Re: (ET) 0 turn radius electric mower...

["rhahn" <rhahn execpc com>]

I work for Textron Golf, Turf & Specialty Equipment of which Cushman and
Ransomes are brand names.  The mower under discussion only has a single
traction motor with a standard differential.  It also cuts from <0.1" to
~1" - a little short for most of us but great for golf greens.  Zapi makes 
a
controller which will coordinate two motors.  I think it will do ZTR types
of turns.

One of the other Textron brands, Jacobsen, also had an electric greens 
mower
before Textron bought Ransomes and merged everybody. This is the unit I
actually helped design.

I have come across an E8M tractor out in a field - tires have sunk in to 
the
rim.  No mower or any thing else.  If I remember right, someone had put a
big service switch on one side - reason?.  Any ideas about value?  I'll see
about getting it if someone might be interested.

I also have an new (<5 years) electric tractor (prototype?) made by 
Ardisam,
Inc. in Cumberland, WI.  I don't know how many they actually made or sold.
I don't think they are making any now.  Run time is pretty low - 20 minutes
when mowing.  It is a 36V system with golf car batteries.  If I drive real
fast and the grass is light, I can just mow my 2 acres (part woods, big
garden - ~1 acre real?)  Deck current is 60A on concrete.

The discussions here are very interesting.  I first saw the Electraks when 
I
was about 12.  Thought they were "way cool" then and still do.  Hang in
there.  Maybe electrics will still catch on.

Robert Hahn

----- Original Message -----
From: "Elie, Larry (L.D.)" <lelie ford com>
To: "'Tim Chapin'" <tchapin umich edu>; <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 11:06 AM
Subject: RE: (ET) 0 turn radius electric mower...


> Great link Tim.  Note Cushman (made scooters in the '50's) is
> one of the largest producers of electric 'plant trucks'.  The
> thing probably works real nice.  Let's see, 3.5 hp x 2
> (assuming 2 motors)= 7 hp.
>
> That's probably about the continuous rating of a GE....
> 100 amps (or so) x 36 v =3600 watts, divide by 760 watt/hp...
> hmm...
>
> Larry Elie
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tim Chapin [mailto:tchapin umich edu]
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 11:04 AM
> To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
> Subject: (ET) 0 turn radius electric mower...
>
>
> while surfing today and located this link.
>
http://www.ttcsp.com/2/products4b.asp?Product_Id=34&search.x=15&search.y=10
>
>
> A while back there was a few threads about making a 0 turn raduis
electric.
>
> Well Ransomes makes a professional quality greens reel mower that is
>  48 volt (8 six volt batterys),
>  60 inch cut,
>  speed 4 mph
>
>