Electric Tractor

[RalphVa]

We're long overdue for an electric tractor from one of the majors. Be A LOT quieter and would service most of us who probably use our tractors less then 4 hours on a given day.

Ralph

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I'll enjoy reading about your experiences with your new coal powered tractor, when you get it.

Me, I'll keep my diesel powered one. Much friendlier on the environment than coal.

 

[Agvg]

Fendt e1 Vario - AGCO GmbH

 

[Fuddy1952]

They have self driving cars, why not tractors? Push the "plow the lower 40" button

 

[/pine]

It's all about power and how much batteries can provide...once an electric car is up to speed on level ground the power draw and drain on the batteries is greatly reduced...a tractor is almost always going to be drawing maximum available power...you can only get so much work from so much energy...

 

[vvanders]

Eh, stop and go traffic has the same problem and you don't see range issues there.

Honestly I think they could be really interesting, the extra weight of batteries slung slow in the chassy would be a help rather than a hindrance. VFD eliminates the need for a complex HST and gearing.

If your concerned about running out of juice add a diesel generator option and you've got a diesel-electric tractor(similar to modern trains). VFDs also have superior traction control compared to drive trains with more inertia, which is why locomotives use them.

 

[/pine]

Eh, stop and go traffic has the same problem and you don't see range issues there.

Honestly I think they could be really interesting, the extra weight of batteries slung slow in the chassy would be a help rather than a hindrance. VFD eliminates the need for a complex HST and gearing.

If your concerned about running out of juice add a diesel generator option and you've got a diesel-electric tractor(similar to modern trains). VFDs also have superior traction control compared to drive trains with more inertia, which is why locomotives use them.

Again...you can only get so much work from so much energy...it's a finite thing...it would be ludicrous to put a diesel generator on a tractor so it could run off electricity...with trains it all about the torque...

 

[ericm979]

You'd think given all the posts from guys not wanting a DPF that an absence of DPF would make an electric tractor an instant winner. And it's an even older technology than diesel!

Electric would be a good match for many CUT users. Many people use the tractor for only a few hours at a time and don't go too far from a power source so range is not a big issue. Electric motors make maximum torque at 0 rpm. Battery weight is not a problem like with cars.

 

[vvanders]

Again...you can only get so much work from so much energy...it's a finite thing...it would be ludicrous to put a diesel generator on a tractor so it could run off electricity...with trains it all about the torque...

Then what are tractors for if not torque?

It almost sounds as crazy as attaching a diesel engine to a hydraulic pump to drive a swashplate to drive the wheels.

I wonder with today's efficient electric drivetrains if you could beat HST losses.

 

[/pine]

Currently there are only a few electric riding lawn mowers (tractors are still a long way off)...
...the riding mowers on the market currently only have a run time of 90-120 minutes...

 

[the old grind]

Diesel-electrics (modern trains) are also about covering a range of driving wheel rpm (say 60:1) driven by an engine with an operating rpm range much closer to 2.5:1. Diesel engine, generator, axle motors are discreet components and serviced separately for serviceability as well as daily use. There's no clutches or separating an engine & transmission to replace a throw-out bearing, no driveshafts, no double-cardan u-joints required ...

Electric vehicles that add an IC engine, and whose batteries (got golf cart?) may not last as long (ok, NiMH then, got laptop?) as a seriously neglected diesel? So much for 'simpler is better'.

I'm with /pine in that portable energy still seems most practical o'all when carried onboard in liquid form for steady HD power output. That diesels are endemic from < 1L to > 10L displacement in tractors makes me wonder which vehicles segment will be the first to be taken over by electric or hybrid-electric ...

Oh wait, peanut-whistle cars are already here. Sorry to darken. Proceed as dictated by the guys with keyboards, condos, and boating shoes.

 

[ptsg]

Fully electric Swiss tractor is now a reality - Agriland.ie

 

[groundcover]

Volvo CE goes electric on smaller machines

 

[MossRoad]

Diesel-electrics (modern trains) are also about covering a range of driving wheel rpm (say 60:1) driven by an engine with an operating rpm range much closer to 2.5:1. Diesel engine, generator, axle motors are discreet components and serviced separately for serviceability as well as daily use. There's no clutches or separating an engine & transmission to replace a throw-out bearing, no driveshafts, no double-cardan u-joints required ...

Electric vehicles that add an IC engine, and whose batteries (got golf cart?) may not last as long (ok, NiMH then, got laptop?) as a seriously neglected diesel? So much for 'simpler is better'.

I'm with /pine in that portable energy still seems most practical o'all when carried onboard in liquid form for steady HD power output. That diesels are endemic from < 1L to > 10L displacement in tractors makes me wonder which vehicles segment will be the first to be taken over by electric or hybrid-electric ...

Oh wait, peanut-whistle cars are already here. Sorry to darken. Proceed as dictated by the guys with keyboards, condos, and boating shoes.

On a side-note, where's that roundhouse located in your avatar?

 

[MossRoad]

Elec-Trak - Wikipedia

 

[MossRoad]

$1523.95

 

[MossRoad]

 

[MossRoad]

 

[ruffdog]

Many factories are full of electric forklifts, crash wagons, scooters, and flat beds. Slow speed vehicles are easier to electrify than 80+mph ones. The road going vehicles do offer regenerative braking to charge the batteries. Back in the 60's, the military was experimenting with making a electric Cat D9.

 

[Tractorable]

Maybe electric tractors will be like electric chainsaws; great when you have a small job, but no replacement for a gas saw when you have a big job to do.

The problem is that battery technology (the ability to store energy) doesn’t improve at the same rate as other technologies, and a tank of diesel contains far more energy than a battery of equivalent weight.

Most of my tractor use is for quick jobs so an electric tractor would probably work for me, but I still need to bush hog five acres, whether an electric tractor has enough juice for sustained heavy PTO work remains to be seen.