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John Deere has switched battery manufacturers many times over the years. Some good, and some have been crap. Right now, Exide makes all their Strongbox batteries - and for that reason alone, I'd never buy one. I've had many problems with Exide over the years. So did Sears. Exide had made their Diehard line for a few years - and Sears had so many failures they sued Exide. NAPA also had a problem and subsequently, took on a new company (Deka I think). Maybe now, Exide is making something good - but I've been burned enough to stay away from anything they make. If you can fit automotive batteries in - you're better off since they have a much better warranty - regardless of brand. In regard to cold temps - any conventional flooded lead-acid loses half its cranking capacity at zero degrees. In regard to 6 volt versus 12 volt - generally speaking, there is no difference. But, many 6 volt batteries tend to have thicker plates than same-sized 12 volt automotive batteries and tend to last longer. And, some of the 6 volt battery connections must carry more amperage and are therefore more critical to corrosion. THere are of course thicker-plate 12 volt batteries available - but they cost more and - once rated industrial - the warranties are short. For the past couple of years, I've been using Walmart batteries made by Johnson Controls in all my diesels and they've held up fine, so far. My oldest are going on 5 years. But, I can't say for sure that they sell the same batteries every year.
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