EMP resistant tractors ?

jCarroll · Nov 15, 2012

EMP - Electro Magnetic Pulse - electromagnetic pulse

Having nothing more to worry about, I'm wondering when tractors adopted components which would fail if subjected to an EMP. Or stated differently, how old would a tractor need to be to be "immune" from EMP in the midwest?

LJD · Nov 15, 2012

I don't know if any of them would fail. The biggest EMP problem, in theory, is for devices with integrated circuits that are hooked to things that act like antennas and absorb the pulse. That can be the electric grid, actual antennas, etc.

Little recent "real world" testing has been done since above ground nuclear testing has been banned since the early 60s.

Regardless - I assume any tractor that lacks ICs to run is absolutely safe. Gas engine with ignition points and coil, diesel with mechanical injection, etc. The only parts of some of those tractors that may have an IC or two are the charging systems IF they have alternators with ICs in the regulators.

Chip812 · Nov 15, 2012

As far as I know, diesel tractors should run without any electrical components.

Fawteen · Nov 15, 2012

Older ones, yes. I don't even need a key, a screwdriver will start it in a pinch.

Newer ones, with all the EPA-mandated electronic controls? Dunno for sure, but I doubt it.

Also, last I knew, the circuit traces on a printed circuit board were enough "antenna" for an EMP to toast the board.

old · Nov 15, 2012

Any of them that have the points condenser and coil and battery will be just fine in an EMP since those are machaical (sp) type systems. It is the electronic ignition systems with chips in them that will be fried

David G · Nov 15, 2012

I would only feel secure having a diesel with mechanical injection, running and manual fuel shutoff.

wisbaker · Nov 15, 2012

IC's can be hardened to prevent damage from EMP. Today's combat aircraft have a lot of solid state devices yet they consider the Aircraft to be nuclear hardened. The trick is to collect the emr's (electro-magnetic radiation) and dissipate it. Remember dealing with the debates on repairs on our Aircraft when I was in the Air Force, we had to be real careful about any wiring harness that was shielded to insure we didn't mess up the shield and we maintained all grounding and bonding of components. When I moved into an EOD slot some of the fuzes and other components were EMR sensitive so some of the render-safes involved a technique called WIF (wrap in Foil) or bed it in a sand filled steel ammo can. Much equipment is tested for EMR interference, a lot of cars and equipment used to go to upper Michigan and be tested on the ELF line up there to see if could get scrambled by the EMRs. They also test the vehicles to insure they don't emit EMRs that could mess themselves or other vehicles up. I'm waiting for someone to try using the EMR excuse for runaway vehicles.

buickanddeere · Nov 15, 2012

Diesel with mechanical injection AND a generator instead of a alternator. A points equipped gasser would start back up after the pulse passed.
A vacuum tube radio would be ok.

EMP resistant tractors ?

jCarroll

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LJD

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Chip812

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Fawteen

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old

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David G

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wisbaker

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buickanddeere

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