electric walking tractor conversion

im interested in replacing the gas engine on one of my David Bradley's with a electric DC motor. 12v or 24v i will use deep cycle batteries have two off my trailer. Where can i find a used motor? what things could i get the motor from? and where how would i build the controller? i am looking at mostly scrounging the parts, i have a scrapper that works with me on getting all kinds of stuff people just through out. i would like to reuse all items used to build the conversion rather than use new parts if possible. i have a briggs gear reduction motor that is bad, so i am thinking to use this to give even more reduction. my thoughts are to have it setup just like the gas motor with a on/off acting like the clutch. i dont need to adjust the speed, cause i want it as simple as possible.
thank you

golf cart motor...

if you're a little lucky, you might scrounge all the control circuitry and relays, etc.

How many minutes or hours in a day would you want to use the device?

What was the horse power rating of the internal combustion engine on the thing originally?

David Bradley's were 3ish HP but better torque than modern small engines. Golf cart is a good idea, only thing I could think of is a treadmill.

A 3 hp electric will give you far more grunt than any 3 hp gasser. A golf cart motor is possibly too powerful and could possibly break things.

Approach with caution and let us know what you work out.

original engine was a 2-2 1/2 hp engine later they started using a 5 hp. this would need to run for 1-2 hours, not looking to mow with it so it wouldn't be running constantly for that time. golf cart would be too much i was thinking no more than a 2 hp, and i dont need the variability of the control. mostly just a on/off and a reverse. i was wondering if a car starter would work, next idea is a winch motor thats whats the most available. figured i would have to increase the cooling and lubrication on a starter. not sure of anything else in that power range.

treadmill motors are available in 1-3 hp and DC for not too much money.

here's one example.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Treadmill-Drive-Motor-fits-HealthRider-Image-Lifestyler-NordicTrac-2-90-hp-/201535685451?hash=item2eec76834b:g:OH4AAOxyc2pTbNqf


I have no idea if it's the appropriate voltage, but they are rated for the kind of duty you are looking for.