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I now have an electric tractor

Posts: 279

Location: S.E. Michigan - Zone 6a

posted 11 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: 4140

Location: Kansas Zone 6a

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posted 11 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.

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Jerry Ward

Posts: 279

Location: S.E. Michigan - Zone 6a

posted 11 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: 4140

Location: Kansas Zone 6a

327

posted 11 years ago

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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.

John Polk

steward

Posts: 7926

Location: Currently in Lake Stevens, WA. Home in Spokane

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posted 11 years ago

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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: 279

Location: S.E. Michigan - Zone 6a

posted 11 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: 279

Location: S.E. Michigan - Zone 6a

posted 11 years ago

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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

Shake it tiny ad! Shake it!

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