ELECTRIC TRACTORS

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Even now, when gas and oil are still affordable, there are many applications for a nonpolluting electric tractor powered from renewable sources. These include greenhouses and organic farms where air quality must be high; golf courses surrounded by expensive homes where noise is a concern; planting and harvesting where very slow speeds are necessary; and remote control operation where safety is important. Solar-electric tractors also have multiple applications in nonindustrialized countries, which lack fossil-fuel infrastructure and low fuel prices. The electric tractor can also replace petroleum-powered generators as a mobile power source in remote areas and in emergency applications. Because the electric tractor is made from modular components, it can be assembled in any small shop and does not require a large, energy intensive manufacturing facility.

Agriculture as practiced in the industrialized world today is far from sustainable. Eighty years of petroleum dependence has degraded Earth's life support system to the point where maintaining air, water and soil quality is no longer enough. Humanity's survival depends on regaining environmental quality. The only source of energy capable of replacing fossil fuels is the source that made them. The petroleum resource may last another 50 years, but the sun won't burn out for 5.5 billion years. Which resource do you think makes the most sense?

The Electric Ox

The Electric Ox is a towing tractor aimed primarily at greenhouse and industrial users. The Electric Ox MP (multipurpose) model adds attachments, such as a mower deck, rotary sweeper, snow thrower and dozer blade with a patented system that claims two-minute exchange times. Both models offer quiet operation and zero source emissions and are proving popular for grounds maintenance at schools, hospitals, retirement residences and high-density housing sites. The Electric Ox is also a good candidate for some postal routes, warehouses, golf courses, underground construction sites and airports.

The 790-pound tractor-no oil, gas, engines, transmissions, belts and pulleyswill turn inside an aisle 10 feet wide, will tow up to 6 tons of wheeled cargo, and is available with either a 36-volt or 48-volt battery pack. The manufacturer says the 36-volt tractor is equivalent to an 18 horsepower to 20 horsepower gas tractor and provides five hours of mowing/sweeping or 12 hours of towing at a top speed of 5 mph. The 48-volt tractor increases the overall speed and power by 30 percent and run times by 20 percent to 25 percent.

The Electric Ox models use a single pedal for acceleration and regenerative braking. Jim Laidlaw, president of Electric Tractor Corporation, says, "Regenerative braking allows us to capture and use energy that is otherwise lost during slowing or braking ... and eliminates the need for traditional mechanical brakes and the maintenance associated with them." This feature is integrated with an automatic braking system that sets a parking brake when the vehicle is motionless, the foot is off the pedal or faults occur in the control system.

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