Understand why locomotives use electric drive: It requires incredible starting torque to get a train moving. Piston steam engines have maximum torque at zero rpm, so they didn't need transmissions. But diesel engines have NO torque at zero rpm, and need to get close to normal operating speed to generate significant torque. It's impractical to build a mechanical transmission with the amount of speed reduction required by a locomotive, although you can get close with a torque convertor. But an electric drive can have very high starting torque, and it is simple and efficient.
Another advantage of electric drive over diesel is in packaging. An electric drive eliminates the need for drive shafts and offers a lot more flexibility in where powertrain components are located. Other than the motors themselves, the engines and generators can be located almost anywhere. That's useful when designing almost any sort of equipment, but it's particularly important in submarines where space is limited and the hull design dictates where things can go.
For farm tractors, there's just not the compelling need for electric drive. Hydrostatic and mechanical transmissions provide sufficient speed reduction, and packaging isn't a big problem. But electric drive IS used for big construction equipment, such as rock haulers. All the major heavy equipment manufacturers, such as Caterpillar and Komatsu, offer such machines.
Upload one or more videos to your post. Photo and video filesizes should be less than 5MB. Formats allowed are gif, jpg, png, ogg, mp4, mov, and avi. Be sure to use filenames without spaces or special characters, and filetypes of 3 digits lower case.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Talk of the Town: Winterizing Engines - To Drain or Not to Drain? - by Russ Berry. What is this strange attraction I have to equipment and machinery? How did I get this way? I came from the suburbs and own a small horse farm in rural Loudoun County, Virginia. You can call me a "weekend farmer." The local farmers do. Does it bother me? No. I am just happy to have their friendship. At least the word "farmer" is in my title. But what is the attraction? How can I explain the sensation and exhilaration I feel when I turn the key and hear the engine come to life (most
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
2022 John Deere 5045E, 4wd, front end loader and 3rd function with grapple. 120 hrs, 55k new, must sell
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
