This post is not a question
about tractor batteries, but rather my experience and research for a
replacement of my own. I have a John Deere 30” rider that had a Sears Diehard
Gold model # 27185. They no longer make
this model #. The battery lasted exactly 7 years and 1 month.

I used the rider on a weekly
basis and only started it once each week until I finished mowing. After the cutting season I
removed the battery and stored it in my cool basement. In the spring I would
give it a charge and install it, it never let me down until now. I suspect the
longevity was due to the minimum starts and good storage.

Since I had a good experience
with the 27185 model I tried to replace it with the same but found it
unavailable. You will find the model when doing a Google search but if you try
to buy it it shows unavailable at any zip code you enter. To the best of my
knowledge 340cca is the highest cold cranking amps available for tractor
batteries and will provide considerably more power than those cheaper batteries
available at Auto Parts stores.

I did find a 340cca (model
50785) at both Sears and Kmart, the same battery at Sears was 15.00 more than
at Kmart even though they are both the same company. My original battery was 20
lbs where these replacements are 15 lbs, I suspect the quality is not the same
merely by the difference in weight. I then found an Interstate 340cca battery
(model SP-40) at Home Depot that weighed 18.5 lbs so I bought that one. The
extra 3.5 lbs is what sold me.

I understand Johnson Controls
makes most batteries sold in the USA, see the link below.

Johnson Controls Battery Manufacturer

http://bestbatterytips.com/tags/who-makes-die-hard-batteries/

The one disadvantage of
buying the Interstate battery is that it only has a 6 month warranty where the
Sears and Kmart have a 1 year. If the Interstate battery
dies over the winter I’m screwed, at least with the Sears and Kmart it would
still be under warranty next spring. However, it's a risk I'm willing to take.

Some links for reference:

Diehard Gold Model # 50785 340cca at Sears 65.00
15 lbs

http://www.sears.com/diehard-gold-lawn-garden-battery-group-size/p-02850785000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

Diehard Gold Model # 50785 340cca at Kmart
50.00 15 lbs

http://www.kmart.com/diehard-gold-lawn-garden-battery-group-size/p-082W235407400001P

Interstate Model SP-40 340cca
at Home Depot 50.00 at 18.5 lbs

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Interstate-Battery-340-CCA-Tractor-Mower-Battery-SP-40/205754489#specifications

Link For My Original Battery Model # 27185 20 lbs (Unable To Purchase)

http://www.sears.com/diehard-gold-garden-tractor-battery-group-sizes/p-02827185000P