up once a week and let it run for a few minutes .

 

[rustythread]

Thanks, all

Thanks for all the suggestions and info.


Settled for the Autozone Duralast gold. Got it all hooked up today, along with the NAPA battery tender. Lawn too soggy to mow yet, so I'll tow my little trailer out to the road and shovel up the long pile of gravel slung onto my lawn by the township snow plow...Grrr.

 

[hittman77]

My experience is that the Battery Tender has almost doubled the life of the batteries in my Harleys.

 

[Jon651]

My two cents is that if you are sticking with a lead-acid battery (whether "sealed" or with the caps to fill it), the most important thing you can do is get a quality battery maintainer. I use the "Battery Saver" from Granite Digital, which charges, maintains, monitors and reconditions - and I use them on all of my things with batteries - from my '68 el Camino to my lawn tractor, my Harley and even my wife's Vespa scooter. I've used them religiously, and provided I keep an eye on the fluid level it will more than triple the life span of any battery I have one attached to.

I just replaced the battery in my lawn tractor and it was dated 2015 - and I used to replace that one every season, even when I used other trickle chargers on it. And I've tried quite a few others, from the cheapies from Harbor Freight to the expensive maintainers for marine deep-cycle batteries. So far the Battery Savers from Granite Digital have shown to be remarkably superior.