Where to buy batteries for 1973 John Deere 450B?

[srshaw3]

Where to buy batteries for 1973 John Deere 450B?
The specifications listed are SAE-9H9A tractor type BCI group symbol is 30H with a 180 minute reserve capacity and dimensions of 13.5 long by 6 13/16 wide by 9 5/16 high

I would be interested in putting in a quick disconnect connection, so I can take the batteries with me when I leave the crawler.

Where is good inexpensive place to get a battery? Can I just get some auto zone diesel truck batteries in the right size?

[77 Ford]

I found the best deal at a farm supply store. I bought a 1000 amp tractor battery that fit good for 85 dollars. Which was about 25 cheaper than the auto parts store.

[srshaw3]

thank you

[Tigerhaze]

I probably would not select an auto parts store battery, because they are generally not made for offroad applications that could vibrate the plates apart. Tractor supply stores are good- the best luck with batteries I have had were commercial application batteries branded by Energizer at Sam's Club. I'm still using it many years later on my 2010 crawler.

[srshaw3]

Thanks, not a Sams club member, not sure that BJs would have such a battery

[srshaw3]

I did find a reference that it might be an Interstate 29H-VHD or equivalent.

[Tigerhaze]

iBatteries are branded under many different names but manufactured by only a few companies, similar to tires. I want to say that the Energizer ones are manufactured by either Exide or Interstate but can't remember for sure. The brand is not all that critical- I just know that brand has lasted me well and not crapped out after a year or two.

I want to say my 2010 crawler uses a Group 31 battery but it may be a Group 30 battery. The main thing when selecting a battery for a crawler application is to make sure the battery is heavy for its group size- for the Group 30 and 31 batteries they should be heavy enough that they take two hands to carry- maybe 35 pounds or so. In my experience heavier batteries generally translate to better longetivity after repeated charging. My alternator doesn't work so well on the crawler so I seem to have to charge the battery periodically.

[Willyr]

Sams club is a diversity of Walmart. Walmart sells a lower volume is all. They are the same company. Altho, if your trying to get something try online first. Walmart has stuff online that may not be in the store.

Parts stores batteries are the same as a tractor supply. It is more of how long that battery sat on the shelf is the real concern. As long as you get the correct battery for the application you should be all set.

[srshaw3]

Thanks to all for the responses.

I have identified a battery dealer that has what I need in stock, so hopefully I will pick it up tomorrow.

Can I get away with one battery for now, and perhaps get a second one when the cold weather comes in? That seems to be what the owners manual says.

[77 Ford]

I only run one battery and I've started in some pretty cold weather.

You should be fine.

[srshaw3]

Great, thank you, one battery it is!

[digitup2]

I started years ago with dry cell battery's and love them you guys down south in the USA should get these cheaper than I can up here in Canada the great white north because they don't freeze ,lose power in the cold or shake apart so they will last for ever in a small crawler I can't get the C.C.A that I would like to see for a dozer or even get a decent deal on them but these little battery's are always ready to do a good job and work well in our cold they will not shake them selves apart like wet cell battery's on a dozer. So there are up sides with this battery that is leak proof ,spill proof ,freeze proof, shake proof .I put 3 of these battery's each in two of my 550Js and they work well but are a bit more expensive than regular battery's .They over come several other other down falls of battery's in a crawler so are well suited for this application but could carry a bit more power in the starting department .they charge quicker than led acid as well !! .Digitup.

[srshaw3]

Thanks I picked up a battery at a Batteries+ store, designed for commercial use, in the right capacity for @$110.

I did find out it is not the starting problem though. I will start a separae thread on needing a wiring diagrem for the 450B dash.

[Tigerhaze]

Good deal- should work for you. You'll have to let us know how this battery works for you as different brands have varying longetivity.

I have tried a number of different brands over the years from stores such as WalMart, Sam's Club, Tractor Supply Company, Orschelin Farm and Home, etc. I do not personally agree, based on my experience, that batteries of a certain size are the same regardless of manufacturer or store. The ones that have lasted the longest for me are typically heavier than ones of a comparable Group or CCA. I have read that is because they use heavier plates which generally last longer and are more resistant to vibration. However everyone is entitle to their opinion.

Maintenance of lead-acid batteries is probably as important as the selection of battery, and has been the cause of some of my premature battery failures. Because of this, I have thought really hard about trying Digitup's idea of dry cell batteries. I have read a lot of good things about the Optima brand and while they aren't too bad in the States (around here I think they go from $150 to $250) but for the price of one I can buy two or three conventional wet cells. I still may try one though because I go through a lot of batteries with all the equipment I have and the extreme swings of conditions here in the Midwest which makes it hard to maintain a wet cell.