Electric Tractor Handy For Many Jobs

2017 - Volume #BFS, Issue #17, Page #106

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Since converting a Massey Harris tractor from gas to solar power, Drew Gailius has modified and replaced implements and tools to take advantage of the electric power stored in the tractor’s eight batteries. He uses an inverter to run an electric chainsaw to cut firewood, for example.
    The Canyon, B.C., farmer and his wife, Joanne, grow organic root crops and grains, including Khorasan and red fife wheat, spelt, rye and buckwheat on their 40-acre farm, and try to use environmentally friendly practices. So switching to a solar-powered tractor seemed like a natural option, especially when Gailius had the opportunity to get the old 1950’s Massey Harris for free.
    “The size was right for what I wanted. The engine was not an integral piece of the framework for the tractor, so it could be removed, and the front axle would still be in place,” Gailius explains.
    Still, he had to disassemble much of the tractor and engineer some parts for the 48-volt DC motor and transmission. The motor is connected by a cog belt drive to the driveshaft and is controlled by the former gas pedal. He spent about 9 mos. of his spare time and $5,000 to modify the tractor, including the eight 6-volt, deep-cycle batteries, three 250-watt solar panels, and a hydraulic pump to raise and lower a new 3-point hitch.
    The panels are mounted horizontally on an overhead frame and provide welcome shade for the driver.
    “On the upside, the electric tractor is super user-friendly, quiet, no smoke and maximum torque from 0 rpm’s up,” Gailius says. “On the downside is the range, which will be improved as battery technology advances.”
    It meets his needs so far, allowing him to run the tractor for the better part of a day. He kept the tractor’s gears so he can shift to low gear for heavy work.
    “Virtually the only maintenance is the batteries, which require topping off with distilled water and keeping them clean,” he adds. When not in use, he has them on a trickle charger.
    Gailius uses the electric tractor for an assortment of jobs: hauling manure, raking hay, pulling a 2,600-lb. roller, and using a toolbar for hilling, cultivating, and weeding in a one-acre market garden.
    “It has far exceeded my expectations, and I find that every year, I seem to use our diesel-powered tractor less,” he notes. “Electrics have a lot of advantages, and we really need to explore them. Working toward better electrics will require R&D; the only way to do that is to use them. Powering them by renewables is the thing that will get us into other forms of energy use.”
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Drew Gailius, 3510 Lloyd Rd., Canyon, B.C., Canada V0B 1C1 (ph 250-428-9521; fullcirclefarm@shaw.ca).

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Electric Tractor Handy For Many Jobs TRACTORS Miscellaneous Since converting a Massey Harris tractor from gas to solar power Drew Gailius has modified and replaced implements and tools to take advantage of the electric power stored in the tractor’s eight batteries He uses an inverter to run an electric chainsaw to cut firewood for example The Canyon B C farmer and his wife Joanne grow organic root crops and grains including Khorasan and red fife wheat spelt rye and buckwheat on their 40-acre farm and try to use environmentally friendly practices So switching to a solar-powered tractor seemed like a natural option especially when Gailius had the opportunity to get the old 1950’s Massey Harris for free “The size was right for what I wanted The engine was not an integral piece of the framework for the tractor so it could be removed and the front axle would still be in place ” Gailius explains Still he had to disassemble much of the tractor and engineer some parts for the 48-volt DC motor and transmission The motor is connected by a cog belt drive to the driveshaft and is controlled by the former gas pedal He spent about 9 mos of his spare time and $5 000 to modify the tractor including the eight 6-volt deep-cycle batteries three 250-watt solar panels and a hydraulic pump to raise and lower a new 3-point hitch The panels are mounted horizontally on an overhead frame and provide welcome shade for the driver “On the upside the electric tractor is super user-friendly quiet no smoke and maximum torque from 0 rpm’s up ” Gailius says “On the downside is the range which will be improved as battery technology advances ” It meets his needs so far allowing him to run the tractor for the better part of a day He kept the tractor’s gears so he can shift to low gear for heavy work “Virtually the only maintenance is the batteries which require topping off with distilled water and keeping them clean ” he adds When not in use he has them on a trickle charger Gailius uses the electric tractor for an assortment of jobs: hauling manure raking hay pulling a 2 600-lb roller and using a toolbar for hilling cultivating and weeding in a one-acre market garden “It has far exceeded my expectations and I find that every year I seem to use our diesel-powered tractor less ” he notes “Electrics have a lot of advantages and we really need to explore them Working toward better electrics will require R&D; the only way to do that is to use them Powering them by renewables is the thing that will get us into other forms of energy use ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Drew Gailius 3510 Lloyd Rd Canyon B C Canada V0B 1C1 ph 250-428-9521; fullcirclefarm@shaw ca

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