(ET) New tractor and some questions?

[ThompsonG DFO-MPO GC CA]

Hello 
Well I did again I am now the proud owner of another Elec-Trac as second
little yellow tractor, it is an E12.  So now I have a E12 and an E12M. They
are really quite different machines although to the un-educated eye they 
are
twins. The biggest difference is in the speed control and the gearing.
The E12M is a mechanical speed controller with two forward speeds and three
gear L D1 D2 the E12 has one forward speed and four gear LL L  D1 D2.
The E12M takes of with quite a jolt and the motor just runs freely,  
slowing
down going up hill and speeding up going down. So here is the first
question, Is the jolt when I start an indication that the mechanical speed
controller on the motor need work (like new springs) or is this just part 
of
the E12M seeing that it has no electronic controller.  
Next.
The E12 starts very slowly (to the point were I wonder if I am going to 
move
at all), and then comes up to speed and a change in terrain clause a speed
change and I can hear relays merrily clicking away.  It appears to me that
the electronics in the tractor are trying to keep the motor at a constant
speed in L D1 and D2. But in LL as I listen to the motor it really winds is
this normal operation for an E12. 
        Final question, where should the fuel level needle be when the
tractor is running. On both my tractor the needle drops to either the Low 
or
very near the low level when running, but as soon as I stop the needle pops
back to the green. Is this just and indication that the is a voltage drop
across the batteries when they are under load or do I something to be
concerned about?

Finally, D2 in the E12 seems only useful moving the tractor on very flat
ground, is this normal.

Thanks for the advice in advance.
Geof Thompson B. Sc.
Data Management Engineer
Canadian Hydrographic Service
Central and Arctic Region
867 Lakeshore Road 
Burlington, Ontario
Canada. L7R 4A6 


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