[tinsley207]

Hello All,

My 5260 battery that came with the tractor is now dead after many years of operation. It is a GROUP 58 battery. I was looking to replace it but wanted to know if a group 58 with 550 cold cranking amps was actually necessary to run the starter and iginition coil or if I could go with a smaller style lawn tractor battery with 200 or 220 CCA's. Can you all share what you're using in your walk behinds and make some recommendations? A new Group 58 could be as much as 150$ but a lawn tractor battery is 50$.

Thanks.

Nate

PS: I'm attaching pics of the current battery.

 

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

Nate, I don't have a walk behind, but I will share my GRAVELY rider battery experience.

Like the walk behinds, the riders use a full size automotive battery.

I bought my tractor new in 1996, I have always replaced the battery with the same group 22F battery GRAVELY sold it with.

Batteries have each lasted 7-8 years without any jump starting, separate charging, battery tenders, etc.

Sometimes my tractor has been used during winter for snow plowing, some winters not. It always starts right up.

Every time it did fail to start, it was simply time for a new battery, again about every 7-8 years.

So the question is, how long will the smaller battery last? How much "trouble" will you have with it?

Are you really saving any money in the long run?

Sheldon

 

[dave_r]

Yeah, I would stay with the same battery if you use it during the winter, and only put in a smaller battery if you only use it during the summer.

 

[PA RedRider]

If I were you, I'd look for a type MU1R 300 CCA lawn and garden battery from Dekka/East Penn Manufacturing. Can't say if they are available in Maine, as they are manufactured practically in my back yard. I've been ordering them from Lowe's and doing in-store pickup. I run one of these in my Pro8. Yes, they are cheaper.

The battery box on a 5260 may dwarf one of these so be prepared to shim and stabilize as needed.

Edit: Just realized you will likely have to change out your terminal ends if you wanted to go to a MU1R.

Hope the chickens are doing well.



Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[tinsley207]

OK! You've all convinced me! I'll go out and get a direct replacement! Yes, I'm in Maine and I use this thing in the dead of winter for snow blowing. Last thing I want is for it NOT to start then! Thanks to all.

PA Red Rider, just got a fresh batch of chicks and they're darn cute! Of course, that means the old hens are destined for the pot! Oh well. Such is life on the "Gentleman's Farm"!:tango_face_wink:

Nate

 

[edwardgoodridge]

Have you ever looked at later battery type like the optima. Those tolerate lot of abuse.

 

[WH401]

22F was the group size Gravely used in the tractors from the factory. BatteriesPlus has a good quality one for about $65 with a 10% off online coupon.

Rick