I have found I can plow as long as I want without drawing the batteries
down. Snow blowing on the otherhand can really discharge the
batteries. I think the electrak is a much better plowing machine
compared with the gas tractor I had. The snow blower however is somewhat
limited compared to the gas machine. I think a two stage thrower would
be much more efficient.
Here in Minneapolis we have finally had enough
snowfall to haul
out the plow. I was a little concerned
that I'd have enough traction,
as this E16 had been changed over from 6 golf
cart batteries to
3 Hawker SBS60's, and obviously there is a lot
less weight.
However, the tractor had no problem pushing
around the heavy
wet snow, although we've had only 3 or so
inches here so far.
I was able to push the piles of snow that
accumulated as well
(due to my plowing pattern). I believe
that a couple inches more
of this heavy snow would require more weight,
but I have a couple
of the 6 volt blocks ready to drop in if
necessary.
Had good power the whole time, didn't even
notice that it was
getting down to empty, and the headlights were
nice and bright.
Yee ha! Been waiting all winter to try it
out. Took the batteries
down to 12.16v (couple of minute rest after I
had cleared the drive
and much of the street - to avoid the city plow
filling in the end
of the driveway). I'll probably add
another 3 of these SBS60's
for the winters to pick up some more weight,
and keep the
discharge level down to 50-60% discharged, for
battery longevity.
-Chris