2009 - Volume #33, Issue #3, Page #07
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GE Electric Mower Parts Available
"What I like best about them is that they're quiet, easy to operate, and emit zero emissions," he says. "You can be out mowing the lawn and actually hear somebody talking to you. You can charge one of these for about 50 cents to get 3 1/2 hours of mowing time."
Elec-Trak mowers were built by General Electric in New York from 1969 to 1974. When Zimmerman saw one in a local ad several years ago, he purchased it and then found another for parts. By 2004 he had stockpiled parts and become serious about setting up a parts supply business.
"I've parted out about 30 of these tractors and bought out parts from approximately 15 former dealers," Zimmerman says. "I also have companies that reproduce parts specifically for me."
His parts also work for AVCO New Idea and Wheel Horse electric tractors through 1983 after they took over the model from GE. Altogether there were 21 models with mowing decks ranging from 36 to 42 in., and Zimmerman has a library of parts books and manuals. As a mechanic he enjoys working on the old tractors, and he's found a market for them among older people who are nostalgic as well as young people interested in the environmental benefits.
"When I fix them up, I sell them for $1,500 to $3,000 with batteries," Zimmerman says. Though they're more than 30 years old, Elec-Traks were well-built, and ones that were stored inside are generally in good condition. Many were parked when the batteries wore out, because of the cost to replace them. The smaller models require three 12-volt batteries and the larger models use six 6-volt batteries. They are the same batteries that are used in golf carts.
"If you treat batteries right you should get about seven years out of them," Zimmerman says. "My motto is: Keep them watered and keep them charged after every use."
Zimmerman has a good supply of blades and other parts to fit all size models as well as refurbished machines. He also sells some of the many attachments - blades, snow throwers, etc.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Clean Power Supply, 118 Royer Rd., Ephrata, Penn. 17522 (ph 717 859-4234; cleanpower@att.net).
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