What About An Electric Power Trac?????

[farm boy00]

Heres a good example. Homemade but similar to a powertrac.

DIY 48V mini loader moving wet snow with 180cm bucket - YouTube

 

[tcreeley]

I'd be concerned about an electic vehicle on a -10F day clearing snow for 3-4 hours. I think I'd trust my tractor more.

 

[ededic]

I'd be concerned about an electic vehicle on a -10F day clearing snow for 3-4 hours. I think I'd trust my tractor more.

I want to read this comment in 20 years and see what my thoughts are. Things haven’t changed much in this area over the past 20 years but I think the next 20 will be interesting to say the least.

 

[MossRoad]

I'd be concerned about an electic vehicle on a -10F day clearing snow for 3-4 hours. I think I'd trust my tractor more.

The OP isn't planning on doing that task with this potential project, so that's not a concern for him.

I own a similar machine to the OP's. I clear snow from my driveway and my neighbor's driveway. Mine's 150'. His is about 200'. I don't think, even in the worst weather with 18" of snow, I've ever spent more than an hour doing both of our drives.

Typically, with 4-6" of snow, it takes me about 10-15 minutes to do both drives. Just three passes and I'm done.

What I'd be more concerned about is that with this type of machine being all hydraulic, is that I have to start it up and let it run at about 1/3 throttle for about 10 minutes before the hydraulics get warmed up enough to work well when the temps are below about 35F. That would cause some serious battery draw if it were an electric machine. It could be easily mitigated with an in-tank 110v warming element in the 10 gallon reservoir and a moving quilt for insulation.

 

[MossRoad]

Heres a good example. Homemade but similar to a powertrac.

DIY 48V mini loader moving wet snow with 180cm bucket - YouTube

That's more like it! Good example.

I noticed that machine has differentials, so it's a bit different than the PT. It would be way more efficient moving that machine with straight electric motor turning transmission VS the PT with electric motor turning hydraulic pump pushing wheel motors. Lots more loss in the PT drivetrain than that machine. I also wonder if he's running an electric power-pac to pressurize the loader and steering VS the PT which is always on?

I'd like to find out more about his build.

 

[MossRoad]

The energy density in batteries is about 4% of that in gasoline, and I think that is optimistic. As such when you build an electric vehicle you have to minimize the energy use in every component. Power Tracs do not presently do this by any stretch of the imagination.

You got that right. The PT on internal combustion is always "ON" with full engine HP and hydraulic pressure at the ready whether you need it at the moment or not. Electric vehicles turn everything off when not needed to conserve battery life.

 

[tcreeley]

The OP isn't planning on doing that task with this potential project, so that's not a concern for him.

I own a similar machine to the OP's. I clear snow from my driveway and my neighbor's driveway. Mine's 150'. His is about 200'. I don't think, even in the worst weather with 18" of snow, I've ever spent more than an hour doing both of our drives.

Typically, with 4-6" of snow, it takes me about 10-15 minutes to do both drives. Just three passes and I'm done.

What I'd be more concerned about is that with this type of machine being all hydraulic, is that I have to start it up and let it run at about 1/3 throttle for about 10 minutes before the hydraulics get warmed up enough to work well when the temps are below about 35F. That would cause some serious battery draw if it were an electric machine. It could be easily mitigated with an in-tank 110v warming element in the 10 gallon reservoir and a moving quilt for insulation.

Interesting machine - has its applications. Electric has come a long ways, and going further. My 3 cy diesel is basically a hydraulic unit. The motor powers the pump. It does take time to fully warm up, despite keeping it plugged in all winter. - 5 ft bucket and with 2 drives and the barnyard and road paths to get wood to the house- I have spent many hours at a time clearing snow. 3-4 is the least I can expect. Being retired I could space it out over a couple of days. -

Then throw in the walk behind snowblower to cut walking paths! - Best thing we did was buy some LLBean down parkas at the very beginning rated to -40F and turn them into work clothes! ....The little things!