Interstate Batteries and Tractor Supply

mod1911a · Jan 14, 2024

I've owned 3 ride on mowers over the last 20 years and have always been disappointed with how long the batteries last (or don't) last. A year ago, December, I bought an almost-$60 "Traveler" battery from Tractor Supply (TS) in Covington for my fairly-new, $2,500 Cub Cadet (it's original battery didn't last too long). The battery is made by Interstate Batteries.
So just last week, I noticed that this 1 year old battery is leaking acid, corroding things, and--left unchecked--would start destroying my expensive mower. Looked like the leak originated at the Pos post. Wasn't happy.
Battery had a 90-day exchange warranty--that's it. I brought the battery back to Tractor Supply to pitch a bitch, thinking that they would do something to right this. Wrong! The "manager"--a 20-something yr old kid--told me that TS actually will only completely trade it out after 30 days and I'd have to take it up with the manufacturer. Yeah, right. Like I'd wanna get involved with that.
I told him if that's all he could offer, take a picture of me cuz he'd never see me in the store again.

So just a heads-up on Interstate Batteries. Buyer beware. And don't expect any stellar customer satisfaction treatment from Tractor Supply
Thanks for reading.
P.S. Not very impressed with Cub Cadet either.

Gator 45/70 · Jan 14, 2024

BAAaahaaaa Interstate battery's have always been crap, Welcome to the club!

WhereIsIt? · Jan 14, 2024

Interstate doesnt make it's own batteries and I'm pretty sure they don't make Travellers. Only a few companies make batteries for everyone. Seasonal use batteries should be put on a trickle charger or you will have issues.. Especially the batteries being made here recently... None of them seem to be lasting as long as before. 2 to 3 years seems to be the max. My gto is parked and on a trickle charger. That battery is now 5 years old. My wife's suv and my truck I throw a trickle charger on them once a year and so far so good.

highstandard40 · Jan 14, 2024

Most retailers don't warrant the items they sell. The manufacturers do....within their terms.
Just sayin.

mod1911a · Jan 15, 2024

WhereIsIt? said:
Interstate doesnt make it's own batteries and I'm pretty sure they don't make Travellers. Only a few companies make batteries for everyone. Seasonal use batteries should be put on a trickle charger or you will have issues.. Especially the batteries being made here recently... None of them seem to be lasting as long as before. 2 to 3 years seems to be the max. My gto is parked and on a trickle charger. That battery is now 5 years old. My wife's suv and my truck I throw a trickle charger on them once a year and so far so good.

It appears the "Traveller" brand is Tractor Supply's store brand. It was clearly written on my battery that is was an Interstate battery.
Trickle charge is definitely a good idea. But to tell the truth, my lawn tractor rarely sits idle for more than 2 weeks. It runs more than once a week during grass growing season (back and front lawn usually has it running for 2-1/2 hours). Late August some of the trees on my property start falling so it's right on to bagging leaves. The various trees are falling all through the winter and right when they're finished........two live oaks I have start throwing their leaves in the spring. Then.......grass. Also, I check water level and only use distilled water.
Side note: The original sealed Toyoto battery in my 2007 4-Runner lasted 9 years! It never actually failed. I just figured it was time to replace it. The next NAPA battery I put in was getting weak at 4 years and starting to corrode my terminals. Yeah, even batteries selling close to $200 are still trash.
I appreciate you responding to me.

jdindadell · Jan 15, 2024

My advise on cars is always to buy a 3yr warrantied battery cause they usually last 26 months. A 2 year warrantied battery will usually also last 26 months...

Small batteries are best left on a good maintainer like the battery minder or a noco 1 amp.
The desulfate function will keep the batteries from building up too much internal resistance, which causes heat and boiling/leakage when the battery is asked to perform, or sometimes it will even cause issues during charging, if the internal resistance gets too high.

hotbiggun · Jan 16, 2024

That sucks, years ago i was a warehouse manager and part of the service was making good on manufactures warranties. They sell it they should make good on the warranty.
Also in my opinion dont tell them you will never come back instead tell them you will not buy from their store for a year. That might give them the opportunity to win back your buisness.

drill sgt · Jan 16, 2024

Almost impossible to find a lawn type tractor battery that is warrantied more than 90 days and less than $100 or even more money......No matter the brand name on the battery or what supplier you purchased it from....... And do not getting me started on auto batteries for less than the cost of a arm and a leg combined. ........................... drill sgt. .

Bigchillin83 · Jan 17, 2024

With your level of frustration on this battery I’m only to assume you don’t have any boats… lol …

For the year I’m on
4-deep cycle batterys
1- agm jell atv battery
1- tractor battery

It’s the year of the battery for me lol

If I get a year out of my batteries I’m blessed!!!

mod1911a · Jan 21, 2024

Bigchillin83 said:
With your level of frustration on this battery I’m only to assume you don’t have any boats… lol …

For the year I’m on
4-deep cycle batterys
1- agm jell atv battery
1- tractor battery

It’s the year of the battery for me lol

If I get a year out of my batteries I’m blessed!!!

Whoa! Sold my last boat in 2000. I miss having a boat. But then I don't. LOL

GunRelated · Jan 21, 2024

There is a place on Choctaw that sells remanufactured batteries on the cheap. I have not personally bought from them, but I have 2 family members that have and they now won't buy from anywhere else. My uncle has had one of their batteries in one of his tractors for 2+ years and that tractor mostly just sits there; tractor starts right up when he needs it, no trickle charger, nothing.
They would be worth trying in my opinion, especially vs something like an interstate battery.

remanufactured batteries Choctaw - Google Search

mod1911a · Jan 22, 2024

GunRelated said:
There is a place on Choctaw that sells remanufactured batteries on the cheap. I have not personally bought from them, but I have 2 family members that have and they now won't buy from anywhere else. My uncle has had one of their batteries in one of his tractors for 2+ years and that tractor mostly just sits there; tractor starts right up when he needs it, no trickle charger, nothing.
They would be worth trying in my opinion, especially vs something like an interstate battery.

remanufactured batteries Choctaw - Google Search

Thanks for the tip!

gwpercle · Jan 22, 2024

My last Interstate battery lasted ... a disappointingly 2 years !

I don't know what has changed but Interstate's used to last at least 4 years ... Something Is Up with Interstate and it Ain't Good !
Gary

Bigchillin83 · Jan 22, 2024

gwpercle said:
My last Interstate battery lasted ... a disappointingly 2 years !

I don't know what has changed but Interstate's used to last at least 4 years ... Something Is Up with Interstate and it Ain't Good !
Gary

I’d dare say all batterys…

john17427 · Jan 22, 2024

I buy Everstart's from Walmart. They seem to last as long as anything. What I would like to know is why the OEM battery on my Dad's Kubota tractor lasted 15 years (and not plugged in to a trickle charger).

GunRelated · Jan 22, 2024

WhereIsIt? · Jan 22, 2024

All batteries are made by 3 companies. Johnston Controls is the larger of the three.

During the freeze last week I could hear a tiny bit of struggle when starting the Pilot. Put it on the trickle charger that night and it's been starting fine. Battery is the original and is 2.5 years old now.

mod1911a · Jan 23, 2024

GunRelated said:

GREAT VIDEO. Looks like it was 4 yrs old, but still relative.
Guess when my leaky "Traveller" lawn tractor battery is ready for the recycle heap, I'll go visit Walmart and get an Everstart.
As I mentioned, I put a Duralast Gold in my car, so that choice wasn't that bad.
Thanks again folks. Great conversation.

gwpercle · Jan 26, 2024

WhereIsIt? said:
All batteries are made by 3 companies. Johnston Controls is the larger of the three.

During the freeze last week I could hear a tiny bit of struggle when starting the Pilot. Put it on the trickle charger that night and it's been starting fine. Battery is the original and is 2.5 years old now.

Keep an eye on it . When they start to stuggle just a bit in cold weather ... then sometimes the next winter might be time it starts to let you down ... seems like 4 years is about the life of a decent battery and Freezing weather is really hard on them .
Gary

GunRelated · Jan 26, 2024

gwpercle said:
Keep an eye on it . When they start to stuggle just a bit in cold weather ... then sometimes the next winter might be time it starts to let you down ... seems like 4 years is about the life of a decent battery and Freezing weather is really hard on them .
Gary

I have 2 fairly new Everstart Platinum AGM batteries in my truck. I put my Noco charger/maintainer on them during these past hard freezes, especially since I don't have a garage or covered parking for my vehicles.

Interstate Batteries and Tractor Supply

The Best online firearms community in Louisiana.

Member Benefits:

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Not Banned!!!

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Log in

Forum statistics