Solar 8N

Fuddy Duddy · Mar 30, 2013

What will they think of next. We all need one of these. No more buying gas.
Solar 8N

Bob Harvey · Mar 30, 2013

Some folks have a LOT of time on their hands !

Bob Purinton · Mar 30, 2013

I wouldn't want it 'cause it'd never run! At least that's the impression I get from all the charging issues people post about on here

Ultradog MN · Mar 30, 2013

That tractor came up on the Ford board the other day. Judging by the responses there I doubt the tractor will sell soon.
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William Fissell · Mar 31, 2013

The energy density of solar is a little low yet. However, tractors seem to have three major characteristics: torque, weight, and reliability. Electric does pretty well on all three (think diesel-electric locomotives).

The main issue is whether batteries can equal the energy density of chemical fuels, and the answer as yet seems NO. Diesel has about 36 megajoules of energy per liter of volume, and lithium batteries have about 8% of that, and lead-acid another tenfold lower than that.

I could see a smallish tractor with a 15 horse DC electric motor driving each rear wheel, or, better yet, as part of each wheel, and about 1500 pounds of battery in the not-too-distant future. No need for hydro for continuously-variable transmission; no frictional losses in clutch, tranny, differential....

I wouldn't scoff at folks thinking down these lines, even if a pilot implementation seems unworkable.

Texas! · Mar 31, 2013

The first time it was posted it was listed on the Austin,TX craigslist, now it's listed on the Springfield,MO craigslist. That tractor sure travels fast on batteries!

Walston · Mar 31, 2013

(quoted from post at 13:40:01 03/31/13) The energy density of solar is a little low yet. However, tractors seem to have three major characteristics: torque, weight, and reliability. Electric does pretty well on all three (think diesel-electric locomotives).

The main issue is whether batteries can equal the energy density of chemical fuels, and the answer as yet seems NO. Diesel has about 36 megajoules of energy per liter of volume, and lithium batteries have about 8% of that, and lead-acid another tenfold lower than that.

I could see a smallish tractor with a 15 horse DC electric motor driving each rear wheel, or, better yet, as part of each wheel, and about 1500 pounds of battery in the not-too-distant future. No need for hydro for continuously-variable transmission; no frictional losses in clutch, tranny, differential....

I wouldn't scoff at folks thinking down these lines, even if a pilot implementation seems unworkable.

I certainly agree that we don't want to scoff at innovation. It was only 70 or 80 some years ago that Ol Henry was likely scoffed at by some horse farmers.

They are still pretty far away, but making progress. If you like this kind of stuff you may find this interesting. I work for one of the Sponsors. http://www.solarimpulse.com/

As it should be, there is no Government funding.

Solar 8N

Fuddy Duddy

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Bob Harvey

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Bob Purinton

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Ultradog MN

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William Fissell

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Texas!

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Walston

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