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I now have an electric tractor

 
Jerry Ward
Posts: 278
Location: S.E. Michigan - Zone 6a
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posted 10 years ago
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After a year of looking we now have a 40 year old electric tractor. A GE Elec Trak E20 that has been in a barn for the last 30 years, and less than 10 miles from our house. Granted this is more a garden tractor size than farm tractor, but since I only have 10 acres (6 of which are woods) I think the size will work out great. It came with a 42" mower and snow-blower. Our main use will be mowing and pulling a small trailer around while cutting firewood or moving material. Top speed is supposed to be 9 MPH and it is reported to mow 1.5-2 acres per charge. The power pack is six 6V golf cart type batteries. It should easily go all day moving stuff around our property. It came with dead batteries and some other problem that we haven't found yet as to why it won't go. You can read about this saga at My10Acres.info

Starting on developing a 10 acre permaculture homestead in a sub-urban area. see http://www.my10acres.info

 
R Scott
pollinator
Posts: 4020
Location: Kansas Zone 6a
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posted 10 years ago
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SCORE!!!

They are mini-tanks. Completely old-school. If the end of the world happens, you can re-wind the motor yourself if you have to.

I would add an inverter big enough to run an electric chainsaw or string trimmer and a cord reel and have a mini power station.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." --Mahatma Gandhi
"Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words." --Francis of Assisi.
"Family farms work when the whole family works the farm." -- Adam Klaus

 
Jerry Ward
Posts: 278
Location: S.E. Michigan - Zone 6a
21
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posted 10 years ago
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We are looking for an inverter but 36V ones are in the $800 range.

Starting on developing a 10 acre permaculture homestead in a sub-urban area. see http://www.my10acres.info

 
R Scott
pollinator
Posts: 4020
Location: Kansas Zone 6a
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Cheaper, but still not cheap: http://www.theinverterstore.com/36-volt-power-inverter-5000-watt.html#

Not bad for a 5000w model, though, if the specs are true. NO affiliation or knowledge of the company.

They make 36v to 12v voltage reducers for golf carts, but only for running small loads like radios. I bet if you can find a golf cart hack to do it for bigger loads like an inverter.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." --Mahatma Gandhi
"Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words." --Francis of Assisi.
"Family farms work when the whole family works the farm." -- Adam Klaus

 
John Polk
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Posts: 7926
Location: Currently in Lake Stevens, WA. Home in Spokane
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Sweet ! (I'm jealous.)

I would add an inverter big enough to run an electric chainsaw or string trimmer and a cord reel and have a mini power station.


I whole heartedly agree. Other things = chipper/shredder, cement mixer, skill saw, drill motor...turn that baby into a work horse !

I would probably want to add one of these electric fence battery chargers (they go from 10W up to 40W) just to keep a trickle charge going whenever it was out of the barn.
http://www.kencove.com/fence/Solar+Panels_detail_MSP10P.php

 
Jerry Ward
Posts: 278
Location: S.E. Michigan - Zone 6a
21
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posted 10 years ago
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John Polk wrote:
I would probably want to add one of these electric fence battery chargers (they go from 10W up to 40W) just to keep a trickle charge going whenever it was out of the barn.
http://www.kencove.com/fence/Solar+Panels_detail_MSP10P.php



We are planing on a smart charger that will be able to do full power charging and then drop down to maintenance. They have microprocessors in them and adjust for temp and depth of discharge and a bunch of things. You can hook it up and leave it until you use the tractor again.
 
Jerry Ward
Posts: 278
Location: S.E. Michigan - Zone 6a
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We are now have motion and have started firewood gathering. The mower also works, but one of the castor wheels is frozen up at an angle so when trying to mow it digs into the ground.

Starting on developing a 10 acre permaculture homestead in a sub-urban area. see http://www.my10acres.info

 
See ya later boys, I think I'm in love. Oh wait, she's just a tiny ad:
the permaculture bootcamp in winter (plus half-assed holidays)
https://permies.com/t/149839/permaculture-projects/permaculture-bootcamp-winter-assed-holidays
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