6 Volt Battery Recommendation

General help and support for your Lindeman through 2010 John Deere crawler
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Roger440IC
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6 Volt Battery Recommendation

Post by Roger440IC » Wed Oct 16, 2013 11:19 pm

I'm finally replacing my 6 volt battery on my 440-IC. Does anyone have any recommendations on a good HD battery? Are there any batteries out there that have side-posts so that installation/removal and charging isn't so dicey?
Thanks, Roger
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Gil
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Post by Gil » Thu Oct 17, 2013 5:59 am

What is wrong Roger; don't you like scraping your battery posts against a gasoline tank when you install or remove it?

I have had good service out of 6V batteries I bought at NAPA, but there may be other alternatives. Doubt that you will find General Motors style terminals on a 6V battery. Gil

P.S. I keep a small float charger (not a trickle charger) on all my 6V batteries constantly and they are always ready to go, summer or winter. Does not seem to hurt the battery life. Walmart should have them in stock for $20.
JD440-ICD loader; JD440-IC bulldozer; JD440-ICD backhoe; JD440-I backhoe; JD440-I tractor; + five recumbent JD440-ICs

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Lavoy
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Post by Lavoy » Thu Oct 17, 2013 8:19 am

Far and away over the last 20 years I have had the best luck with the Deere battery. I know it sounds stupid, but we have run every brand out there, and normally get 1-3 years out of any other brand. We seem to get 5-6 out of the Deere batteries. They also have the highest CCA that I can normally find.
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Paul Buhler
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Post by Paul Buhler » Thu Oct 17, 2013 10:31 am

What is wrong Roger; don't you like scraping your battery posts against a gasoline tank when you install or remove it?
Hi:
I've used a short piece of bicycle inner tube with a slit in it over the "hot" terminal to help avoid the sparks that Gil is referring to. It will stretch to fit over a made-up terminal or a soldered one. I hang on to the plastic terminal caps and use them when I need to lift out my battery.

I've used Interstate Batteries with good success - the dealers are usually knowledgeable and can help with the proper size selection.
Paul Buhler
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monzanick
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Battery

Post by monzanick » Fri Oct 18, 2013 5:22 pm

I would also endorse the deere battery, spendy, but works good. I personally will never use a interstate battery on any of my vehicles again. worked great for 1.5 years then it quit. warranty was a pain itn the a**! they are supposed to have "free replacement for the first two years". But the rep said it was more than 2 years old, even though my receipt stated 1.5 years.

They skip out on warranty any way they can. The product isn't worth the price.

My deere battery cranks my crawler over whenever!
1950 mc crawling around

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Tigerhaze
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Post by Tigerhaze » Fri Oct 18, 2013 5:43 pm

If you search for "battery" using the search function, you can find a number of archived threads that discuss different manufacturers and brands of batteries and other considerations when selecting a battery for offroad/crawler use. There is a different bewtween a typical automotive battery and one for offroad use, although you likely have fewer choice for a 6V battery than those looking for a 12V battery.

Over the years I have noticed that the batteries that have lasted the longest for me are tractor/offroad and have typically been heavier than similar batteries in the same group, presumably due to thicker plates that are less resistant to cracking from vibration. Of course when I say that I am mainly discussing wet cell batteries and not the "gel" type like Optima.
(1) JD Straight 450 crawler dozer with manual outside blade; (2) JD 2010 diesel crawler loaders; (1) JD 2010 diesel dozer with hydraulic 6-way blade; (2) Model 50 backhoe attachments, misc. other construction equipment

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Roger440IC
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Post by Roger440IC » Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:58 pm

Gil, I have to admit that I do enjoy that little extra excitement when the wrench slips and hits the bottom of the tank while loosing the bolt on the battery cable. It's a coordination thing...
Thanks for the input guys. The local Napa store has a 950 CCA battery for $105 that is 9 3/8" high. I'll also check to see what Deere has. Roger
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Lavoy
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Post by Lavoy » Sun Oct 20, 2013 5:02 pm

Check your other dimensions, that sounds like a large case battery.
I have never seen a small case 6 volt over 700 amps.
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Roger440IC
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Post by Roger440IC » Sun Oct 20, 2013 5:50 pm

Lavoy, The dimensions are 9 3/8 high, 7 1/8 wide and 13 1/8 long. The 440 isn't close by but I was going to check the clearance before purchasing. From memory the length and width seemed OK but I wasn't sure on the height. Roger
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Lavoy
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Post by Lavoy » Sun Oct 20, 2013 7:22 pm

Length seems long, seems to me more like 11" or so long.
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RacinJason
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Battery

Post by RacinJason » Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:04 pm

I've been using the 12 V battery from my 06 Silverado HD in my 420 C. It seems to stay charged, tho I'm still running the 6 V generator. (Got an 8 year old Optima in the truck) The #75 has side terminals, so wont torch my dozer. Also, no lights on the 420 or the battery might not stay up. I think there is discussion on JD Crawlers regarding an 8 V battery. The CCA seem less than the 6 V, tho.
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JD40c
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Post by JD40c » Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:21 pm

I purchased a Battery Tender brand 6V charger and it has worked very well for keeping the 6V battery in good shape through the winter months. Highly recommended.
1955 John Deere 40C 4-roller

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DiggerLarry
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Post by DiggerLarry » Fri Jan 31, 2014 5:20 pm

I can second the use of the Battery Tender. I have two 6V and a 12 V that I use on crawlers and tractors.
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RacinJason
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Battery tenders

Post by RacinJason » Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:35 pm

I have several battery tenders I got on sale from Harbor Freight, but haven't used them, as the 420 was up in the woods. It's in Maine and I'm in Spfld, MA. It is now parked behind the garage so that I can plow snow, if need be, and I'll be plugging it in when I go up next week.
JD 112, JD 420 C

Ray III
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Post by Ray III » Wed Feb 12, 2014 1:32 pm

I put a new Deere battery in last year and I have not even come close to needing the battery charger yet, been down to -15 degrees F and it just goes to work.

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