Contemplating an electric go-kart as a small yard cart puller

[ning]

My wife does a lot of weeding, trimming and pruning, and generates a lot of yard waste; this gets put into a simple garden cart (10 cu ft) which is currently pulled behind our aged lawn tractor.
That lawn tractor as noted is old, and it's noisy, stinky, and lots of starts and stops just moving the cart a bit here and there is tough on its battery.

I have in mind something electric (battery EV) that can pull it around the land; that would allow her to move the cart fifteen or fifteen hundred feet to the next work spot if she wants with no bother about starting it, worry about leaving it running because it's just a quick stop or not, etc.

Range is a very low requirement - we've got 8 acres and this thing really only needs to do a few loops of the land at the most between charges - like, a mile - so it doesn't need a lot of battery capacity, and it definitely doesn't need a lot of power - just a nicely geared-down drive system that allows say 1-5mph speed. The land is bumpy enough that I don't expect it to need to go much faster than that.

Those requirements, of course, rule out pretty much everything on the market. An electric UTV with a dump bed would be pie-in-the-sky ideal, but they're way bigger than we want (one person capacity and narrower would be better) and have way more capability (30+mph, miles and miles of range) and way way way more cost.

I'll deal with dumping the cart instead of a dump bed, and the rest of the unit... I've been coming to basically an off-road go cart, converted to electric, with a welded-on trailer hitch. Probably gear it way down in the conversion process, which should make pulling the trailer trivial (the trailer never gets more than a hundred pounds anyways, and she's light, and I'm not particularly heavy either if I need to use it). The low-slung nature of a go-kart, with bigger wheels & tires on the off-road version, is appealing for stability as well.

Anyone here play with off-road go carts much? I see some cheap electric versions, but they seem really small even the "for adults and teenagers", though it would probably be fine for my wife. Still wouldn't mind something slightly bigger...

This is probably one of those "someday I'll do this" projects.

 

[John_Mc]

I wonder if one of the battery powered riding mowers would do the trick? They are limited in speed and range (though that gets probably gets better if you are not mowing.) They are a whole lot less expensive than electric UTVs.

 

[General Lee]

Golf carts are convenient and have their place.....start saving now for when you have to replace all batteries.

 

[Torvy]

HiSun Sector E1. $12-13k. Winch, roof, windshield, hitch receiver all standard. Dump bed. 4WD.

I use ours to pull our 14' trailer all around our 20 ac. About 40 miles per charge, so every couple of weeks. Regular AC plug.

Negative is it is Chinese. Assembled in McKinney, TX.

We did have a problem with the charger initially. They ended up replacing the UTV and resetting our warranty in writing.

 

[zzvyb6]

My 48V Lithium powered AEV Super Cart has a truck hitch on the back, carries a lot of stuff, and even people with the rails lowered. I can yank a dual axle trailer with 48 bales of hay on it up an include with only traction being the issue. Better tires solved that problem.

 

[RjCorazza]

I also use a standard golf cart for around the property. I have turf style tires that give more than adequate traction.

 

[bdhsfz6]

How about something like this:

Amazon.com: [3-in-1] Arczorix Suqare Electric Wheelbarrow Utility Cart, Electric Powered Cart 48V 20Ah 1000W Capacity 2205Lbs (One Ton), Material Hauler, Utility Cart Wagon : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Buy [3-in-1] Arczorix Suqare Electric Wheelbarrow Utility Cart, Electric Powered Cart 48V 20Ah 1000W Capacity 2205Lbs (One Ton), Material Hauler, Utility Cart Wagon: Wheelbarrows - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[docone]

We as well use our electric club car as a runabout on the acreage. works great and pulls our little dump trailer with ease.

 

[EscapedSuburbia]

I sold my golf cart a couple years ago before we moved to our current property and am sorry I did. A lot of what I do with a UTV could be done with less lawn damage with a golf cart.

 

[ning]

HiSun Sector E1. $12-13k. Winch, roof, windshield, hitch receiver all standard. Dump bed. 4WD.

I use ours to pull our 14' trailer all around our 20 ac. About 40 miles per charge, so every couple of weeks. Regular AC plug.

Negative is it is Chinese. Assembled in McKinney, TX.

We did have a problem with the charger initially. They ended up replacing the UTV and resetting our warranty in writing.

Way out of the price range, but sounds cool.

My 48V Lithium powered AEV Super Cart has a truck hitch on the back, carries a lot of stuff, and even people with the rails lowered. I can yank a dual axle trailer with 48 bales of hay on it up an include with only traction being the issue. Better tires solved that problem.

Love it - also out of the price range.

How about something like this:

View attachment 4530030

Amazon.com: [3-in-1] Arczorix Suqare Electric Wheelbarrow Utility Cart, Electric Powered Cart 48V 20Ah 1000W Capacity 2205Lbs (One Ton), Material Hauler, Utility Cart Wagon : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Buy [3-in-1] Arczorix Suqare Electric Wheelbarrow Utility Cart, Electric Powered Cart 48V 20Ah 1000W Capacity 2205Lbs (One Ton), Material Hauler, Utility Cart Wagon: Wheelbarrows - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Suspect it would fall over on 90% of the land.

I wonder if one of the battery powered riding mowers would do the trick? They are limited in speed and range (though that gets probably gets better if you are not mowing.) They are a whole lot less expensive than electric UTVs.

That's probably closest to what I'm thinking about, though I'd be concerned about the gearing as my gas lawn "tractor" already has some issues pulling the trailer when it's loaded up a bit (not that it gets particularly heavy, but there are hills here).

I had figured getting an off-road go-kart frame and basically building an electric go-cart... something like the "yerfdog". Select gearing to make it really slow and super torquey.

Benefits would be, very low to the ground so especially on the upper garden "road" which barely qualifies for the name because of large rocks (boulders? bedrock? I tried to dig & pull them out but I think I'd need to blast it) embedded it would let her feel confident that it won't roll over - and anyway that yerfdog has effectively a roll cage (which I personally wouldn't want to test, but at 3-5mph should be ok)... light weight build with no extras, no expensive OEM battery packs.

 

[ning]

Anyone have experience with an electric JD Gator?
Not sure if it's 4x2 or 4x4 yet; how well would a 4x2 do relatively unloaded on a rocky bumpy not-flat road (not quite a jeep trail but close lol)?
Gators seem a bit wide for our purpose but I love the power dump box for the wife + the electric drive for lots of very short trips.

 

[Highlandr]

There has to be something like this near you.

I'd never heard of a "steep hill chip" before, but I guess it's a thing. Would need more off-roadier tires.

Point is... gonna be WAY cheaper than anything that has a JD decal on it.

 

[sd455dan]

How about something like this:

View attachment 4530030

Amazon.com: [3-in-1] Arczorix Suqare Electric Wheelbarrow Utility Cart, Electric Powered Cart 48V 20Ah 1000W Capacity 2205Lbs (One Ton), Material Hauler, Utility Cart Wagon : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Buy [3-in-1] Arczorix Suqare Electric Wheelbarrow Utility Cart, Electric Powered Cart 48V 20Ah 1000W Capacity 2205Lbs (One Ton), Material Hauler, Utility Cart Wagon: Wheelbarrows - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I like this ali version

 

[ning]

I like this ali versionView attachment 4574437

the "road" to the upper garden isn't a nice one and isn't likely to get better because of the buried boulders; these things as I mentioned in a previous post above would likely fall over due to high CoG versus narrow track. Also, very small bed so it would still have to tow a trailer for bulk weeding/pruning, and it would be pretty tough to pull a trailer with it while you're walking behind it.

 

[rontaki]

We have an electric SxS Polaris Ranger for around the property duties, and occasional short drive on local roads.
I just can't emphasize enough that for the short and frequent stop/start use it gets, the electric drivetrain is far superior to an ICE drivetrain. If you have longer distances to drive, or cannot charge it as needed, that is a different matter. Plus, plugging it in is so easy, it almost never runs out of battery on our use.
I did have to replace the batteries once (ouch!), possibly earlier than would have been needed otherwise due to dealer neglect of keeping them charged. I spent a little more money to replace the lead acid batteries with lithium, so should not have to replace batteries for a long time. Also don't have to water them, flush the battery tray to prevent rot and corrosion. Not to mention that draining them most or all the way does not permanently wound them as would be the case with lead acid. And the EV is 500 pounds lighter than with the original lead acid batteries.

 

[sd455dan]

the "road" to the upper garden isn't a nice one and isn't likely to get better because of the buried boulders; these things as I mentioned in a previous post above would likely fall over due to high CoG versus narrow track. Also, very small bed so it would still have to tow a trailer for bulk weeding/pruning, and it would be pretty tough to pull a trailer with it while you're walking behind it.

Maybe a gutted Suzuki Samurai? The gator sounds like a plan.

We use both an electric Golf cart, an old Cushman gas cart, also put a hitch on the JD X 500 with diff lock but none are 4x4 and no steep hills to traverse.

 

[rvds]

I used an old Cushman factory three wheel buggy until the batteries needed replacing. I loved it for electric fence moving as I did not have to get off to do most of the work. It was useless in mud but fine on hard ground.

 

[inchman]

Here is my unconventional thoughts on this. First, I have a little go-cart that I bought to let my friends kids ride when they are over at the property. I found it to be GREAT for riding around and picking up rocks and stick as I can sit and drive it around and just reach over and pick up things off the ground without having to even get out of the seat. I put a container in the passenger seat to put the items in.

With that said, it is difficult to get in and out of for people who are of a certain age. You know, us guys that obsess about what size fruit our prostate is! 8>) So it really wouldn't be great to have to get in and out of it more than once.

Have you looked at a used quad ATV in your area? Normally they are pretty affordable (not electric), but you can find them for less than 2 grand almost all the time.

But, I think most people overlook a great option. If you property will allow it, what about just getting a beater car? Even better if you can find a wagon. Something like a Subaru or something with all wheel drive. A/C Heat, radio, comfort, and getting in an out of it is a breeze. Plus, if you want to insure and register it, you have an extra car and you can use it to pick up dirty loads. Just another idea.

Yes, I think the UTVs are WAY overpriced for what they are. Golf carts are a great answer, but battery replacement is very expensive.

 

[kneedeep]

Get a used golf cart and put good tires on it.
Batteries are expensive but what isn’t?.
I put batteries in 3 years ago and still going good although I need to check the water in them.

 

[ScipioUSA]

I agree with the golf cart camp here. We had an EzGo that had a utility bed on it, and it was great for around the property. The guy before me had put a lift on it and some meatier tires. Gave it to my father when we got a SxS, and he takes it all over for trimming hedgerows. It was a gas model, but they are meant to stop and start all the time so it's really not an issue.

Your wife can use the bed that's on it, and if you had a need to use the two behind cart you could always still fire up your existing mower.