Can of worms

[Dale Finch]

Also, check the date on the battery you are buying.

[sdurnal]

Was just noticing the other day, the battery in my only Cub says 2007. It is a Rural King battery, and was in it when I got it. Might be of interest to some.. (6V) I start it weekly, making sure to observe the gauge, and rev up to make sure it's charging.. A trickle in extremely cold weather to ensure it will "go" to plow snow. Inside, yes, but no heat in the open-ended barn.. (Indiana)

[SundaySailor]

Also, check the date on the battery you are buying.

Good call! My eyes aren't what they used to be. I didn't even notice the label on the battery I bought at autozone - the very last one this particular store had.

Glad I checked back here and went back to check the battery. It had a label of 11/13 - not good at all. I managed to take the battery with my receipt to another Autozone, and they exchanged it for me, no extra charge.

Wally World didn't have any batteries for my Cub, and the closest Tractor Supply to me was also out, so Autozone became my last resort.

I did get Autozone to test the new battery, and it checked out good. I now need to get it fully installed and check my charging with my DMM.

Thanks again for all your help folks. It does help.

SS

[bythepond88]

FWIW, I bought my current battery from AutoZone, and (touch wood) it is still going strong 3 years later.

[Bus Driver]

The distinct advantage of buying the highest cold cranking ampere rating possible for your battery size is (possible) longer service life. As batteries age, the available cranking amperes declines. At some point in the future, that ampere value will be lower than your machine requires and replacement will be necessary. The higher initial amperes rating moves the date of inadequacy farther into the future, other things being equal. But the higher amperes rating sometimes comes at a significant price increase and that may not be a bargain.
An aged battery that is inadequate for a Diesel might still work for a gasoline engine. But the battery might not fit the battery tray.

[danovercash]

Recently had to replace the battery in my truck. Everybody wanted well over $100. Went to the local parts house and bought an OEM battery for $85+tax and exchange. One year full replacement warranty. I figure with the other batteries you are just paying extra for a pro-rated warranty. My Chevy likes Delco parts anyways.

[Teakettle]

We have a number of tractors around here, and often one of them won't get used for four or five months but then will be needed a lot. I've found that Optima batteries (and yes, I know they're expensive) are a better solution than having maintainers plugged in all over the place. I have been getting 7-8 years out of them.