Electric tractor

[Steave]

I've noticed the advancement of solar panels and in my area are fields of solar panels. There must be something to their usefulness for the energy companies to invest. On the other hand I've read reports that most of the world would have to be covered in solar panels to supply our energy needs. At least someone is investing in technology to support a change.

Back to the electric powered tractors, I'm surprised to see a few products put into production. I'm grateful these companies are investing in technology and every time we buy these products we also are investing.

When solar panels first hit the market as a DIY product cost was about $7 / watt, now it's closer to $1 / watt. My source is the NT catalog. 1800 watt system for $1900 dollars. Of course this ain't some super system and other things are needed but the price of the panels themselves have become more affordable. Heck if it's gets down to .50 cents / watt I may jump in.

There is some very bright people in this world that could work together and solve numerous obstacles to come up with a better energy system worldwide but it all boils down to $$$$$ and as stated we simply can't afford it.

Lets get back to electric tractors building. Dang I sure would love to have one.

 

[/pine]

...I once was extremely optimistic about hot fusion. Of anything, I believe, it has more potential than anything else. Over time I realized that, as noted in my previous paragraph, that there was more to the equation than just energy: though, as I knew, with hot fusion there is the possibility of precision reclamation/recycling, which would help address the issue of minerals (recovery), w/o providing, though, for the creation of MORE. NOTE: yes, "hot fusion" exists in the form of the sun

Lastly, and perhaps this is why hot fusion (or even cold, which I was always highly doubtful over, feeling that it was a horrible distraction from hot fusion) could never be available, is that the powers that be wouldn't be the "powers that be" if everyone had the power of fusion. How much truth exists here is hard to say other than human nature has lots of history behind it...

Don't give up hope...plasma technology (fusion) is alive and well...a milestone was recently met by ITER

On the road to ITER: milestones

 

[cqaigy2]

Don't give up hope...plasma technology (fusion) is alive and well...a milestone was recently met by ITER

On the road to ITER: milestones

It will be interesting to see it.

 

[buickanddeere]

I've noticed the advancement of solar panels and in my area are fields of solar panels. There must be something to their usefulness for the energy companies to invest. On the other hand I've read reports that most of the world would have to be covered in solar panels to supply our energy needs. At least someone is investing in technology to support a change.

Back to the electric powered tractors, I'm surprised to see a few products put into production. I'm grateful these companies are investing in technology and every time we buy these products we also are investing.

When solar panels first hit the market as a DIY product cost was about $7 / watt, now it's closer to $1 / watt. My source is the NT catalog. 1800 watt system for $1900 dollars. Of course this ain't some super system and other things are needed but the price of the panels themselves have become more affordable. Heck if it's gets down to .50 cents / watt I may jump in.

There is some very bright people in this world that could work together and solve numerous obstacles to come up with a better energy system worldwide but it all boils down to $$$$$ and as stated we simply can't afford it.

Lets get back to electric tractors building. Dang I sure would love to have one.

Tell us how your solar panels power lights, cooking equipment, heating, air conditioning, water pumping, industry, hospitals and yard lights at night.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Tell us how your solar panels power lights, cooking equipment, heating, air conditioning, water pumping, industry, hospitals and yard lights at night.

I don't think anyone ever said that solar panels would be the one and only source of electrical energy. They are just one piece of the puzzle. Off grid friends are running their whole places on solar but have battery backup for night and the Alaskan ones have to supplement with generators in winter but for 3 months or so at least they don't have to buy fuel for their generators.

Grid tied solar systems could help immensely in just taking the excess demand from all the air conditioning in the sun belt!

With the exception of my welder all my electrical needs are met with my water wheel and because of the way I use my tractor an electric tractor would be perfect, (my electricity is cheap and I am constantly dumping excess load) although electricity and salt water don't always make the best companions

 

[buickanddeere]

How does the power utility stay in business when solar is paid premium dollars for daytime peak power . How does the utility with fossil, Nuclear and hydraulic pay the bills ?

 

[vvanders]

How does the power utility stay in business when solar is paid premium dollars for daytime peak power . How does the utility with fossil, Nuclear and hydraulic pay the bills ?

I know this is a radical thought but maybe they could also install solar panels as well?

 

[LouNY]

How does the power utility stay in business when solar is paid premium dollars for daytime peak power . How does the utility with fossil, Nuclear and hydraulic pay the bills ?

Good points;
While this thread has lost it's original line something to consider is with all the interest in the so called renewable energy wind and solar.
There are going to be some major problems as more and more wind and solar come on line, they are not a constant and stable rate of production,
clouds and wind changes can and do occur rapidly, when that happens the major conventional generators had to ramp up and or down rapidly to compensate
so that we as consumers don't see low or high voltages if the renewables are climbing they are having to cut down and loss efficiency and the when there is a
sudden drop from renewables they have to push there outputs to the max to smooth the power to us.
We as a people are being extremely short sighted not to be developing more hydro-electric capacity and (oh my here we go) nuclear plants and capability's.
The not in my backyard syndrome has to stop.

 

[buickanddeere]

I know this is a radical thought but maybe they could also install solar panels as well?

Serious or kidding with that answer ? How about we cut all subsidies for all wind, solar, hydraulic and tidal power . Then let the market iron out the industry for the lowest cost and most reliable power.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

I think the solar plants are just the same as an electric tractor, they both have their place in the puzzle and neither will "own" the market but both will have an important place.

In the long run I think economics will dictate usage but in the short term new technologies will need a leg up, although the "old" technologies are still getting plenty of legs up:/

 

[chriswheeler]

I think lots of us small tractor users could go to electric right now and they would serve us well. The big deal is price and economy. Mass production could bring down costs, but right now, thinking diesel is still going to still be cheaper. Tesla recently built a new battery plant about 100 miles to my north, very happy to see it up and running. I think Tesla has taken a great position to put us all into EV's now that no one else has. What's holding us back with many EV's is better battery technology, longer lasting, at a better price. I have room out here to put up between 8-10K watts of solar panels, what prevents me from doing this is the price. Along with improved batteries, better and cheaper solar panels would cause me to put solar up on my place. It would be great to charge a electric tractor off my own solar panels and charge up my car or truck as well ?? A electric tractor would work out the same, affordable price with a shorter return on the investment. With solar panels having a return on investment or 25 years or more, most of us older folks would never see any gain in our lifetime. If Tesla could produce better batteries cheaper, the same for solar panels, their business would end up bigger than GM. Wouldn't it be great to see those solar panels produce here in the USA. Tractors, cars and trucks, and what ever else you could imagine would be developed and hit the market at a affordable price. Sure some stuff would still be diesel or gas depending on the operation needs. I think EV's are a thing of the future just like the solar on my house, but the technology needs to improve and the costs need to come down to make all of this affordable. Tesla has taken a great position for this market, I wish them the best, hope their R&D team is working overtime to make it happen.
Chris

 

[mike69440]

Storage, be it batteries or other potential energy is a big drawback. The best lead acid battery 100 years ago had about 25% energy density of today's best batteries. 4X improvement in a century, Be glad semiconductors have not progressed that slowly. We installed solar last year. We end up selling excess back to our electric co-op at pennies on the dollar. I looked into what our little farm would need for batteries, and my best options was haul in a WWII sub!.

Forget what Tesla tell you. The world needs the great battery discovery to help make this all work.

 

[4570Man]

I think lots of us small tractor users could go to electric right now and they would serve us well. The big deal is price and economy. Mass production could bring down costs, but right now, thinking diesel is still going to still be cheaper. Tesla recently built a new battery plant about 100 miles to my north, very happy to see it up and running. I think Tesla has taken a great position to put us all into EV's now that no one else has. What's holding us back with many EV's is better battery technology, longer lasting, at a better price. I have room out here to put up between 8-10K watts of solar panels, what prevents me from doing this is the price. Along with improved batteries, better and cheaper solar panels would cause me to put solar up on my place. It would be great to charge a electric tractor off my own solar panels and charge up my car or truck as well ?? A electric tractor would work out the same, affordable price with a shorter return on the investment. With solar panels having a return on investment or 25 years or more, most of us older folks would never see any gain in our lifetime. If Tesla could produce better batteries cheaper, the same for solar panels, their business would end up bigger than GM. Wouldn't it be great to see those solar panels produce here in the USA. Tractors, cars and trucks, and what ever else you could imagine would be developed and hit the market at a affordable price. Sure some stuff would still be diesel or gas depending on the operation needs. I think EV's are a thing of the future just like the solar on my house, but the technology needs to improve and the costs need to come down to make all of this affordable. Tesla has taken a great position for this market, I wish them the best, hope their R&D team is working overtime to make it happen.
Chris

Moving overseas is high on the priority list of mass production at an affordable price.

 

[buickanddeere]

Higher capacity , longer service life and cheaper lithium batteries in the future ? The low hanging fruit in the lithium battery design was picked a long time ago.

 

[chriswheeler]

As 4570Man above has stated that moving the manufacturing overseas has to be a high priority to most manufactures. But the move Tesla made up here by Reno could be used as a model for keeping this manufacturing here. Tax incentives to keep the innovation here along with the jobs generated should be what the politicians should focus on, and focus on nation wide. Better batteries and solar cells at a cheaper price would cause a small revolution out here in rural America. If I could realize a return on investment ( cost of solar VS the cost of power ) in 10 years, I for one would be all in. Cost of solar on my place without any storage would run $50,000. For me at this point in time, return on investment will take 20+ years, longer than I'll be alive. Tesla, or anyone else who can change and improve that could have more business than they could ever handle. That battery operated tractor would be sitting at lots of places out here. The politicians having the foresight to make this business, and others stay here could provide lots of jobs and taxes generated by this as well. So far, only group I see doing this is Tesla, and I wish them the best of luck. I'm 68 years old, and I doubt that in my lifetime I'm going to see much of this, but I have no doubt that those who follow me will, just a matter of who.
Chris

 

[mike69440]

We did Solar for 5 Basic reasons.

1. Wife Wanted it.

2. Tax incentives, write offs both state and federal.

3 Cuts electric Bill.

4. Barn needed a roof anyways.

5. Refinanced the entire farm mortgage for a lower interest rate.

It took all five to make it happen.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

If your using a coal fired plant to charge all these EV vehicles, why not just cut out all the middle steps with conversion losses, plus this is impressive.

110HP Case Steam Tractor Pull Pinckneyville Illinois August 15 2014 - YouTube

David

 

[4570Man]

And if you thought electric had impressive toque at low rpm, then you'd really like the steamer.

 

[chriswheeler]

Biggest payback, or the fastest return on investment would happen when you are charging your tractor off your own solar cells at your house or property. The costs of the tractor, the costs of solar cells are still to high to make it economically feasible right now, with some new innovations and creative thinking like Mike69440 did above, it can happen. Using utility supplied electricity to charge a tractor or anything else battery powered will end up as a looser on paying for the electric used for the charge. We still have a ways to go with this, but here in Nevada, Tesla is set themselves in a position to take a giant lead with these needed innovations.
Chris

 

[buickanddeere]

Biggest payback, or the fastest return on investment would happen when you are charging your tractor off your own solar cells at your house or property. The costs of the tractor, the costs of solar cells are still to high to make it economically feasible right now, with some new innovations and creative thinking like Mike69440 did above, it can happen. Using utility supplied electricity to charge a tractor or anything else battery powered will end up as a looser on paying for the electric used for the charge. We still have a ways to go with this, but here in Nevada, Tesla is set themselves in a position to take a giant lead with these needed innovations.
Chris

Off peak utility power is usually cheaper than having your own solar panels