Battery type for 50b please!

[MaisiesDad]

My MF 50b is currently 70 miles from where I am and I need to take a battery with me to get it started, trouble is I can’t remember which way round the terminals are! Anyone help please

 

[AftonShepherd]

Couldn't you use jump leads then it wouldn't matter?

 

[Exfarmer]

Couldn't you use jump leads then it wouldn't matter?

You will be lucky to start any decent size diesel on jump leads alone

 

[AftonShepherd]

Fair enough, was just a thought ?

 

[agrimax]

A 642 would be ideal as the terminals are in the middle instead of at the side. Can turn it either way then.

Usually higher CCA as well...


Am pretty sure a 663 battery will have the terminals the right way.

 

[Lincs Lass]

If the cables are long enough ,,turn the battery to suit the clamps

 

[jf850]

A 642 would be ideal as the terminals are in the middle instead of at the side. Can turn it either way then.

Usually higher CCA as well...


Am pretty sure a 663 battery will have the terminals the right way.

663 is what I use . Decent kick .
Most places stopped stocking 643s , which are lower power , and 2 inches lower. A waste of money , except for a 135 .

 

[Exfarmer]

663 is what I use . Decent kick .
Most places stopped stocking 643s , which are lower power , and 2 inches lower. A waste of money , except for a 135 .

Absolutely correct, I did not like to say this as I could not remember if the bigger battery would fit.
To be fair though many larger tractors were quite happy with a 643 if they were used regularly and good starters

 

[agrimax]

The majority of 643 batteries are the same dimensions as the 663,just less amps.
642s can be had with higher CCA and Ah and universal fitting. A better all rounder.

 

[Exfarmer]

642 and 643 are the same battery just poles at opposite end

 

[agrimax]

Afraid not....643 and 644 are the same but for the poles.

 

[Exfarmer]

Afraid not....643 and 644 are the same but for the poles.

You are looking at different makes , but 642 and 644 are all the same dimensions. Poles may be in marginally different places, but will make no odds in 99% of situations.
The power in terms of crank amps and capacity will vary across makes considerably and prices will Generally reflect this as it entails more meat inside.

 

[agrimax]

Yes,643 and 644 are the same dimensions as can be the 642,but the 642 has the poles in the middle of the ends of the casing.
I see on Tayna batteries website, they list a 642 but show a picture of a 644! Not a helpful mistake......
A heavy duty 642 will still have higher CCA than the above or the 663/4.

 

[oakleaf]

Do all these model numbers ie 663 642 644 actually mean anything and are they uniform across all brands?

 

[oakleaf]

You will be lucky to start any decent size diesel on jump leads alone

Any chance you could expand on that?. I have often jumped a 6 cylinder from my landcruiser.
Good heavy duty leads an off you go. Maybe l am permanently lucky .

 

[Exfarmer]

Any chance you could expand on that?. I have often jumped a 6 cylinder from my landcruiser.
Good heavy duty leads an off you go. Maybe l am permanently lucky .

was that when there was no battery on the engine you jumped? If so you do have some good leads! most will get very hot as they cannot stand a 600 amp load for long!
Always when jumping it is a good idea to allow the master, to push some power into the slave for a few minutes, before attempting to start it

 

[oakleaf]

was that when there was no battery on the engine you jumped? If so you do have some good leads! most will get very hot as they cannot stand a 600 amp load for long!
Always when jumping it is a good idea to allow the master, to push some power into the slave for a few minutes, before attempting to start it

Ah no there was always a dead battery in place and hooked up for 5 mins before a start attempt. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Exfarmer]

Do all these model numbers ie 663 642 644 actually mean anything and are they uniform across all brands?

They should be similar, but it does not guarantee they are identical in terms of dimensions. it does affect terminal placement

 

[TheTallGuy]

I've jumped my MF690 with no battery. A decent set of leads with proper clamps onto relatively clean metal makes a difference. I used to have a set with screw operated clamps (like decent earth welding clamps), but they got liberated a few years ago!