Every time a technology becomes obsolete or prohibitive, people find reasons to complain. Like it or not, we cant burn fossil fuels forever at the rate we currently are and small engines are by far the dirtiest and easiest to replace. The market needs an incentive to develope electric CUTs, UTVs and other small equipment. im pretty sure that if tesla can build a car with a 300 mile range and 1000 peak hp, the equipment manufacturers can come up with some really good stuff. They actually already are and despite being in their first attempts, they already seem pretty good from what ive seen. Ive been an equipment operator and truck driver for over 20 years and I have no loyalty to fossil fuel powered equipment. I wont miss the noise, the smell, the constant fluid and filter changes, cold starts... etc. The future is electric and im glad to be around to see how it advances.
Awesome post!!!
I think you have the basics covered here. I don’t believe that there is an overwhelming fight against equipment that operates on anything other than fossil fuels just because they are.
I do believe however there is a fear that during the transition period of the next 10 to 30 years, there may be instability in both fuel and electric equipment that may be injected or planned (politics) over technology driven.
All of that impacting the resources and other things associated with those changes as far as capability, technology advancement, and viability to manage the kinds of work that we need this kind of equipment to perform for us.
That could be frightening for businesses that need assurances that investments in their businesses ability to work won’t be disrupted or require and uncontrolled chain of unexpected expenditures along with other unintended consequences.
“Pushing” technology could directly relate to the future costs non-operators/owners might experience when needing that kind of work done. (contractors, homeowners, and businesses).
Early adopters generally experience the highest costs.
And that’s where we (everyone here that’s interested in tractors and the ancillary equipment that supports them and the things we do with them), sit.
You and I are at the gates of change here, early adopters of the technologies that will usher in a paradigm shift in the fundamental aspects of everything we do as humans. I agree with you whole heartedly … this is a great time to be here!!!!
There is no stopping valid technology. That’s been proven.
Maybe it’s the breakneck speed that more liberal states are moving at that scares the folks in the drivers seats or those contemplating investing in this type of equipment.
Pushing technology faster than its attached resources are capable of delivering may be the angst that creates negative feedback at least in this scenario. Spending just as much, if not more, on this technology with a reduction in “required” power levels or duration is a scary proposition.
I have not seen comparable equipment in the riding lawnmower arena yet… so I can’t say if I feel comfortable in that direction.
I plead ignorance on many things including most technologies (but mostly Math!!)
But I think the human mind is capable of a lot of stuff, and one of those things we are very capable of is recognizing the fear of the unknown, that it is a real thing in our lives.
The stock market moves to that drumbeat every single day…
Then having someone push that fear, or agenda at breakneck speed into our personal world without proven experience to back it up. All without other positives to ease our concerns.
True we are grownups, we need to put on our big boy (or girl, or LBTQ) pants for this.
But at what short term risk?
