No way, man. That's the big misconception with diesel electric. It's in fact much simpler! All you have is a diesel generator with wires running to individual electric motors where needed. It's modular, small, light, and simple. You eliminate gear boxes, transfer cases, hydraulic piping and tanks, oil coolers etc.. It's a proven technology that is only now making a big comeback due to technological advances in the last decade that have made the whole thing cheaper, better, and smaller. Emissions requirements are driving it as well. Have you run a newer machine lately? I know everyone is afraid of electronics, but they're here, and they've been here for a while now. They're reliable too, which is why the big manufacturers are using them. Do you really think John Deere, Cat, Case/IH and others would fill their cabs with electronic controls if they didn't work really well? Try running a new machine with the electronic over hydraulic pilot controls and you'll wonder why it took so long! Awesome stuff.
Point being, it's so unobtrusive these days, you won't even know it's there. Tractor will function the same or better, but the principle behind it's operation will be completely different.
Do a search for Caterpillar's new diesel electric dozer, the D7E. It's actually shipping now. Operators are raving about it. Don't be confused - it's not a hybrid. Again, it's a diesel generator which supplies power to individual components where needed. It's the future and it's here.
