Convert Your Lawn Tractor to Electric Power

(Page 2 of 2)

June 12, 2008
By Troy Griepentrog 
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What are the basic steps in the process?
Remove the gasoline engine and associated parts. Mount the electric motor in its place. Find a place to put the batteries. Wire it up and turn it on.

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What are the most difficult steps in the process?
The motor mounting and the battery placement are the most challenging. In my case, I needed to mate the motor to the hydraulic pump. I took the old bracket from the gasoline engine to a machine shop and had them alter it for me. At the same time, they extended the bracket to allow me to mount it on the tractor frame. This resulted in the pump ending up in the same position it started.

Placing the batteries was just a jigsaw puzzle process: lots of head scratching, measuring and sketching.

The wiring requires attention but is not difficult. In my case, I'm using three 12-volt batteries, connected in series to produce 36 volts. This is a good voltage to use because lots of golf carts, forklifts and other industrial equipment use this voltage. So, motors and control parts are readily available. I used the on/off switch (contactor or solenoid) from a golf cart. Knowing how to wire batteries in series to produce the desired voltage is important — doing it incorrectly could result in an explosion. Also knowing how to wire the switch is important. If a controller is involved, it gets more complicated. Likewise, if a 12-volt system for lights were involved. Basic knowledge of electricity and a thoughtful approach will prevent trouble.

Resources

Electric Tractors from Mother Earth News

Electric Tractors from Renewables.com

Solar-electric Mowers & Tractors

Converting an Allis-Chalmers "G" Cultivating Tractor into an Electric Vehicle

Electric Tractor Company

Electric Vehicle E-mail Discussion List

Books

Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
Convert It by Michael Brown

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Comments

  • Jim Smith 7/23/2009 8:32:56 PM

    I LIKE THE TRACTOR WITH ELECTRIC. But if he had a electic golfcart why take it apart to make the tractor. I would have just mounted the blade on the front of the golfcart.Then he could have mounted a mower deck on under the cart. he could us a starter motor to run the mowerdeck. That would also give him two seats and a place to put a bed on back to carry the chainsaw,axe,wedge,hammer,fuel and the dog and kids. That could be done for less than the cost of the tractor mod.

  • vernon benoit 1/21/2009 8:21:10 AM

    I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOUR DO IT YOURSELF PROGRAMS THEY ARE VERY HELPFUL THANK YOU.P.S. PLEASE LEAVE PEOPLES PICTURES OUT OF THE INFORMATION I FIND IT NOT OF ANY USEFULNESS.

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