RE: (ET) Reducing Battery Weight for Use on Hills

["Hazen, Dwight L" <hazen indiana edu>]

Matt,

 I too have the same problem, Tip over is more of a safety issue.. I do not
think smaller batteries would help. Make sure your rear tires are attached
to the hub in the WIDE setting. Also new tires can help with traction, my 
25
year old like new tires are hard as rocks. A softer compound or a tractor
tread grip my help. Wheel weights should help also. Move your body weight 
to
the high side of the tractor to prevent wheel spin. If you need more body
weight check out some beer web sites!! 

The problem of loss of steering control on wet grass going down hill is a
problem I am still trying to solve. I mow with an E14 that has the same 
size
tires and rims as a E12. I put E20 tires and rims on this spring to see if
would help. It did some what better, but those tires are very hard rubber
(age?). Last year I put new front tires on the E14, softer compound and a
direction pattern the would help to keep the tire tracking in a straight
line. This seemed to be the best improvement.  I am going to replace these
tires again with rib steering tires as soon as I can find some in the size 
I
need. Has any one seen the three rib tires that will fit an ElecTrak? 


  Dwight 
 



Dwight L. Hazen, Indiana University, UITS 
Bloomington, In. 47408-7378 812-855-5367 hazen indiana edu
http://php.ucs.indiana.edu/~hazen/ ax25 wb9tlh k9iu in noam


> -----Original Message-----
> From: cleanair mail2 deniz com [SMTP:cleanair mail2 deniz com]
> Sent: Thursday, May 20, 1999 11:30 AM
> To:   elec-trak cosmos5 phy tufts edu
> Cc:   cleanair wipss com
> Subject:      (ET) Reducing Battery Weight for Use on Hills
> 
> I have a E15 and have been using it to cut grass on a fairly steep grade.
> The front wheels tend to gouge, and the rear wheels sometimes lose
> traction as one side or the other lifts while turning.  I try to go up 
> and
> down the hill as reccomended to avoid roll-over, but still need to turn.
> 
>   My question is this:  If the wieght of the batteries is reduced,
> wouldn't this lower the center of gravity, and reduce tilting?  Wouldn't
> this also reduce gouging?
> 
> 
>   Would using 12V marine batteries accomplish this weight reduction?  Or
> are their any other suggestions.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
>     Matt O'Brien