New DC Motor Powers Electric Tractor

New DC Motor Powers Electric Tractor ENERGY Alternative Fuels 15-5-22 "It'll run 8 hrs. before it needs recharging," says Ross O'Reilly, Masterton, New Zeal-and, who used a new 23-hp. DC motor - made in California - to make a simple con-version of an IH 254 tractor to electric power. The 20-in. long, 8-in. dia. motor simply replaced the gas engine, bolting directly to the existing transmission. The radiator, engine hood and most other up-front components were removed to make room for a battery deck that holds 16 deep cycle batteries. Everything else on the tractor runs normally. The throttle simply consists of an electric controller that runs the DC motor. "It's like a heavy-duty starter motor with tremendous torque. It's rated at 23 hp. but actually develops about 40 hp. at low rpm's," says O'Reilly. The tractor runs 4 hrs. at full power and 8 hrs. at half power before needing recharging. To recharge it simply plugs into a standard 110-volt outlet. Converting a small tractor to electric power costs about $3,000 - $1,000 for the batteries and about $2,000 for the DC motor. The new electric motor, sold by Solar Electric Engineering Co., Santa Rosa, Calif., is also being used to convert existing gas-powered cars to electricity. O'Reilly says it makes possible the first practical electric-powered vehicles. A converted Ford Escort, for example, with the DC motor re-placing the gas engine and hooking up directly to the transmission, will travel 60 to 100 miles per charge. Electric "fuel" costs just 3 cents per mile versus 8 cents per mile for gasoline. And the vehicles need no maintenance, aside from checking water levels in batteries once a month. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Solar Electric Engineering Co.,1164th St., Santa Rosa, Calif. 95401 (ph 707 542-1990).

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