Electric Lawn Tractor

Motor: ME1004
Batteries: 1.88kw (51.2 volts nominal @ 36.8 amp hour A123)
Wire: 2 Gauge
Contactor: 600 amps
Fuse: 400 amps
Shunt: 400 amps
Meter: Cycle Analyst
Charger: 2 Delta QuiQ 1000watts each

[EdmondElectric]

Little Eddie
Converting to battery power is a great idea for a garden tractor I converted one 15yrs ago and it is still cutting grass on a daily basis, I have had to renew the batteries every 7 yrs I am just on my 3rd set now, my design will cut up to 2 acres on a 50cent charge there are no belts or pulleys and no oil on the entire tractor, it can pull a trailer for about 8hrs on a charge, because battery run time is the most important aspect of most conversions I paid particular attention to the most efficient design I could up with, I used 3 separate small motors one for the drive with electronic speed control and two smaller with a cutter blade mounted on the shaft for each cutter, this design only uses the battery power req to do the job, very little wasted battery power, it uses magnetic breaking of both tractor and cutter blades and automatically applies parking brake when you stop or get off the seat.
Little Eddie Edmond Electric

[mattneibaur]

Thanks for showing this. I was motivated to convert a junked out Husqvara. I used the same motor system for the drive uint (added a controller), but removed the pulleys from the mower and placed 2 36 volt motors on the deck. It runs off of a single 48 volt lithium battery (47 amphours). Separating the mowing from the main motor and adding a controller has made it more efficient - I can cut for over an hour and several hours of run time if mowing is off.

[ladsongeddings]

I did pretty much the same conversion except on a Craftsman LT1000, using wood and screws for the battery placements. I lowered the CG by relocation one battery in the back behind the seat and relocated a second battery on a step in front of the dash. My property is very hilly and steep, so the lower CG is a helpful safety factor...I installed a low cost floor pedal on the right foot position...been using it for about 8 years, hoping someday lithium Ion batteries would be available at a less costly option to lead acid...hasn't happened yet; but, when it does, lawn cutting gear will be much more simple to use and maintain.

[wind]

I love the idea of an electric tractor, i wish i owed one . I love the fact you did this yourself more people need to think that way . I am not a fan of the single motor configuration due to the efficiency loss from the belts and pulley system .  I assume this was done for simplicity, but it is the exact reason you can only cut for 25 min . 3 smaller motors would have pulled this off will less power usage and eliminated the belt system .

G, E created a series of electric tractors like that in the 70's called the elec-trac, hustler has a electric zero turn called the zion,  

[onetongwa]

If you find other videos, you can find guys getting way more cutting time with better bigger amp hour deep cycle batteries. Another guy easily got hour and a half and used 25 percent power on an 1 acre of land, using 3 marine batteries for 36 volt system and 109 amp hours.

[TRYtoHELPyou]

This is brilliant! Thanks for sharing.

[Lanninglongarmmowing]

That's a pretty neat idea. I do have to ask why didn't you go with large golf cart batteries? Also you could put some solar panels on the top for shade and to power the batteries. Great video!!!

[TommyLuptak]

Thank you kindly. If I was ordering in cells, I would have used GBS or CALB and built a battery box
around those cells. But I had these on hand. :)

[stephenslipchinsky]

What is a "shunt"?  How does it differ from a fuse?  Why do you need both?

[RoadKingFLHR]

Can you put a speed controller on the motor where you can slow it down especially when not cutting?

[jberman-code]

Awsome project. I am trying to do similar. What type of setup you have to recharge those batteries?
Tks.

[runninonempiy]

NOW THAT'S IMPRESSIVE!!!GREAT JOB.THANKS

[brentjohnson]

New sub here. Great video. I have a John Deere riding mower that is giving me engine problems. I am considering upgrading to the ME1004 as well. Would you use a different motor if you were to do one today? Thanks!

[TommyLuptak]

Thank you so much! Someone has to do it! I actually cut the grass for than once a week now! lol :)

[zuwenaw]

Firstable its a awsome idea doing electric, Can we have a list of the parts you used and where to buy them if its posible ??

[martinmatyus]

Which type of Cycle computer you have? (CA-DP, DPS, HC, SA)

[blackz]

You are straight MURDERING that PTO Clutch when you engage the blades at high RPM. Cool setup, though!

[DarioAndreella]

Great job indeed! Did you never ever consider (or do you now someone that did it) to vary the speed of the engine, for example with a frequency controller, not to have it spinning always and anyways, and to help for example to engage the blades without stressing the belts or what so ever? Just curious, I hope I can do something like that soon!!

[TommyLuptak]

Thanks man! So when are you converting your motorcycle? ;) \m/ . . \m/

[johndow]

Can you give me the details of the digital gauge you are using?

Thanks