Electric Garden Tractor Conversion
by Michael
I have a 1979 Cub Cadet 682 garden tractor with a 17 hp gas engine which provides power to a hydrostatic drive and electric clutch power takeoff for implement operation. I am interested in removing the gas engine and replacing it with a battery powered DC motor with controller, if necessary, while still retaining the normal operation (pto and hydro drive) of the tractor. What motor, batteries and controller would you recommend that would give me near identical function as the gas engine? Hi, Michael - The video shows the Elec-trak, GE's electric garden tractor from the '70's. The components in the rebuild project described in the video might give you an idea of what you'll need in your own project. Converting a garden tractor to electric has been done quite a few times. You can peruse the EV Photo Album tractor and mower page to get an idea of what's already been done. The only caution I'd offer is that your tractor is probably quite a bit heavier than the Elec-trak above, because GE built it to be electric and weight conservation would have been a wise consideration. Your IH Cadet was definitely NOT optimized for weight. It's probably a TANK; ) Don't let that slow you down. You just want to beef up the components a bit. This gentleman, Frank Gombik from Ontario, has converted his Cadet to electric using:
...and with all that is still probably a little OVER-powered. Let me quote: "Can lift front wheels in all three forward gears". Have a good time with your project, Michael, and best of luck! Regards, Lynne
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