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What battery do you guys recommend for a 1970 John Deere 112 lawn tractor? The last battery I bought was an AGM battery for automotive use but didn't have much luck with it.
Battery Question?
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482 Posts
A group 26 Napa battery, mine has served me well.
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What about a Optima battery? Has anyone used one of these? They are pretty expensive.
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5,426 Posts
Too spendy for me...I like the Everstart brand available at Wuhan Mart, decent price and service life and exchangeable at any WM location...just keep your receipt.
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6,810 Posts
TMAC, you posted while I was typing. I also am a fan of Wallys EverStart batteries. Because I live in Wisconsin I like the higher CCA rated batteries. They are a little more expensive but provide good service.
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I
Optima batteries are great. I have a yellow top that I’ve used in numerous tractors and cars at different times throughout the years and it is a dedicated tractor battery now. It’s at least 16 years old and never had a problem with it once. Even had it sit for a year and not get used, no chargers at all and put it straight in a tractor and it fired right up. Well worth the money
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So now that I'm curious...what group size is that Optima yellowtop?
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They tell me my 1970 gear drive 112 takes a 26 group battery. I looked at optima's website yesterday. I could not find a 26 group battery in the red, yellow, or blue top batteries from optima.
Personally, I go with the cheap readily available batteries, it is not rocket science. Optima spends a lot on advertising, yellow and red are hot topics. I had a $200 battery in one of my BMW's die after 1.5 years, it was purchased from Oreilles and they took it back, and gave me a brand new one for $15, I was shocked, but now they are my go-to auto parts store.
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I have an Optima D34/78 that I use. I’ve had it in a 210, 212, 214, 317, 318, and a 112. Some are a little snug but it fits.
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5,426 Posts
Good to know, thanks. Off to buy lottery tickets.
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5,426 Posts
Neither do I but it would take a big win to get me to spend more than $200 for any battery. 
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104 Posts
The battery from a 92 civic is pretty small and should fit. group 24. Personally, I've had no trouble with the traditional lawn mower batteries at Walmart that sell for around $25.
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4 Posts
I have a 212 and a 214. I use ordinary 12V lawn-mower batteries in both, for summer mowing and winter snow throwing (in south-central Minnesota). I keep both on battery maintainers year-around and can't remember the last time I've had to replace one, at least several years and still good to go.
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5,426 Posts
I use a little L&G tractor battery in the 322, because the tray is so small. Have 26 group batteries from Wuhan Mart in the 212, 216 and 430. I disconnect the hot cable every time I park them after a work session. No maintainer but should probably get one...instead I start and run them all at least 10-15 mins a month if they sit for a while. Replaced a TSC 26 group battery a couple of months ago...it lasted 5 years, and was a 36-month battery.
My secret is to head to one of my local auto recyclers. They usually have a collection of automotive batteries so I pick the biggest one that will fit under the hood of my tractor and if needed change my cable ends to match. They're a lot better than a lawn and garden battery and usually about the same price out the door.
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