|
For your information, this is a mower for golf
greens and uses reel (cylindrical) mowers - just like the old push mowers
without out engines.
It is not a zero turning radius mower but will
almost but not quite spin on one of the front drive tires - this was to
keep from "grinding" the grass during turns.
This machine was designed to cut grass from less
than 1/10 inch to about 1 inch, much too short for most yards. There are
no other attachments.
The traction system is a 2HP GE motor and
controller on a widened golf car axle (E-Z- GO , also Textron). It has
"two" speeds by virtue of the controller limiting the speed in the low range -
i.e. it really only has one gear ratio. Low speed is 3.5MPH, High is
7MPH.
The mowers are 22" 11 blade reels powered by 1/3
HP, 2200 RPM Pacific Scientific motors. One of the surplus places in
Nebraska was selling the motors a year or so ago.
The unit is very quiet.
These machines were built for a couple of years
than replaced with a similar product from Ransomes who was acquired by Textron
(Jacobsen). I believe the replacement is still being built. Most of
this model were scrapped due to poor sales and customer dissatisfaction due to
problems in production
I know all of this because I was the electrical
engineer on this project.
A comment on fusible links. I personally
don't like fusible links. They don't control the arcing well and can trash
stuff near by. Fuses are designed to contain and control arc. They
are also a lot easier to replace.
There is a fuse available now which can mount
directly to the battery and is rated for 58V from Pudenz (pudenz.com).
They are rated 50 - 300A. They might be large enough to provide a last
resort protection. If not, there are forklift fuses, type
DIN43560/1, which will be more than large enough from Buss, Littlefuse,
Pudenz.
Pudenz also offers some blade type fuses rated
42 -125 volts (typical automotive fuse are 32 volt) in more
reasonable currents. Be careful. Most fuseholders are only rated for
32V. I believe this is primarily due to low vs. high voltage
classifications, restrictions, and liabilities.
I liked the Electraks when I first saw them as a
kid and hope to find one some day. I currently have
a non-production electric riding mower and love it especially for
hauling a cart around the yard. Need to work on the mower
noise.
Robert W. Hahn
former Jacobsen/Textron
engineer
|