Farmall Cub

Hi All,
I've been a very infrequent poster but love the forum! Anyhow.....I'm finally getting my '48 Cub back out to mow some grass this spring and she needs a new battery. The last time (many years ago) I got one from NAPA. Good battery but a little expensive. What do you all suggest for a good source and price on a 6 volt battery? Also any part #'s would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

All batteries are expensive these days. Check NAPA for a Group 1 or Group 19L 6V battery. The 19L fits a little better in an original battery box.

Don, answered your question for you. Our NAPA has good prices. I have also found group 1 batteries at TSC lately for $69.95.

I don't have a good answer but I am glad you asked. I have been wondering the same thing. I have a 6V from one of the rural supply stores that is a little less than a year old that I will probably need to replace soon. It has never performed well and now it seems to be failing. I seem to have the best luck with Deka batteries, but they are quite a lot more money. I just replaced a Deka that was over 8 years old on my Allis 5020 diesel. If the more expensive battery will last 5 years or more, it is still cheaper than the bargain battery that performs poorly and for less than a year. Like you I would really like to find batteries that perform well for a good price and will look forward to seeing everyone's suggestions.

Convert it to 12v and use garden tractor batteries.. They work great and sell for between $25-$45 and last much longer. Also easier to charge up or jump off if everything else you have is 12v.

Original 6v is great as long as it works, but when problems start, it is cheaper and easier to convert to 12v in the long run.
My $.02

Xperimental wrote:I seem to have the best luck with Deka batteries, but they are quite a lot more money. I just replaced a Deka that was over 8 years old on my Allis 5020 diesel. If the more expensive battery will last 5 years or more, it is still cheaper than the bargain battery that performs poorly and for less than a year. Like you I would really like to find batteries that perform well for a good price and will look forward to seeing everyone's suggestions.

I can't reccomend or say enough good things about DEKA batteries. I have been buying and using them for years and they have never let me down. I had bought one of their 319L 6V (fits the original battery box) batteries for the Cub last year, cost was $92 exchange, but I will be good for at least 8-10 years. You can find a local dealer/distributor by going to their website at http://www.dekabatteries.com
Regardless of what brand or where you buy the battery, check the date code on the case and have them load test the battery before you leave the store. Six volt batteries have a tendency to sit around for a while, be sure that it is up-to-snuff before you buy it and get it home.

I am lucky enough to have a local battery shop. They have blemish batteries at a discount. On an off chance I asked if they had a 6v that would fit my cub. The guy came back with a blemish optima spiral cell battery and sold it to me for about $45 (IIRC) Had it for about 2 years now without issue. it looks kinda funny, because a 6 volt spiral cell is long and skinny, but it fits perfectly in my box at a 45 degree angle.

I don't have the part number, but I was able to save some $ by getting one at O'Reilly Auto. They had it in stock, and it is still doing well 2 years later. So far, it has performed as well as the NAPA I used to buy.

If you have an Interstate dealer near by, some of the members here recommend asking them if they have any "blems" they will sell at a discount.

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to check out Deka and see if there is a dealer in southern NH. otherwise I may end up back at NAPA. I really didn't have any complaint about their battery....I guess, as Don said, "all batteries are expensive these days".

I think I would be quite upset if a battery only lasted one year. Most companies provide a warranty that should last about that long with full replacement. Most additional warranty's are usually pro-rated after a year.
Keep your receipts and make sure that the store dates the battery when sold.

bythepond88 wrote: don't have the part number, but I was able to save some $ by getting one at O'Reilly Auto. They had it in stock, and it is still doing well 2 years later. So far, it has performed as well as the NAPA I used to buy.

O'Reilly's will price match. I got a group size 1 from them for the price of TSC's group 1, $69 and change.

I got one from Sears using my brothers commercial account. It was $50 for a Sears Vintage. If you are friends with a mechanic ask him to buy one under his account. I saved $35

I have had really good luck with the 6V battery that I got for Merlin. Bought it at Blain's Farm and Fleet about 4 years ago, and it is still going strong. My cub is a mag tractor, so it really only uses the battery for starting and lights if I am working at night, but I am well pleased with how it holds a charge and starts the tractor right up.

Mike

I have a local private label dealer. Both battery and dealer give excellent service at reasonable price.

Got mine at Advanced Auto they sell for 99dollars plus 18 for the core but you can use they 40Dollar off code of TRT41 cut it to 60....plus tax