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Help! Solectrac electric tractor maintenance support needed

Christy Garner

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Location: SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, CA

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posted 5 months ago

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Hello fellow permies! I purchased an electric Solectrac tractor this past year. I absolutely love it. Challenge is that the company recently closed and my tractor is having a computer issue and I can't reach anyone to service it. Does anyone have a contact for someone knowledgable about the Solectrac tractor and/or has electric tractor knowledge and could help me troubleshoot and/or fix my tractor?

I love having an electric tractor, but right now it is completely inoperable. I'm so sad, but holding out hope that I'll be able to find someone who can service it.

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Benjamin Dinkel

Apprentice Rocket Scientist

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posted 5 months ago

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Hi Christy, sorry to hear about your problem with the tractor.
I added your post to the "repair" forum as well as giving it a flag for some attention, hopefully there's someone around that can help you.

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Christy Garner

Posts: 72

Location: SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, CA

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Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

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Matt McSpadden

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Location: Central Maine (Zone 5a)

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Hi Christy,
Unfortunately I do not have the expertise to help you with it. Ideanomics seems to be the investor or parent company, perhaps they would have some information? Wikipedia says they closed down in June, and their phone number is suspended. But there website is still up and running.

I think your best bet might be to try to find a company in the area that works on electric vehicles. They may be able to help if its just computer related.

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Anne Miller

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Location: USDA Zone 8a

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posted 5 months ago

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I am sorry you are having an issue.

I feel that the problem is not that Solectrac company is closing though your dealer may be.

Their website does not reflect this info unless I am just not seeing it.

I did find a dealer in California:

https://www.beelertractor.com/o/solectrac

This maybe inconvenient for you though they are the only dealer in California.

Forgive me if this information is outdated. I tried ..

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Nancy Reading

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That is such a cute tractor. I did find a news article that implied the company were in trouble: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/north-bay/solectrac-electric-ideanomics-sec-082024/. Such a pity!

image from solartrac website
Maybe we can get our heads together and come up with some suggestions. What are your symptoms?

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B Beeson

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Location: SW Virginia zone 7a (just moved from DFW, TX)

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For other vehicles I've had computer problems with, the simple fix has often been to disconnect the computer from all electrical supply, reconnect, and reboot.

It may seem stupid, but it works sometimes!

Be careful around high voltage DC power supply, high voltage batteries, and all cables that are very thick or have dangerous colors and warnings attached. High voltage DC will kill you fast. Look in your manual to find the safety disconnects.

John F Dean

master steward

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posted 5 months ago

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The article posted by Nancy mentions Greg Vann of Bend Oregon. He own one of the tractors and does his own repairs. It might be worth while to hunt him down.o

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Lynn M Davis

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posted 3 months ago

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Hey Christy - I'm having the same problem now and I'm in Conn so no dealers or service folks anymore. Have you been able to find anyone to help? I've called the Yuba City dealer and one in Maine but none of them can help or have parts (which I think have to be ordered from India at this point). I'm getting Battery Management System (BMS) error codes and have recharged and reinstalled the startup battery and tried rebooting by disconnecting the main battery, etc - to no avail - any updates would be greatly appreciated
Lynn

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