BadFishRacing 
Electric Motorsports
Electric Garden Tractor Pulling
For years I had thought about how an electric pulling tractor would perform. It seemed that the high torque and infinite control of an electric motor would be just the thing. The weight of Lead Acid batteries would not be a factor, as most tractors have added weights anyway. Plus, I was looking for something different than drag racing.
Then one day on our chapter Electric Auto Association forum, a guy posted about thinking about building an electric pulling tractor. He had many years of pulling experience, and was looking to try something new. With my background in electric drag racing, and his background in pulling, we joined forces.
I tracked down a garden tractor that had already been set up for pulling. Things like a lengthened wheelbase, adjustible height hitch, wheelie bars, and cut ag tires were already done. With a few parts on hand, some donated batteries, motor out of the bike, and some more ebay parts, I assembled a puller.
Then one day on our chapter Electric Auto Association forum, a guy posted about thinking about building an electric pulling tractor. He had many years of pulling experience, and was looking to try something new. With my background in electric drag racing, and his background in pulling, we joined forces.
I tracked down a garden tractor that had already been set up for pulling. Things like a lengthened wheelbase, adjustible height hitch, wheelie bars, and cut ag tires were already done. With a few parts on hand, some donated batteries, motor out of the bike, and some more ebay parts, I assembled a puller.
The configuration consists of:
- Twin 48V strings of 16ah Hawker Genesis batteries
- L91 Advanced DC motor
- Alltrax 450A / 72V controller
I currently pull with the Mid Michigan Mini Tractor Pulling Association. In 2009, the club officially added an electric tractor class.
Other active tractors in the area are a smilar 'stock' tractor, running a golf cart motor, Alltrax Controller, and UPS batteries. Another is an 'ultralight', consisting of a larger D&D motor, Alltrax Controller, and Hawkers.
The lastet project under construction is a more powerful ultralight. This will be based around a 7.5" ford rearend, chain driven directly to a 13" GE motor. Power will be 16ah Hawker Genesis, hopefully in the 240V-288V range. Plans are also for a homebrew IGBT controller. High hopes for a high power machine.
The lastet project under construction is a more powerful ultralight. This will be based around a 7.5" ford rearend, chain driven directly to a 13" GE motor. Power will be 16ah Hawker Genesis, hopefully in the 240V-288V range. Plans are also for a homebrew IGBT controller. High hopes for a high power machine.
