Do I need a special battery?

RHF · Jul 27, 2008

Newbie question here- I need a new battery for my "86 Ford 1910 (3 cyl. diesel), and the manual just specifies a 12V, 100 Amp battery. Is there anything special about tractor battery designs (especially for a diesel), or can I just buy a truck battery with the right rating?

Thanks.

Lanse · Jul 27, 2008

i would not think so. I myself would buy a tractor battery. I'd think it would be cheaper too, but i dont know.

Janicholson · Jul 27, 2008

Put the best battery you can afford with the best guarantee that has the highest cold crank amps (CCA) that will fit into the box. This is usually in the 750 to 1000 CCA range. 100 amp/hr is an old battery term. But it would be a similar rating and very substantial. JimN

Anonymous-0 · Jul 27, 2008

Probably many 12 volt batteries will work, but it is handiest to get one that will fit in the space provided for the battery and also that has the + and - posts in the right places (some batteries have the post location reversed). If there is no battery in the tractor now, I would suggest measuring and figuring out what configuration would work the best for you.

It might save you a trip back to the battery store. Good luck!

JDemaris · Jul 27, 2008

You don"t need much battery for that tractor. That amp rating doesn"t mean very much either. An amp-hour rating gives you an idea of long-term cranking ability, and a cold-cranking rating gives you a short-term rating. You need enough of both. Especially in cold weather since a battery"s power is cut in half at zero.

Since your engine is pretty small, just about any good sized car and truck battery will be fine as long as it fits. Automotive battery will also have a better warranty. Tractor and commercial batteries usually only have 6 months or a 1 year warranty.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 27, 2008

Fella at Farm and Fleet once told me that special tractor batteries are designed more around the kind of usage patterns that a tractor sees (i.e. sitting for a long period of time in between uses) as opposed to a car batter (used every day).

Vacherie · Jul 27, 2008

I had a 4DLT in my Ford 3600 that lasted 360 days. I replaced it with an automotive battery.
The automotive battery has worked over a year without a problem. The 3600 starts easily and I live in a warm climate.

buickanddeere · Jul 28, 2008

Listen to Janicholson. Install the largest vibration resistant battery.

Traditional Farmer · Jul 28, 2008

I use Advance Store batteries in my tractors and get good service out of them.The best ones have a
3 year 100% repalcement guarantee and they don't
give me a hassle if one needs replacing.Also cut
a piece of inner tube twice as large as the size of the battery fold it over so its doubled and set the battery on it,the rubber will absorb most of the general vibration.

rotten robert · Jul 28, 2008

Take the Original battery to a parts store and get the exact same replacement for it. That way your hold downs will work right and the battery will fit the tray. Nothing more exciting than a battery flopping around arcing and sparking. I know of no special tractor battreys although some stores may advertise a heavy duty type. BTW I am a fleet mechanic and all our batterys come from one supplier in all types of sizes for all kinds of applications. Your battery should have a group size number on it.

Rick in NB · Jul 28, 2008

I don"t know if it is just a Cdn thing or not, but whenever I went looking for an automotive battery for a tractor (wanted most amps/longest warrenty)the clerk would not sell/fill out card unless unless I gave model of auto that needed that size. If I said to fit tractor/machinery, automotive warrenty completely voided or at best a few months. Figured just more weazeling by retailer/manufacturer.

RodinNS · Jul 28, 2008

I believe you'll find that the 1910 has a fairly standard Gr 31 truck battery. My preference is towards Delco and an 1100 CA at that...
Do check that it is a 31 or at least that basic size, but I'm reasonably certain that it is.

Rod

Do I need a special battery?

RHF

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Lanse

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Janicholson

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Anonymous-0

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JDemaris

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Anonymous-0

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Vacherie

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buickanddeere

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Traditional Farmer

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rotten robert

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Rick in NB

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RodinNS

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