Would you buy an electric tractor?

[4570Man]

How much energy is expended powering hydraulics?

Why do you think that energy is wasted when it is doing something desirable?

Think you could turn screw jacks more efficiently and reliably with electric motors? If so then why do we use hydraulics? The one application I know of a large screw jack is the elevator of large T-tail aircraft.

Consider this: diesel locomotives and large earthmoving trucks use Diesel engine to drive an alternator which drives electric motors at the wheels. Not because it is efficient but because it is light, simple, and reliable.

Hydraulic cylinders are probably more effective for lifting than a screw jack. But an electric motor and a cord is way more efficient than than a pump, hoses and a motor for power transmission. Trying to power a HST transmission with a battery is a recipe for failure.

 

[ericm979]

You're right, with an electric motor an HST isn't needed. Might not even need a range transmission since electric motors make max torque at zero rpms. The power steering can be electric too.

But I think hydraulics would cost less than linear actuators of the same capacity. And of course SCVs and 3rd function need to be hydraulic so you can use existing attachments.

 

[4570Man]

But I think hydraulics would cost less than linear actuators of the same capacity. And of course SCVs and 3rd function need to be hydraulic so you can use existing attachments.

I agree re designing the whole loader lift system wouldn’t be worth it and probably no power savings of you did. But an electric driven pump that only runs when needed like an electric forklift would be leaps and bounds better than a continuously driven pump like most diesel equipment has.

 

[milkman636]

The other thing I think about is power outages. About 5 years ago we had a doozy of an ice storm. The whole area around me was without power for 4-7 days in sub-freezing temperatures. Trees and beaches down everywhere and we had snow that week. Gas stations were even down for days. I try to keep some diesel and gas on hand and a full generator, so I was able to do everything I needed and help a couple neighbors by toting my generator over to their houses. That woulda been a tough time if I had to run my generator to try and charge my tractor instead.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

The other thing I think about is power outages. About 5 years ago we had a doozy of an ice storm. The whole area around me was without power for 4-7 days in sub-freezing temperatures. Trees and beaches down everywhere and we had snow that week. Gas stations were even down for days. I try to keep some diesel and gas on hand and a full generator, so I was able to do everything I needed and help a couple neighbors by toting my generator over to their houses. That woulda been a tough time if I had to run my generator to try and charge my tractor instead.

For the next few decades I plan to have one or more gas/diesel tractors with no computer that can be pull started. Going forward the need for gas/diesel backup generators will approach ZERO for home and small business users. New homes will be built with solar and with days of power needs stored onsite.

 

[Redbug]

No way. Out in the woods you need a dependable energy source that is transportable. Diesel is the best energy source and easy to transport. A large battery array is finite and takes a long time to recharge. Then...if you live in a cold climate batteries do not have as much energy. For heavy work...dinosaur juice is the best for pushing your load and digging a hole. But...I can see making an electric tractor for small homeowners that have extension cords. Another option off into the future is a nuclear powered tractor where you have your power source in a small package that might operate electric motors.

 

[grsthegreat]

For the next few decades I plan to have one or more gas/diesel tractors with no computer that can be pull started. Going forward the need for gas/diesel backup generators will approach ZERO for home and small business users. New homes will be built with solar and with days of power needs stored onsite.

i still doubt this. too broad of a representation. how about areas that dont get alot of direct sunlight. ny property is so fully treed, and no way im cutting them down. we dont get much wind. for example, over the last 7 days we had one windy day, and that was 50-70 MPH. we really dont get enough sun to make solar work. i service alot of generators on off grid homes and the generators all have high hours. even on units using sun tracking, in winter,spring and fall the sun is low in horizon and trees everywheres. as battery technology gets better, things will change. but you can bet prices will still be ridiculously high. on average an off grid home up here sinks 45-75 grand into their power system. this is not a 1 off expense. there still maint, equip repairs and battery replacements. to a customer the only reason they even have it is because there is no power available anywhere near their mountain goat trail of a home.

 

[MossRoad]

The other thing I think about is power outages. About 5 years ago we had a doozy of an ice storm. The whole area around me was without power for 4-7 days in sub-freezing temperatures. Trees and beaches down everywhere and we had snow that week. Gas stations were even down for days. I try to keep some diesel and gas on hand and a full generator, so I was able to do everything I needed and help a couple neighbors by toting my generator over to their houses. That woulda been a tough time if I had to run my generator to try and charge my tractor instead.

That's the main reason I don't want a tractor-powered generator. As much as I like to get rid of as many pieces of motorized equipment that I can, if there's a storm and the power goes out, I like to have the tractor to clean up storm damage, remove snow, etc... and keep things running in the house while I'm doing it.

 

[hdmyers]

If they can make an electric ride on mower that will last for 2-3 hours - then I would start with that. I usually need my heavy equipment to work longer and harder than that.

...i guess time you go buy one then. They already exist... no oil change, no bad gas... charge and go.

 

[hdmyers]

Not at all.

If a single gasoline engine is good enough for a little tractor, no separate gasoline engines for PTO, FEL, etc, then a single electric motor is still a viable experiment. If that works you can try separate electric motor for PTO but maybe you need 5 HP to move and 15 for the PTO? Then putting a large motor on PTO will be wasted most of the time.



Ethanol is a terrible motor fuel but E10 does not cost 10% on MPG. Is about 1.5% which is less than most can measure.

Real world MPG varies +-10% so to make a conclusion that a fuel returns better or worse MPG requires at least 5 tanks averaged against 5 tanks of the reference fuel.

Early 1980痴 途eformulated oxygenated fuel wrecked havoc with the original O2 sensor systems which blindly obeyed the sensor for fuel mixture. Didn稚 matter whether ethanol, MTBE, or other means used to meet EPA oxygen mandate. The excess O2 forced a richer mixture. But the EPA believed the emissions to be less.

By 1990 the EPA was silently P.O.弾d to discover ECU computer technology had advanced to where manufacturers could ignore the O2 sensor most of the time. Just use for an occasional reference point. This allowed MPG to soar on interstate where much leaner mixtures could be used for steady state operation yet remain under emission limits (that is how this differs from the VW diesel fiasco). This totally defeated the EPA痴 reformulated fuel program for cleaner-than-certified emissions.

Of course we know no government program ever dies. The reformulated fuel program is still in effect. All the data supporting remains unquestioned from 1985.

** The government drive to ethanol had more to do with corn farmers and cash than it did for the environment. Another case of lobbying and corrupt government distorting the market for corn and creating chaos for fuel systems. Better environment is needed badly... no diesel or gas soultion will address that need. Extracting and burning carbon has done a lot of damage. Given the age of most here..you have all felt the effects and can see the difference... certainly in Alabama you have.