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Comparing Solar Electric Tractor to Diesel Tractors
By Stephen Heckeroth

 

Solar
Electric
Tractor

Yanmar 240

John Deere 770

New Holland 1530

Landini 55B

Power/Speed

Traction motor (hp) cont., peak

20, 60

16, 20

18, 24

20, 25

35, 47

Speed (mph) min., max.

0 - 15

0.54 - 8.5

0.85 - 13.2

0.75 - 12.9

0.96 - 16

PTO (hp) cont., peak

10, 30

12, 16

16, 20

17, 21

28, 37

PTO (rpm) mid

0 - 2,000

none

2,100

2,000

none

PTO (rpm) rear

0 - 2,000

540 & 1,000

540

540

540

Capacities

3-Pt. Hitch (lb.) mid

3,000

none

none

none

none

3-Pt. Hitch (lb.) rear

3,000

440

815

950

5,720

Fuel (gal.)

5 - 45 kWh *

5.8

6.3

7.3

14.1

Coolant (qt.)

zero

4.4

5.1

5

6.4

Engine oil (qt.)

zero

5.3

4.2

5.2

6.2

Transmission fluid (gal.)

zero

4

4

8

12

Starting system (volts)

none

12

12

12

12

Dimensions

Wheel base (in.)

65 - 84

69

61

63

80

Tread width (in.) min., max.

48 - 72

39 - 49

39 - 43

43 - 52

37 - 41

Turning radius (in.)

zero

106

102

96

117

Ground clearance (in.)

12 - 20

11

13

15

12

Weight (lbs.)

2,000 **

1,850

2,000

2,400

5,720

Consumption

Energy use/hour (kWh) - hauling

2

20

23

25

35

Energy use/hour (kWh) - mowing

7

32

35

38

43

Pollution

Noise level dB(A)

<40

92

89

87

86

Exhaust (cuft/hr.)

zero

2,500

2,800

3,000

3,900

Cost

Average operating cost/hr. ($) (1)

0.45

1.12

1.25

1.36

1.53

Maintenance/yr. (1,000 hr.)($) (2)

120

1,690

1,745

1,900

2,430

Battery replacement (10 yrs.) ($)

1,200

70

70

70

90

Motor replacement (10 yrs.) ($)

zero

4,000

5,000

6,000

8,000

10 yr. maint., operating cost ($)

7,900

33,170

35,020

38,670

47,690

Tractor cost new

25,000

12,500

13,600

16,800

27,900

Total 20 Year Cost

Constant $ (3)

32,100

76,840

83,640

94,140

123,280

Renewables Scenario ($) (4)

19,900

99,240

108,640

121,340

153,880

* Fuel capacity in the electric tractor is measured in kWh available in the battery packs. The on-board battery pack is 5 to 10 kWh and the tractor can carry up to 40 kWh of auxiliary battery packs.

** The front and rear 3-Pt. hitches on the electric tractor can self load auxiliary battery packs when weight is needed for added traction or to balance implement weight.

(1) This cost assumes $0.10 per kWh for the electric tractor and $1.50 for the combined cost of gas and oil per gallon.

(2) This cost is based on the manufacturers suggested maintenance schedule for parts and labor.

(3) These figures are double the 10 year maintenance and operating cost plus the cost of the tractor.

(4) These figures are for a new electric tractor in high quantity production at $15,000 and based on the existing combined cost of gas and oil at $5/gal. (fuel cost outside the US.) This cost would also reflect the expected rise in fuel cost early in the next century.

OUR FUTURE IS ONLY AS SUSTAINABLE
AS THE TOOLS WE USE TO GET THERE

Description    Tractor Specifications    Comparing Tractors    Letter from Steve


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