batteries...
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=160435
Printed Date: 27 Jul 2025 at 1:47pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: batteries...
Posted By: shameless dude
Subject: batteries...
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 5:33pm
| went out to the shed the other day, tried to start the 180D after sitting all winter...fired right off! WooHoo! then went out yesterday to use it, and it would barley turn over and did not start....PffffT! cleaned all the terminals on battery and starter, checked over the cables, put the charger on a bit...nope, won't start. o-k...took the battery out, shows free replacement within 12 months time. this one is 13 months old. went to where I bought it, they tested it, and told me the battery is fine! uh...no...it isn't. told them I wanted to trade this one in for a new one and they did trade me, cost me about $47. for a $99. battery. took it home, topped it off with the charger and put it in, the tractor popped right off running! WooHoo again! |
Replies:
Posted By: DennisA (IL)
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 5:40pm
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That's why I no longer buy the lead acid battery's. As they go bad I replace with AGM's. I have never had a AGM go bad yet and the oldest one is 20 years old and works like new yet. ------------- Thanks & God Bless Dennis |
Posted By: tractorboy
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 5:45pm
| dennis, what the heck is a AGM batt. ???? thanks keith |
Posted By: Gatz in NE
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 5:56pm
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google is so easy... https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/autocraft-platinum-agm-battery-group-size-401-180-cca-aux12/10888639-p?c3ch=PLA&c3nid=10888639-P&adtype=pla_with_promotion&gclid=CjwKCAjw-4_mBRBuEiwA5xnFIKiDILFJAKJuhSOxnac0SRzoiGzQYDRmvl2OHglKrLExMvKUmbpb3RoCFFYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" rel="nofollow - https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/autocraft-platinum-agm-battery-group-size-401-180-cca-aux12/10888639-p?c3ch=PLA&c3nid=10888639-P&adtype=pla_with_promotion&gclid=CjwKCAjw-4_mBRBuEiwA5xnFIKiDILFJAKJuhSOxnac0SRzoiGzQYDRmvl2OHglKrLExMvKUmbpb3RoCFFYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds |
Posted By: DennisA (IL)
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 6:14pm
This is what I've been using in everything I own. When the lead battery goes in goes the AGM. They cost a bit more up front but you save money over the long haul.  ------------- Thanks & God Bless Dennis |
tractorboy wrote:Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 6:20pm
| DennisA, your pic and Gatz's link look like totally different batteries?? Perhaps they are the same though. |
Posted By: DennisA (IL)
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 6:28pm
Just different brands. The optima's have a look all their own. ------------- Thanks & God Bless Dennis |
Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 7:09pm
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I see they are only guaranteed for a year if they live up to their hype you'd think they'd be something like 5 or 6 year 100% replacement.Walmart and Sams Clubs offers 3 year 100% replacement.The batteries in my F550 diesel are almost 9 years old still going strong came from Sams Club.
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Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 7:26pm
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Optima is okay. I've heard they're made in Mexico now. Bummer. If you want a really good AGM, get an Odyssey. https://www.odysseybattery.com" rel="nofollow - https://www.odysseybattery.com Tractors would be considered as industrial use. Don't confuse industrial use with normal car starting use. I have two Odysseys. Free shipping from batterymart.com in Virginia. Advantages of AGM: 1. They are ground shippable. (I think I heard the FEDEX man cussing under his breath, though.) 2. They are rugged. There are sheets of electrolyte-impregnated fiberglass between the plates. Shorted cells are a thing of the past. 3. They are more powerful for their size, compared to standard lead acid batteries. 4. They can sit idle for a year and not lose any significant charge. (Personally I'd throw a charger on the battery every few months if sitting over the winter.) 5. They charge faster than conventional lead acid batteries. |
Posted By: DennisA (IL)
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 10:26pm
Batteries are a funny thing. I have one lead battery that's 13 years old which is not the norm. Most the batteries last 3-5 years or one month after warranty, LOL. Just replaced both batteries in my F-350 in March. The batteries where new when I purchased the truck 3 years ago. They have a 5yr warranty. Below is a picture of them. If you want them please come and get them, no charge.  ------------- Thanks & God Bless Dennis |
Posted By: shameless dude
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 1:56pm
| thanks Dennis, I may try a few of them, like said, could be cheaper in the long run if used in applications where they sit over winter time. |
Posted By: shameless dude
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 1:58pm
| I think the "ever start" batteries are made in India. |
Posted By: Hubert (Ga)engine7
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 2:13pm
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May have to try the AGM batteries. I have been replacing the battery in my wife's and granddaughter's Escapes and in my '13 F150 at close to the 5 year mark whether bad or not and the old batteries find a home in a tractor. I found a place to buy batteries where they adjust the price according to the length of warranty you get and have saved a good bit of money, so far I have not gotten a bad battery. ------------- Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God. |
Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 2:23pm
I just changed the battery in an Escape. It's a real bear to change and Ford puts a small battery in that car in the first place. I'll give you some tips on how to change the battery more easily, as well as install an oversized AGM battery. The OEM Ford battery has an inadequate reserve capacity, it's an awkward size and it only has 550 CCA. 550 is fine when new, but after two years it just doesn't cut it here where I dealt with several days when the thermometer was trying to hit -30. Send me a note when you're about to do the deed. BTW, due to the odd battery size, you won't find an Optima that will fit in an Escape. |
Posted By: exSW
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 2:35pm
| AGM for me too. I don't waste money on Optima's anymore, the quality has declined since they first came out 25 years ago. Mostly Dekas for me. |
Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 3:11pm
The problem with Optima is they were bought out by Johnson Controls and production was shifted to Mexico. From what I've heard the quality is hit and miss. Interstate Battery also gets some of their batteries from Mexico. The quality is hit and miss there too. Some Interstates are excellent, some not so much. I've heard good things about Dekas. I prefer Odysseys because I know they are American made. |
Posted By: ACinSC
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 3:14pm
| Bought a Everstart battery at Wally world a few weeks ago . It was made in Mexico . Hope it lasts a few years. Thanks |
Posted By: DennisA (IL)
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 8:08pm
Be careful, once you get a AGM you'll never go back to the acid batteries. The only tractor that hasn't made the switch yet is the 7045. Not sure how old they are as they came with the tractor 3 years ago It has the cheap Farm & Fleet 2yr warranty batteries that keep holding on. My uncle keeps replacing the same batteries about every 2-1/2 - 3 years. Crazy how some batteries go so long and others just a short time. ------------- Thanks & God Bless Dennis |
Posted By: DennisA (IL)
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 8:12pm
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[/QUOTE] The problem with Optima is they were bought out by Johnson Controls and production was shifted to Mexico. From what I've heard the quality is hit and miss.[/QUOTE] I hope your wrong because I have 11 in use right now. Time will tell. ------------- Thanks & God Bless Dennis |
Posted By: exSW
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 8:31pm
Exactly. I guarantee Interstate has different"grades" of batteries. To much extreme opinion on them good and bad. I've had excellent luck with Dekas. So far. I'll definitely look into Odyssey's. |
Posted By: DennisA (IL)
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2019 at 4:58pm
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I looked up how much my uncle has spent replacing the batteries in the loader tractor. In the past 15yrs he spent $1200.00 for the Farm & Fleet commercial grade. ------------- Thanks & God Bless Dennis |
Posted By: TimNearFortWorth
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2019 at 5:18pm
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It's been nearly 20 years ago that I toured the large Interstate battery plant eat side of Denver for a compressed air survey. Crawled all over the place as they were looking to buy bigger compressors and change/add to the air piping. Entered the warehouse and just the pallet racks for sticker stock was huge. Advised they made car/truck/off-road batts for over a dozen company names, just added the required branding decals. Fella advised there was only a handfull of manufacturers left in the US, all "name labeling" for multiple companies under contracts. I have had good luck with Continentals for tractors over the years, supposed to have a better stronger plating support system that lasts longer. Have picked a few up from Wally World also but Continentals seem to be the only brand that can be "refreshed" after 6 or 7 years.
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Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 8:06am
| In my former life, there was an Electric Race Car built by the students. After 2 years, they wanted new batteries. I got one of those Optimas free, this is like....22 years ago. It sat on my concrete floor in the garage for at least 1 year and a half until I had a use for it. Put it in my car and started right up, used it 4 more years! |
Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 8:27am
A big variable in battery life is the condition of the charging system in whatever machine the battery is installed .
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Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 8:57am
This be true. Don't install an AGM battery unless you are running an alternator. AGM batteries deep cycle better than conventional lead acid batteries, but it doesn't do any battery any good to run it way down. We used some Trojan batteries where I worked and... kill them twice and they were dead for good. |
Posted By: DennisA (IL)
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 9:47am
A good charging system is needed. However I’ve had an AGM battery in my CA for 20yrs using the original 6 volt charging system which includes the generator. The only tractor I have that has an alternator is the 7045 and it hasn’t been switched to the AGM’s yet. ------------- Thanks & God Bless Dennis |
Posted By: DougG
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 5:25pm
| DougS I just chamged one in an Escape and they don't give no wiggle room on the cable length! I got a 550 cca from Rural King and changed the neg around and got away from spending 125 on the one they reccomend |
Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 5:53pm
I've had mixed results, with them, sometimes they will last 5-6 years, mostly about 3. I only use in 1 machine, it's such a biotch to install thet one, I figgered that's the one that gets the good battery. Mostly I buy 2 year old fleet return batteries, 2 years old fer $50. Run a tester on them, and write the date, and the cca's, when I bought them, on the battery. I have a sort of battery hierarchy, runnin around truck gets a new good one, then I shuffle the older batteries, to the kubotas, and farm tractors, that don't need a lotta cca's, anyway to start... ------------- Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need! |
Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 6:24pm
I don’t know what model year you had, but for 2013+ the negative cable sits in a notch. You have to pull the cable out of that notch. There’s another wire that runs along-side the ground cable. Be sure that neither gets snagged as you pull the battery out. This assumes you are pulling the airbox out and removing the front of the battery box. To me this method is easier than removing the wipers and cowling. In either case, it’s not worth it to pull your hair and change that battery every couple of years. Hint: Order a rear battery spacer and hold down clamp for a 2017 Escape with auto start/stop. With that you can install a Group 48 AGM and hopefully make battery changes a thing of the past. The two parts together cost about $15. |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 8:45pm
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For my tractors I went to Tractor supply only because of price. They carry Exide batteries of which I have had good luck with. 2 for my 190XT, my lawn tractors as well. Getting 5 years on them so far. Gel batteries are nice but dang I cant afford them. I had a Deka go 7 years in a lawn mower! I always used Deka before but I cannot find them locally anymore. They were great batteries and I would still be using them if I could get them. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: Brian S(NY)
Date Posted: 01 May 2019 at 8:19am
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I have an everstart that wont start my car.. 3yrs on a 5 year battery and walmart refuses to warentee it ------------- God made man.Sam colt made man equal. |
Posted By: TimNearFortWorth
Date Posted: 01 May 2019 at 10:16am
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Looked at TSC Exide about a year ago. Employee was asked how many they got back on warranty and he advised many. Seem to recall something about discussions TSC had with them about issues, and potentially dropping them. Wiring/charging system up to snuff, how often used, what type of charger to top off/maintain and what part of the countrywhere used all play into what brands last IMO.
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Posted By: TimCNY
Date Posted: 01 May 2019 at 10:27am
| Local battery shop that's been around 40+ years told me that with all the electronic stuff on today's cars, few batteries will last more than 2 years. He went into a lot of detail but no room for that here, and what I wrote is admittedly an oversimplification of what he explained to me. He did say that the same battery on a tractor or an older vehicle would last a good deal longer. FWIW... |
Posted By: HoughMade
Date Posted: 01 May 2019 at 11:04am
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I bought an old style 6v battery branded "Duracell" for my B last summer from Batteries+Bulbs. I must say, I am impressed so far. It was dusty and was obviously on the shelf for a long time before i bought it (no surprise there), but I brought it home and it had a decent charge in it. My tractor was sidelined for a while in the late summer/fall waiting for a rebuilt magneto, so I kept it on a "smart" charger. Then, when I got the tractor back in commission in the fall, I never put it on the charger again. I used it the remainder of the fall for mowing, then it sat all winter long. I probably started it twice from November to March. It fired right up in late March, not the least bit slow turning over. Yeah, the battery isn't old, but for not being charged for months at a time and to work perfectly- that's not what I have come to expect. My B still uses an all-original charging system. As an aside, my lawn tractor, a John Deere 325, has a John Deere branded battery in it. The tractor sat for 3 years in a shed unused before we bought our place almost 5 years ago, and it needed a good carb cleaning to get running, but the battery is still the one that sat for three years and is still being used 5 years after that- I've never had it on a charger. Go figure. ------------- 1951 B |
Posted By: Hubert (Ga)engine7
Date Posted: 01 May 2019 at 9:09pm
DougS, my wife's Escape is a '12, granddaughter's an '08 and the battery changes were no problem and I just might be able to squeeze an AGM in those. I really don't like the body style of the '13s and up. Thinking of buying my daughter a pre '13 if I run across a good clean one owner. ------------- Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God. |
Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 02 May 2019 at 5:05am
Huburt, the '12 Escape uses that dreaded Group 96R battery, the same as my '16. I went to a group 48 AGM. It's a half inch taller - just enough that the top clamp wouldn't work. Problem solved by getting a clamp for a '17 Escape with auto start/stop. The Group 48 is about an inch longer than the 96R. See if that would fit in your battery box. There might be spacers at the bottom of the box that are removeable. If so, they just snap out. I hate the 96R size. I think it's a one of a kind size that only Ford uses. The Group 48 Odyssey battery has 50 more minutes of reserve capacity than the OEM 96R battery. The "battery saver" has never told me I needed to shut off the accessories while I was trying to reset items without the engine running sine going to AGM. That was a regular feature with the old battery. |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 02 May 2019 at 5:40am
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I 'suppose' we shouldn't gripe about regular car batteries,too much, considering what E-car owners have to shell out for new batteries ! Gal at the farm bought a 2nd hand smart car, well, she got 'smarted' when the 3/4 dead battery finally pooched. Sold the POS for 1/4 what she paid for it as the new battery PLUS install was insane !! ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 02 May 2019 at 6:44am
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That's the problem with hybrids. If you don't like the cost of changing a timing belt, you'll scream at the cost of replacing the battery pack. There's more to good economy than good gas mileage. If the car has more than 40,000 miles on it, I'd run from buying that one. $2000 and more is not unheard of for a battery pack. |
Posted By: Ted J
Date Posted: 08 May 2019 at 9:57pm
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Wish I would have known what battery make my wife's 07 Lucerne had in it. I just replaced it since it was new. That's 12 years on an OEM battery from Buick.... ------------- "Allis-Express" 19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17 |
Posted By: chaskaduo
Date Posted: 09 May 2019 at 9:12am
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Ted who ever made that battery probably don't make em that way anymore. 1. a shorter planned obsolescence or lifespan to increase sales. 2. cheaper materials used to maximize profits. 3. different mfg process to shorten production time for more profits. 4. cheap I don't care it's just a job workers or temps to maximize profits again. Sadly it seems the way of the world, junk for outrageous prices. That's one of the main reasons I seek out older stuff, the newer it is the junkier it seems to be made. I call it chineasium, and its not just stuff from china seems to be the new mfg mentality.
------------- 1938 B, 79 Dynamark 11/36 6spd, 95 Weed-Eater 16hp, 2010 Bolens 14hp |
Posted By: HoughMade
Date Posted: 09 May 2019 at 9:35am
On my '07 Silverado, I had the original, oem, battery until New Year's Day 2018, 11 years, and about 155,000 miles.
------------- 1951 B |
Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 09 May 2019 at 12:18pm
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Since about '04 many (GM for one) car makers started charging the battery based on demand. Rather than push 14.5 volts to the battery continuously, they have the computer turn the alternator on only as needed. This tends to go easier on the battery as well as save a few drops per mile of fuel. |
Posted By: frnkeore
Date Posted: 09 May 2019 at 1:05pm
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I've bought a lot of battery's in my life (I'm 74) and the thing that
I've found, regarding life expectancy, is the more you use them, the
longer they last, if maintained properly. I have a '84 Corvette, I've had it for 12 years but, I haven't drove it in a few years. I never drove it much and it has sat, much more that I've driven it. I have put 4 battery's in it and the one that's in it now, has been dead for at least 3 years. I put 8 year guaranty battery's in it so, it hasn't cost me much. I have a lot of cars and 7 running tractors, I try to keep up on them but, it's hard. I've found that if you let a conventional battery discharge once, you can get it back but, at two discharges, it's very iffy if it will last and I've never got battery that discharged 3 times, to recover. I've started using SLA (sealed lead acid) battery's, as I have a jumper battery that lasted at least 12 years (17 AH) I just replaced that battery with a 18 AH AGM but, it's not dead, it has just lost some of it's capacity so, I put it in my lawn tractor. I also using 2 deep cycle batterys in my tractors. I've started using a 35 AH SLA battery for one of my tractors but, I'm going to look into the AutoCraft AGM batterys. ------------- Frank 1959 D17 Series I #24001+, '59 D14 '55 & '59 Ford 850 & 861 Ferguson TO 35 Deluxe, Oliver 70 and 5 more. |
Posted By: DennisA (IL)
Date Posted: 09 May 2019 at 2:01pm
The cheapest battery on the Tractor Supply web site is $109.99. You replace it after 5yrs! I would say you can't afford not to go with the AGM's. I buy all of mine online at the cheapest price. I have 11 of them with the oldest being 20yrs and still works like new. I've never had any issues them. I don't like the higher price myself but for me it has been far cheaper in the long run to go with the AGM's. They always have a charge and start the equipment, no messing around. ------------- Thanks & God Bless Dennis |