AC/DC inverter for a tractor?

[blackrams]

I have a snow blower that uses a 120 Volt electric starter. I'd like to put an inverter on my tractor with the snow blower riding on my home made platform on the rear while I push snow with the front blade but, that means I won't be near a 120 volt plug in. Anyone installed an inverter on their tractors? Mine is a Ford 1210 with a Ford 702a blade. Three cylinder diesel. I'm concerned the alternator might not handle the load.

 

[Mendonsy]

The inverter won't draw much power except for the few seconds that the starter is operating. Almost all of that load will come off of the battery.
My concern would be the current draw from that 120 volt starter. You will need to be sure that the inverter is large enough to handle it.

 

[blackrams]

The inverter won't draw much power except for the few seconds that the starter is operating. Almost all of that load will come off of the battery.
My concern would be the current draw from that 120 volt starter. You will need to be sure that the inverter is large enough to handle it.

True. :duh: Hmmm, something to think about.

Not much room to mount a inverter on my 1210 tractor. Had to wiggle the battery around some to put a small maintenance trickle charger on it. Hmmmm............. :confused3:

 

[crazyal]

How long does it take you to plow? You could start it up and just let it idle. Or let it warm up for a few minutes then shut it off. Even cold my snow blower is pretty easy to start. Once it's been ran for a few minutes it'll start on the first pull.

 

[blackrams]

How long does it take you to plow? You could start it up and just let it idle. Or let it warm up for a few minutes then shut it off. Even cold my snow blower is pretty easy to start. Once it's been ran for a few minutes it'll start on the first pull.

Well, it doesn't take that long (maybe 20 to 30 minutes) to do my own two concrete driveways but, I also take care of 5 other household driveways. I take care of the folks on both sides of me and the neighbors across the street plus a couple of elderly folk's driveways that live near me. I don't charge, the closest neighbors allow me to use their driveways when I bring in one of my 3 goosenecks. Due to the property lines and local laws, it's much easier for me to use their driveways when backing my different goosenecks into my own parking areas without tracking up their or my lawns. They allow me to use their driveways so, it's the least I can do when it snows to clear their driveways while I'm out doing mine.I do the two elderly folks driveways just cause they aren't able to. While I'm at it, I like to do the sidewalks with the snow blower.

That makes several starts and pulling that dang pull rope starter. My old shoulders are wearing out. I guess I could just snow blow them all first and then get on the tractor and do the driveways. Being this is central Kentucky, we don't normally get too much snow but, my toes get cold.

 

[Mendonsy]

Would one of those "starter packs" work. I have a Black & Decker that has an inverter built in, but I don't know how much power it will actually supply.

 

[handirifle]

Usually the 120 portion of those is pretty small. Is it possible to convert/swap the starter with a 12v one? I have never heard of a 120v starter, but I have never used a snow blower either. I always had to use shovels when I was a kid.

 

[Fallon]

Usually the 120 portion of those is pretty small. Is it possible to convert/swap the starter with a 12v one? I have never heard of a 120v starter, but I have never used a snow blower either. I always had to use shovels when I was a kid.

Ya, unusual, except for on snowblowers. Saves needing to haul & maintain a battery. They correctly figure snowblowers are really only going to be stored & started in a garage, shed or what not that usually has power. So why not just just skip the battery & use an extension cord.

My cheap used blower had 120v starting & it worked great until we moved rural & I got the Kubota.

 

[handirifle]

Yea that makes sense. I left cold country at 18 so never had experience with them.

 

[Garandman]

Is it an Ariens? They make a 12V starter as well for most models.

 

[blackrams]

Usually the 120 portion of those is pretty small. Is it possible to convert/swap the starter with a 12v one? I have never heard of a 120v starter, but I have never used a snow blower either. I always had to use shovels when I was a kid.

Well, I was told 120 V.

Not sure about swapping to a 12V auto style but, I'll ask my small engine mechanic.

 

[blackrams]

27", 8 horse Craftsman

 

[Garandman]

That is probably the widely used Tecumseh Snow King. A 12 V starter will cost $40-90. Though the 8hp has a compression release and isn’t too hard to pull start if the engine is in good tune.

Think I’d run some wires out the way snowmobiles do, to hook up jumper cables.

 

[Dave M7040]

An option is to use Anderson plugs between your battery and inverter.
Install the inverter on your blower.
Now you just plug and unplug battery power to your inverter and dont use up precious space on your tractor.
Anderson Plug | eBay

The few spec's I could find for 120 volt electric starters indicated a 15 amp intermittent load which would need a good sized inverter.

Consider the suggestion to change to a 12 volt starter. Your blower with the 120 volt starter will not have provision to charge a battery but if you use the Anderson plug on your blower starter and on your big tractor battery, you have easy electric start, and are not maintaining two batteries.

Dave M7040

 

[blackrams]

An option is to use Anderson plugs between your battery and inverter.
Install the inverter on your blower.
Now you just plug and unplug battery power to your inverter and dont use up precious space on your tractor.
Anderson Plug | eBay

The few spec's I could find for 120 volt electric starters indicated a 15 amp intermittent load which would need a good sized inverter.

Consider the suggestion to change to a 12 volt starter. Your blower with the 120 volt starter will not have provision to charge a battery but if you use the Anderson plug on your blower starter and on your big tractor battery, you have easy electric start, and are not maintaining two batteries.

Dave M7040

Appreciate all the suggestions, will check out all options. :drink:

Rams

 

[Xfaxman]

This is what I rigged up with Anderson plugs. It slid into the front receiver hitch on the tractor that I had then:

This came first:

 

[sd455dan]

27", 8 horse Craftsman

I have a 10 hp Tecumseh MTD/Yardman track drive snow blower with the 120VAC starter and also have a 2000 watt HF inverter I use on my tractor for a 3/4 hp pole saw.- it works fine for that.

If I get a chance I will give starting the snow blower with the inverter a try today... This might be handy extra feature for me to if it works:thumbsup:


I think a 2000 watt rated, not peak watt inverter does work

Will still mount the inverter to tractor and try again- to make sure it is not output overloaded.

 

[sd455dan]

2nd update:

Works perfectly with a 2000 / 4000 watt peak inverter and enough 12vdc to the inverter




Shot of the 12vdc amp draw while cranking with snowblower ignition off:


Looks to be pulling about 100 amps DC current -sorry about the clarity

Need to install real cables for the battery connection



(tractor) cat approves- but thinks it is time to go for a ride

 

[blackrams]

2nd update:

Works perfectly with a 2000 / 4000 watt peak inverter and enough 12vdc to the inverter



(tractor) cat approves- but thinks it is time to go for a ride

View attachment 529786

Appreciate the effort and information. BTW, I wouldn't mess with that cat if I were you. :laughing:

 

[handirifle]

Don't forget to install a inline fuse (or breaker) rated for the line size. If the starter dead shorted you could easily ruin the inverter otherwise. If it will be hard wired, I would also include a cutoff switch for removal or maintenance.

I am installing a 2000w inverter in my 5th wheel, and using 3/0 wire and 200amp inline fuse. A 2/0 wire would handle the load, but a 2000w inverter could draw nearly 200amps. A LOT more in surge mode.