Upcycling light farm tractor to EV. On a budget...

We need an alternative to a stinking diesel tractor. I found this Fiat 211 with under-belly implements. Discovered that a motor controller may be the most expensive part I need. Has anyone got an idea of other ways of securing a soft start? Regards John in Denmark

I built a much smaller one.  It used a belt for a clutch.  I like the clutch in between the motor and the transmission to lower the start up current.  This gave me the ability to use smaller components and no electronics.  I like how you have integrated your batteries and motor.  

john verner jorgensen wrote:We need an alternative to a stinking diesel tractor. I found this Fiat 211 with under-belly implements. Discovered that a motor controller may be the most expensive part I need. Has anyone got an idea of other ways of securing a soft start? Regards John in Denmark

An idea came up:
My old Mercedes 508 Light truck, around 1975, had 12V electrics, but used a relay to create 24V when starting the engine.
Would 12V in my tractor serve as softstart, going back to 24V when its moving?
If Amps grow too much in 12V mode, maybe a seperat larger fuse during start, could do the trick?
As for current limiting during normal work, a large Amp meter in front of the driver, combined with a 100Amp fuse, may do the trick?
Any thoughts?
Regards John

This is an interesting project. I have also found the cost of controllers to be high.
I think somewhere on this site I published details of a way to help ones self. It was related to golf carts, but the technology is the same.
there are also many fiorums and books that may help, I will look.