Electric conversion of a Kubota B26 / Similar

[Grumpycat]

Usually a r&d project should improve them. What has been improved with this?

If R&D always results in an improvement then there is no point in the R&D step, just go straight into production.

R&D is beneficial even when all that is learned is how not to do something.

R&D is not beneficial when all one has done is spend somebody's money.

Engineer's motto: "Quick. Cheap. Good. Pick 2."

"Perfection is the enemy of Good Enough." We do a lot of things which are not perfect but good enough to get the job done which would otherwise never get done at all.

 

[/pine]

Personally I don't see much more than BX sized machines being offered as electric compact tractors in the future...they just do (or are meant to do) so much work for the battery they could carry...

But one aspect that I do like about the concept is being able to use regen braking...it still comes down to where the rubber meets whatever...but it would add a whole new aspect to working on grades...

 

[Bob Rooks]

Diesel-electric "hybrid" locomotive controls the alternator field to regulate truck drive and speed, not engine RPM.

That is true on the newer AC polyphase induction motors. I should have been more specific as I was alluding to DC to DC for simplicity. My bad.

 

[galstaf]

Voila!
An electric forklift or stacker with side shift will have everything you'll need to make the conversion to all electric operation - traction motor (gut the HST and install motor) and electro/hydraulic controls. The only real challenge I see is battery compatibility. This is a concept only.

Example:

Hyster E40XL Electric Forklift

4,000 lbs. Max. Weight Capacity, 3 Stage Mast, 187” Max Lift Height, 82” Lowered Mast Height, 39” Forks, Side Shift, Open Operator Station, 36 Volt System

www.ironplanet.com

An electric forklift was definitely on consideration list already for harvesting parts... a good sized the motor controller, motor and electric hydraulic pump.
I think I am gonna pass on the Kubota HST tho and wait for a more suitable non-HST machine.
I will update the thread as and when I make progress. Thanks for the input everyone.

If anyone else takes on an electric conversion also, please continue the thread!

 

[galstaf]

Personally I don't see much more than BX sized machines being offered as electric compact tractors in the future...they just do (or are meant to do) so much work for the battery they could carry...

But one aspect that I do like about the concept is being able to use regen braking...it still comes down to where the rubber meets whatever...but it would add a whole new aspect to working on grades...

I don't think it would add much. Regen really only works well with fast moving wheels (lots of rotational energy) with good traction. Too much regen/electric braking will just cause muddy tractor wheels to slide.

 

[galstaf]

Not a total solution, but for indoor operation a propane engine might be sufficient if you have some degree of ventilation. We used propane lift trucks extensively in our warehouses. Plus with propane, switching out the tank gets you up and rerunning quickly.

You did not list the tasks (or I missed that part), but what are you doing with the tractor indoors? There may be other ways to get your jobs done.

BTW, we used electric fork lifts at another site and they worked well, but could not be taken to warehouses without charging or spare battery facilities.

Anyway, I am not envisioning why someone would want to run a tractor indoors for very long. Lifting a moving stuff can be done with fork lifts.

You forgot quiet. I want a virtually silent machine also. An indoor machine is nice for digging out footings or pipe channels in an existing space.

Also I think most duel fuel propane motors need to be gasoline, not diesel.

 

[/pine]

I don't think it would add much. Regen really only works well with fast moving wheels (lots of rotational energy) with good traction. Too much regen/electric braking will just cause muddy tractor wheels to slide.

That's not the way our golf cart reacts...the regen braking is great for descending hills....2 WD....

Can only speak about the cart but it never loses traction when regen braking...but hit the foot brake in mud and you can go sledding...

 

[jonsstihl]

I would definitely start with a donor tractor that is not HST and if possible closed center hydraulic system but those are rare on compact tractors.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Also I think most duel fuel propane motors need to be gasoline, not diesel.

Nope. Just add spark plugs, magneto, and a carburetor (simplifying). Caterpillar used to do it.

 

[CalG]

Nope. Just add spark plugs, magneto, and a carburetor (simplifying). Caterpillar used to do it.

View attachment 710068

Compression ratio might be a tad high. "just slide another headgasket in there, and call it good" ;-)

To the OP

I've got an motor out of an electric warehouse stacker. I think its 36 v might be 48v

Yours if you want it, but it's some distance away and VERY HEAVY. ;-)

I take that back, I'll trade for ONE of the bike battery pacs. I could use a second one for my e-bike ;-)