RE: Re: (ET) Wheel Horse E-141

["Pestka, Dennis J" <Dennis Pestka TycoHealthcare com>]

Harold;

See archived Steve Naugler response below.
I think there was a mix-up with Chucks message on the batteries

Dennis
Elsberry, MO


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: FixItUp [mailto:fixitup localnet com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2003 4:18 AM
To: Ceswtrac aol com; elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
Subject: Re:Re: (ET) Wheel Horse E-141


Thanks for the info,Chuck
Sounds like a step backward from the Elec-Trak series.
Thanks again,
Harold Z.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I have a E-141, and the parts and service books. The batteries were dead
when  I picked it up and have not had time to look in to it. On the E-141
the  traction motor runs all the time like a gas tractor. You use a clutch,
and  have reverse through the trans. It has what Wheel Horse called an
electronic  brain, which does not appear to be serviceable and a relay for
the drive  motor and one for the deck. It uses six, 6 volt batteries wired
in two  series. And an external charger with I believe a six pin plug.


                                                                     Chuck