Electric tractor

[rpoage]

Lets crank this up a notch:

I do love the devotion of what I call "Whole Wheat Twinkies". Where does the electricity come from to charge the batteries? If it comes from solar, hydro electric, nuclear or wind generated then this is somewhat of an acceptable environmental positive. One must also take into account the recycling of the batteries used in this application. While lead acid batteries have enough lead to warrant recycling the economy of the operation is not viable in many industrialized countries. Here is a short article from Greenpeace on lead acid batteries.
The Myth of Automobile Battery Recycling
If your electric is coming off the grid then the burning of hydrocarbon fuels is most likely the source of your energy. While you may proudly show off your "Green" tractor to your neighbors the fact is that somewhere down the grid is an environmental nightmare of pollution and Co2 emissions. If you don't see smoke coming out the exhaust pipe it dosn't mean there is no pollution.

For me, I'll keep running my small, polluting diesel tractor and will instead concentrate more on living an environmentally sound lifestyle.

Let the beating begin!

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Ummm...............this was already covered in post 15. And as far as Greenpeace is concerned, They are about as radical kook fringe group as PETA. I believe their propaganda about as much as I do the skinheads.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Nat, I just read your previous post, along with Ian's. All my experience is with much higher amperage units than you are building. If I were to build an electric tractor, judging by Ian's values given, it would probably be way too overpowered. He-he, welcome to America. At least I'd have the fastest electric tractor out there. Just to give you an example, the batteries in the units I work on weigh from 1200 lbs. to 4000 lbs. Even to put the smaller size components into something your size would be overkill. The unit would weigh a ton. If I do build one, perhaps it will be a full size tractor, complete with SCR controlled hydraulics. This would all be simple direct bolt-ins straight out of a forklift.

Ian, it looks like I owe you an apology. Perhaps your unit is not underpowered. I am used to working on much powerful units and did not think that your motors would do much. In my industry, the motors you are using are used for steering.

 

[js5020]

Why is it as soon as someone mentions electric power, we immediately have to go into a philisophical debate about about the true environmental impact of energy source choices???? Personally I really don't give a rats behind either way! I think most of the retoric is biased towards whoevers position is being supported and they use it to pry money out of the sheep herd to fund it! ( my OPINION, you are also entitled to an OPINION, and I don't wish to debate it, I'll keep mine ,you keep yours ). I view electric power as a choice just like gas or diesel,,,, mind you if your a do it yourselfer and don't have a clue, and don't want a clue about diesel then guess how many your going to own?? none, your gonna stick to what you know, unless you are forced to do otherwise. I deal with gasoline, propane, diesel, and electric power everyday each has its good points and bad and each has it's place in the grand scheme.

 

[2manyrocks]

I think Nat, for one, was asking for some ideas about converting his David Bradley to electric power. Wouldn't one of the challenges be to figure out where to put the batteries since he is attempting to convert a 2 wheel tractor? Unless he already has the implements for the David Bradley, the availability of implements could be a future issue. Looks like a 4 wheel garden tractor would be an easier conversion?

Here is a link to an interesting conversion of an Allis Chalmers Model G. Allis Chalmers "G" Electric Cultivating and Seeding Tractor Conversion Project

 

[js5020]

Yes, I think a 2 wheeler would pose a problem,,,, where to put the batteries??? If you put them on top the unit would have a very high center of gravity,,, if you put them on either end you could disturb the balance necessary for ease of operation. Now somewhere I found and early 2 wheeler,, it was an electric, but powered by the grid, basically had a big extension cord arrangement, don't know if it worked but it looked different.

 

[js5020]

I found the site Bungartz.nl . They even show a couple of grid powered tracked machines.

 

[2manyrocks]

That's an interesting site. I had no clue that anybody had ever powered tractors via electric lines.

 

[js5020]

I found it while doing 2 wheel tractor "research".

 

[IanH]

Nat, I just read your previous post, along with Ian's. All my experience is with much higher amperage units than you are building. If I were to build an electric tractor, judging by Ian's values given, it would probably be way too overpowered. He-he, welcome to America. At least I'd have the fastest electric tractor out there. Just to give you an example, the batteries in the units I work on weigh from 1200 lbs. to 4000 lbs. Even to put the smaller size components into something your size would be overkill. The unit would weigh a ton. If I do build one, perhaps it will be a full size tractor, complete with SCR controlled hydraulics. This would all be simple direct bolt-ins straight out of a forklift.

Ian, it looks like I owe you an apology. Perhaps your unit is not underpowered. I am used to working on much powerful units and did not think that your motors would do much. In my industry, the motors you are using are used for steering.

Hi,

No problem. The wee tractor is intended for light duties and I wouldn't claim any more than that - more power will be needed for heavier work - but how much, that's the question?



Nat,

Thanks for the info - I'll take a moment and have a look at the pics.


All,

I won't make any comment on the environmental impact debate. I have to admit my interest in electric vehicles has little to do with the environmental issues. Electric motors are very effective prime movers, why not use them in vehicles? There are problems - energy storage being the most obvious, but that's no reason for not trying.

Ian