RE: (ET) Wheelhorse E-81 and E-141

["Steven Naugler" <snaugler earthlink net>]

Dennis and other GE groupies,

 

The Wheel Horse E81 is identical to one of the two GE electric riding lawnmowers.  GE made an ER8-36, which is not what the E81 is, but I cannot remember the other GE model.

 

The E141 was a Wheel Horse only design based on a gasoline tractor chassis.  It used as delivered six 12 volt batteries, wired in a series/parallel arrangement to give 36 volts.  Bill Gunn once theorized that Wheel horse did that because at that time the six volt EV batteries were being supplanted by the 12 volt types.  Of course, the six volt EV battery is still with us.  Unfortunately the use of 12 volt batteries gave you twice as many cells to top off with water, and created the possibility of charge imbalance during charging.  It also used a Wheel Horse supplied off board charger.

 

The E141 used a single speed traction motor with either a seven or eight speed shift on the fly transmission, which I believe was Wheel Horse designed .  Reverse was also by the transmission.  This transmission was also used on some of the Wheel Horse gasoline tractors.

 

The mid mounted mower deck used a single large electric motor with belt drive vs. the GE three motors on a front or mid mount (E12-M).  This made the deck almost identical to the gas powered decks, although the electric deck could not be supplied with a grass clipping bagger, where the gasoline versions could.  I suspect a power limitation in the electric motor not present in the gasoline powered tractor.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Steve Naugler

----- Original Message -----

From: Pestka, Dennis J

To: Elec-Trak Email Discussion List

Sent: 1/24/01 2:08:32 PM

Subject: (ET) Wheelhorse E-81 and E-141

Group;

 

Just got and old Wheelhorse service bulletin that shows 2 electric tractors;

it is dated 1980.

It shows a small model called an E-81, looks like (3) 12 volt batteries and

a large model E-141 with (6) 6 volts.

They have a more updated looking style than the Elec-Traks.

 

Does anyone know anything about these; was this a new deigned tractor or a

clone of the Elec-Traks ?

Were these the last tractors that Wheelhorse made before dropping the

electric line or were there others ?

I would appreciate any info on these or later tractors made by Wheelhorse.

 

Thanks;

Dennis

 

 

--- Steven Naugler

--- snaugler earthlink net