Electric conversion of a Kubota B26 / Similar

[galstaf]

I was just offered a great deal on a Kubota B26 with a blown engine. Hydraulics apparently work just fine.
I am really interested in converting it to use a bunch of lithium battery packs from eBikes I got at an auction. There are 36V and 48V packs (42V to 54V when fully charged). Decent capacity.. 500Wh to 1kWh each.

Has anyone attempted this? I am thinking to remove the engine and find a similar spec 3 phase electric motor up 20 kw. I know electric motors are more torquey that ICE, so that may be overkill?

Thinking to run the motor at 72-96V on ebike batteries in series.

Remove engine but keep the flywheel mechanism and maybe some of the crank shaft to drive a pulley with the electric motor? The flywheel already connects to the electric starter motor so would that be strong enough to handle a 20kw motor via gear drive??

The attached pics show starter motor that drives flywheel.. but that may only handle the HST drive and the PTO.

There is a hydraulic pump on the RHS of the engine with a pump for the loader and backhoe and another for the steering mechanism. Any suggestions on how to handle that?

If anyone has anything that is remotely relevant, please post as much detail as you can. I am sure that there are many more people interested as the price of the tech comes down. What sort of motor / controller / etc etc did you use and how is it working out?

 

[galstaf]

Perhaps a separate electrically powered hydraulic motor for the loader and backhoe and another for the steering mechanism?
I am guessing there is a reason that Kubota has two separate hydraulic pumps for the loader portion and the power steering portion. Anyone have any insight on that?

 

[Smokeydog]

Would be interesting project to figure out.

Get a shop manual to get answers to your many questions adapting to many of systems like electrical, hydraulic, cooling, etc. Mining equipment generally is built for the dirty environment TLBs live in.
Not going to easy, cheap or as safe as OEM. Good luck.

 

[IndyJay]

Perhaps a separate electrically powered hydraulic motor for the loader and backhoe and another for the steering mechanism?
I am guessing there is a reason that Kubota has two separate hydraulic pumps for the loader portion and the power steering portion. Anyone have any insight on that?

If you are doing it as an experiment or just for the fun of it then it sounds worthwhile project, if for no other reason to just able to say you did it. If it is to build a "for real working tractor", I would say wait until the experts spend their time and money on it, wait for the reviews, then if you really want an electric SCUT buy one.

 

[dodge man]

My guess is unless you have great fabrication skills it would not work well. A B26 is a small TLB but is construction grade and quality. A fairly valuable if running, I’d find an engine for it.

 

[sea2summit]

What is "blown" on that engine? Looks brand new, paint on the flywheel etc.

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

Yes, I'd like to know what is wrong with that diesel too. Fixing that would be the path of least resistance.

For electric, you would need a constantly running motor for the hydraulics and a different motor for the transmission and PTO. Even then, you wouldn't have a live PTO. I would not use any of the existing diesel and build custom gearboxes to match motor to load.

 

[sea2summit]

Hope OP comes back, my curiosity is really peaked on that blown engine.

 

[galstaf]

Hope OP comes back, my curiosity is really peaked on that blown engine.

Not entirely sure, but it was run with the oil plug out and the engine is seized by all accounts. I have looked at it briefly and not done a deep dive yet.

The engine on the pictures is just for illustration of what the electric motor would replace, and posted to show the flywheel and how the starter motor drives and turns over the engine.

 

[galstaf]

Yes, I'd like to know what is wrong with that diesel too. Fixing that would be the path of least resistance.

For electric, you would need a constantly running motor for the hydraulics and a different motor for the transmission and PTO. Even then, you wouldn't have a live PTO. I would not use any of the existing diesel and build custom gearboxes to match motor to load.

I already have a similar diesel tractor. I was looking at this to be able to use tractor in an enclosed space without fumes and also be able to use it quietly in residential areas.

I was really looking for someone that had already done this on a similar SCUT. I saw a converted power trac and figured someone in the world must have converted a kubota tractor by now.