I recall the D2 Direct Start was 2 ea12 volt group 3EE, those got a little spendy at some point and people modified their boxes to accommodate 2 ea group 24.

This is in a warmer environment and I have never checked what was supposed to be in there from the factory back in the late 50’s

way to go Neil, another slippery slope.........................!
= I would phrase it another way.....what to avoid...here in Canada.......Canadian Tire Batteries....entirely.....shit, caca..
-my best luck..............
Interstate
as usual mileage will vary

Neil: My personal experience has steered me away from the original batteries on a DE machine. As CR mentioned, conversions to 2 group 24 work very well. Surely the 3EE batteries look nice behind the engine, but I feel as if the heat and vibration are additional factors for them not lasting very long. Not to mention the cranking capacity is almost non existent. I learned from guys like Frank Danna to use a battery box from a Special Application machine; fender mounted for easier access, and a pair of 24s fit nicely. I think you could shim up the space behind the engine like some others have done, in an attempt to keep the original look. Wayne P. might have some photos of some of his machines. Battery poor here!!! JM

Old Timer's view -- A good piece of rope or a bent piece of steel - what seperated Caterpillar from the rest of the "clan".
Gray or Yellow Paint did not require that tempermental, undependable wet cell battery.

What would life have been like if that "@##%&*+" 3J had an electric starter when I had to fight to get the machine started?
Nothing was enjoyable pulling on the rope with the mosquito's humming and the sweat rolling!
Thanks for the ride down MEMORY LANE -

Juiceman told me he had a "Magic Rope", using it, the "pony" starts on first or second pull. (He must have more than a "Magic Rope", or no audiance!)

I use group 35 or group 24  batteries in my direct start tractors. They have more cold cranking amps than group 3EE, are easier to source, and can be used in other things around the farm. I built a wooden tray to contain them... they ride there just fine due to a snug fit, no hold down necessary.

I helped care a late 5u with tool bar blade that was factory direct start. The owner used it 15 to 30 hours a year. Always wanting me to find odd jobs for it.I don't know if he put the Interstates in it, or if they came with tractor. In the fall the battery's went in his gunsmithing shop, and charged every month or so. Then in spring weed control time back in they went. They lasted about 10 years. So after he passed I did the discing for the widow. Second year even though the batteries where in the shed and charged a time or 2. They where done. So replaced with similar Interstate group 24's. The property was sold as well as tractor, so direct connection was lost. But heard people bad mouthing the lousy Interstate battery's. in the D2. But no idea of how it was cared for and used.


I am hard on batteries, move them from machine to machine. A number of things I us for a week and park it for a year anymore. Don't keep them charged in between as I know they should be. A pair of Napa and Interstate about the same age. What ever size is used in a 89 Ford diesel pickup. The Ford has had many little electrical hick ups. So battery's switched back and forth several times. On this pair of 4 year old battery's I think the Napa have given better service. But the way things go who knows what you would get from ether company.

I have always used the 3EE battery’s they are currently interstate. The tractor is hard on them because of the vibrations. If all the connections are kept clean they spin the starter fine.

On my 941B 24 volt starter i use two 850 cca walmart batteries---got 11 years on the first set--put a trickle charger on them thru the winter