Driverless electric tractor

[4570Man]

I have never understood why electric cars (and now tractors) do not have an easily replaceable battery pack. I realize there would have to be a standard across all companies..... but just drive into a "gas" station and swap out a battery pack and be back on the road in a few minutes. Then the battery can be recharged while you are driving on to the next station. I realize there is a heck of a lot more logistics in it than that, but it seems logical. Since it seems logical no legislature is ever going to deal with it.

Who is going to pay to replace the expired batteries? The second big problem I see is a busy station would need hundreds if not thousands of batteries in reserve because they’re trading them faster then they can be charged.

 

[TractorTech]

Article states targeting vineyards in California so no clue on HP required vs period of time used. I believe another company in California has released an autonomous crop sprayer for orchards. Information not mentioned was recharge time. Maybe they can put wind mills or solar panels in the vineyards and orchards to recharge them.

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Autonomous sprayer Global Unmanned Spray System - Guss

GUSS – Global Unmanned Spray System

gussag.com

New Holland Autonomous Electric T4 Tractor - CNH Industrial presents first electric tractor prototype with autonomous features

 

[cqaigy2]

Who is going to pay to replace the expired batteries? The second big problem I see is a busy station would need hundreds if not thousands of batteries in reserve because they’re trading them faster then they can be charged.

It only takes 20 minutes to charge from 20 back up to 80% which is close to what i take to refuel my gasoline tractor. I let it cool down a bit before adding gasoline to the tank, the muffler and exhaust pipes are in a place where it would be pretty easy to splash gas onto. While im waiting for it to cool, i check bolts etc, grease anything that needs it.

 

[grsthegreat]

It only takes 20 minutes to charge from 20 back up to 80% which is close to what i take to refuel my gasoline tractor. I let it cool down a bit before adding gasoline to the tank, the muffler and exhaust pipes are in a place where it would be pretty easy to splash gas onto. While im waiting for it to cool, i check bolts etc, grease anything that needs it.

I dont think home chargers will ever charge that fast. Those rates are the commercial 3 phase units, at least from what ive been told

 

[TN8Man]

Too bad we don't have the grid infrastructure to support a growing EV industry. They are in the process of disabling the grid by shutting down fossil fuel power generation, nuclear generation and even hydroelectric with renewable energy that does not exist to meet the demand and won't exist to meet the demand for many decades to come.

 

[scootr]

Cheers to AI: Monarch Tractor Launches First Commercially Available Electric, ‘Driver Optional’ Smart Tractor

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blogs.nvidia.com

Looks like this could be interesting. I did not look too hard, but can't find data on how long it can run between charges.

Advertised 10 hour run time... I'm sure your mileage will vary. Its gonna use more juice to plow than cut.

 

[scootr]

Too bad we don't have the grid infrastructure to support a growing EV industry. They are in the process of disabling the grid by shutting down fossil fuel power generation, nuclear generation and even hydroelectric with renewable energy that does not exist to meet the demand and won't exist to meet the demand for many decades to come.

Sorry farmers you can not plow plant cut for the next few days as there is an energy shortage due to high demand.
Same message the EV car people got in CA last summer and the same message Sweden sent to all EV owners effective for the duration of the winter.

 

[cqaigy2]

Sorry farmers you can not plow plant cut for the next few days as there is an energy shortage due to high demand.
Same message the EV car people got in CA last summer and the same message Sweden sent to all EV owners effective for the duration of the winter.

The message to home owners that requested you to reduce demand during peak? It didn't say you couldn't plow plant or cut, it was talking about electric usage.

 

[TheMan419]

The message to home owners that requested you to reduce demand during peak? It didn't say you couldn't plow plant or cut, it was talking about electric usage.

Yes and interestingly the thought of what peak time is changes. There are studies coming out showing that charging EV during the day may be better for managing the grid than doing it overnight.

I am not aware of any request from any government to simply not charge EV's at all.

It is similar to those of us that live in areas with "ozone action days" where they ask us not to fuel vehicles, run lawn mowers or other small engines during the heat of the day.

 

[grsthegreat]

Yes and interestingly the thought of what peak time is changes. There are studies coming out showing that charging EV during the day may be better for managing the grid than doing it overnight.

I am not aware of any request from any government to simply not charge EV's at all.

It is similar to those of us that live in areas with "ozone action days" where they ask us not to fuel vehicles, run lawn mowers or other small engines during the heat of the day.

Switzerland could ban electric vehicle use during energy crisis: reports

Swiss officials said this week they could limit electric vehicle use during potential energy crisis this winter, along with sporting events, concerts, and cryptocurrency mining.

www.foxbusiness.com