Tractor News Viable Electric Tractor?

[Grumpycat]

Eco-friendly my patoot. They just burn the fuel in a different location and transport it inefficiently to the battery charger.

So what? Is trivially easy to use electricity from any source. Excruciatingly difficult to get diesel from anything but crude oil, and even that is difficult. But with $10,000 of solar panels you would never have to buy fuel ever again. No waste or byproducts. No consumables.

And even if your electricity is generated from coal the equivalent pollution is that of a 30 MPG gasoline automobile. Or about 40 MPG "clean" diesel.

 

[crashz]

I question why they need a 2 range 4 speed transmission with an electric motor on the eUtility? Probably they don't need it other than its the frame of the tractor. And $45,000 is crazy.

The CET looks like a good homeowner suburbanite machine. And 3 hours at home in the yard, of actual working time, is probably a lot for those. So they could be a real popular product. Point it this way, I'd rather have an electric lawn tractor, than electric car. At least you wouldn't be far from home if you ran outa juice.

There is a company that retrofits Takeuchi mini excavators to run on battery power. Nice for inside buildings and such. But they want $250K for them.
They aren't that nice.

 

[/pine]

...Excruciatingly difficult to get diesel from anything but crude oil...

Ever heard of "biodiesel" ?...It's often made from vegetable oil ... no crude required...! it is fairly easy to make by the average consumer at minimal expense for apparatus etc..

 

[desertdog71]

These things are for idealists not realists.

Perfect

 

[Industrial Toys]

These tractors will be harvesting the "Vegetable Based Meatballs" of the future.

 

[5030]

Eco-friendly my patoot. They just burn the fuel in a different location and transport it inefficiently to the battery charger.

Exactly. Why I don't own a Tesla or a Volt or any of the above. (pr below).

 

[5030]

Ever heard of "biodiesel" ?...It's often made from vegetable oil ... no crude required...! it is fairly easy to make by the average consumer at minimal expense for apparatus etc..

Crap is real good for growing algae too. You better stick the the electric car thread you are totally outta your domain here.

 

[5030]

I can see this is gonna turn into a tree hugger, vegan munching thread. I'm unsubscribing as of this comment. Have fun. I'll stick with my turbo diesels thank you.

 

[chim]

So what? Is trivially easy to use electricity from any source. Excruciatingly difficult to get diesel from anything but crude oil, and even that is difficult. But with $10,000 of solar panels you would never have to buy fuel ever again. No waste or byproducts. No consumables.

And even if your electricity is generated from coal the equivalent pollution is that of a 30 MPG gasoline automobile. Or about 40 MPG "clean" diesel.

Where did those numbers come from? If you check the link below, Schneider Electric claims power plant efficiency is around 35 percent, PLUS line losses to get it from the plant are between 8 and 15 percent. I maintain it's more efficient to burn the fuel in the equipment and skip all the wasteful steps.


How big are Power line losses? - Schneider Electric Blog

 

[Grumpycat]

...Excruciatingly difficult to get diesel from anything but crude oil...

Ever heard of "biodiesel" ?...It's often made from vegetable oil ... no crude required...! it is fairly easy to make by the average consumer at minimal expense for apparatus etc..

Sure have! Thats how I was informed well enough to say, "excruciating".

Vegetable oil diesel is something other than biodiesel. Its not something you will get a direct injection engine to run very long without replacing expensive injectors and fuel pumps. Viable for old mechanical injection engines.

If that is something you believe to be a solution then let me suggest CNG. You can use a simple gas valve spraying NG in the diesel engine's intake. Sync it to the accelerator pedal. Can run 75% diesel to 25% NG pretty easily. Still need diesel but you can dilute it with cheap CNG... if you have a source for CNG. Or use Propane, but Propane is expensive but uses a cheaper tank.

12 years ago there was a vendor selling a biodiesel kit for $10,000. At then current prices for natural gas (to heat), sugar, and methanol one could make biodiesel for only $1.65/gallon! But then had to dispose of filters and the spent methanol crud.

DIY kit could be shopped component by component and get up and running for only $6,000!

Excruciating.

For $10k one can purchase solar panels and inverter. Simply plug into the EV. No waste. No mess. No fuss. No fumes. And have surplus power for the home and shop.