Posted by NC Wayne on March 25, 2009 at 16:59:56 from (166.82.169.10):
I don't have time nor the inclination to read every post to the numerous threads conerning electric "tractors" so admittedly I don't know everything that was said. What I do know is that there have been electric "tractors" for years.
The first ones have long extension cords to take the power to them and typically operate in the thousands of volts range. This set up is typically used on semi-stationary machines like cranes doing dragline or shovel work in mines and quarries or similar operations. Heck Big Muskie, the largest land machine ever built was electric driven.
If your more mobile you then use a generater driven by an internal combustion engine of some type. These are often used on things like mine haul trucks, rubber tired loaders, etc. It's also the most prevailant type of power for a modern locomotive. In the "smaller" equipment range Letorneau had a scraper out back in the late '60's, early 70's that was set up this way. Nowdays the big stuff is still driven this way more often than not and right now CAT has in the plans a D7 size dozer that will be electric driven. It was premeered at the '08 Mine Expo in Vegas and was supposed to be coming out in production in '09 but with the economy who knows.
The advantages of using a an electric drive, especially on larger equipment is two fold, First the prime mover, ie the engine, can set there and run at it's optimal speed for both power and fuel economy instead of constantly speeding up and slowing down as power needs change. Secondly where the engine has to have a transmission to keep up it's speed in order to achieve the highest possible torque output to the driving wheels, an electric motor doesn't have that problem. When you throw the juice to it it almost immediately begins to produce full torque. This gives alot more power to get a large machine, say a 400+ ton haul truck weighng nearly a milion pounds, moving from a full stop to in excess of 40 MPH.
Given all the advantages of electric drive, it's a wonder we don't see more of it. Being an equipment mechanic by trade, the biggest hurdle to overcome to getting more of this type of drive on the market, in my opinion, is finding enough mechanics with the qualifications or more specifically the desire to obtain the qualification to work on the electrical systems associated with them.....But that's all just my .02 on electric tractors....
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 - Listening to Your Tractor - by Curtis Von Fange. Years ago there was a TV show about a talking car. Unless you are from another planet, physically or otherwise, I don’t think our internal combustion buddies will talk and tell us their problems. But, on the other hand, there is a secret language that our mechanical companions readily do speak. It is an interesting form of communication that involves all the senses of the listener. In this series we are going to investigate and learn the basic rudimentary skills of understanding this lingo.
... [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.
