Electric Warehouse Vehicle Rebuilt For Farm Use
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Quebec vegetable farmer Reid Allaway converted an electric-powered Taylor Dunn warehouse truck into an economical farm utility vehicle. “It’s the first vehicle out and last one in almost every day. After 3 years in service we can’t imagine working without it and we’re considering getting another one.”
Allaway bought the mid-80s industrial vehicle in semi-operable condition for just $600. Because it was his first electric vehicle project, Allaway spent many hours learning about electrical systems in order to make various upgrades.
For example, he upgraded the electrical system from a 36-volt DC system using lead-acid golf cart batteries to a 48-volt DC system that uses second-hand lithium battery modules from a scrapped Chevrolet Volt. For improved safety, the rig’s control circuitry was fully rewired as isolated 12-volt circuits. A massive metal drawer that once held 360 lbs. of 6-volt batteries now carries stone ballast because the new 48-volt battery packs, weighing only 90 lbs., easily fit elsewhere under its bed.
“Despite being much smaller and lighter, the new battery pack provides more amperage than the original batteries, with an expected lifespan far exceeding lead-acid’s mediocre 5 year life-cycle,” Allaway says. After 3 years of nearly constant use, the batteries don’t show a reduction in capacity or any imbalance problems.
To update the electric drive system, Allaway installed a 300-amp Alltrax NPX motor controller. It replaces the ancient “toaster-style” resistance speed control. A reversing contactor intended for truck winches replaced the aging drum switch to provide forward/reverse motor control. A 250-amp fuse on the main battery and another large contactor provide overload/short circuit protection and instantaneous disconnect for the main power. Other parts include various relays, fuses, terminal strips, and a DC-to-DC converter that maintains the small 12-volt battery for accessories.
A typical day’s work at Tourne-Sol farm uses about 50 percent of the unit’s capacity. Recharging takes about 5 hrs. and costs only $0.12 due to Quebec’s low electric rates. A 600W onboard charger suitable for the Volt’s lithium cells recharges the battery pack overnight, so it’s always fully charged and ready for work the next morning.
The heavy hauler is still powered by its original General Electric series wound motor, which develops about 3kW at 48 volts. It provides ample power to haul a trailer or heavy loads, even on rough ground. Boosting the voltage from 36 to 48 volts hasn’t created problems for the 1980s vintage motor, which required only a minor rebuild. At 48, volts the motor spins faster, delivering more power and providing a higher top speed - about 16 mph vs. 11 originally.
“The rear axle has quite heavy springs, with a nominal load rating of 3,000 lbs.,” Allaway says. “With 10-ply skid steer tires on the rear, we never worry about overloading”. He often pulls a 6-ft. wide by 14-ft. long trailer for harvesting, often hauling and carrying several thousand pounds with ease.
Allaway says he spent about $1,500 for parts, including the battery pack, plus more than 100 hrs. of labor for the rebuild.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Reid Allaway, Tourne-Sol Cooperative Farm, 1025 chemin St-Dominique, les Cedres, Quebec, Canada J7T 1P5 (reid@fermetournesol.qc.ca).
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Electric Warehouse Vehicle Rebuilt For Farm Use MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Pest Animals Quebec vegetable farmer Reid Allaway converted an electric-powered Taylor Dunn warehouse truck into an economical farm utility vehicle “It’s the first vehicle out and last one in almost every day After 3 years in service we can’t imagine working without it and we’re considering getting another one ” Allaway bought the mid-80s industrial vehicle in semi-operable condition for just $600 Because it was his first electric vehicle project Allaway spent many hours learning about electrical systems in order to make various upgrades For example he upgraded the electrical system from a 36-volt DC system that used lead-acid golf cart batteries to a 48-volt DC system that uses second-hand lithium battery modules from a scrapped Chevrolet Volt For improved safety the rig’s control circuitry was fully rewired as isolated 12-volt circuits A massive metal drawer that once held 360 lbs of 6-volt batteries now carries stone ballast because the new 48-volt battery packs weighing only 90 lbs easily fit elsewhere under its bed “Despite being much smaller and lighter the new battery pack provides more amperage than the original batteries with an expected lifespan far exceeding lead-acid’s mediocre 5 year life-cycle ” Allaway says After 3 years of nearly constant use the batteries don’t show a reduction in capacity or any imbalance problems To update the electric drive system Allaway installed a 300 amp Alltrax NPX motor controller It replaces the ancient “toaster-style” resistance speed control A reversing contactor intended for truck winches replaced the aging drum switch to provide forward/reverse motor control A 250-amp fuse on the main battery and another large contactor provide overload/short circuit protection and instantaneous disconnect for the main power Other parts include various relays fuses terminal strips and a DC-to-DC converter that maintains the small 12-volt battery for accessories A typical day’s work at Tourne-Sol farm uses about 50 percent of the unit’s capacity Recharging takes about 5 hrs and costs only $0 12 due to Quebec’s low electric rates A 600W onboard charger suitable for the Volt’s lithium cells recharges the battery pack overnight so it’s always fully charged and ready for work the next morning The heavy hauler is still powered by its original General Electric series-wound motor which develops about 3kW at 48-volts It provides ample power to haul a trailer or heavy loads even on rough ground Boosting the voltage from 36 to 48 volts hasn’t created problems for the 1980’s vintage motor which required only a minor rebuild At 48 volts the motor spins faster delivering more power and providing a higher top speed - about 16 mph vs 11 originally “The rear axle has quite heavy springs with a nominal load rating of 3 000 lbs ” Allaway says “With 10-ply skid steer tires on the rear we never worry about overloading” He often pulls a 6-ft wide by 14-ft long trailer for harvesting often hauling and carrying several thousand pounds with ease Allaway says he spent about $1 500 for parts including the battery pack plus more than 100 hrs of labor for the rebuild Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Reid Allaway Tourne-Sol Co-operative Farm 1025 chemin St-Dominique les Cedres Quebec Canada J7T 1P5 reid@fermetournesol qc ca
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