Re: (ET) ELEC-TRAK in the UK

["David Roden (Akron OH USA)" <roden ald net>]

The ET "horsepower" ratings were pretty fanciful.  They were intended to 
suggest 
that the tractors were about as capable as gas tractors of that hp rating. 
 So an 
E12 can supposedly do as much as a 12hp gas tractor.  Based on my 
experience 
with an E15, I can believe this.  There are folks using ETs in tractor 
pulls over here 
with a fair bit of success.

The wound-field motors are pretty darn stout.  You'll be amazed at how 
strongly 
they can pull and how durable they are.  Many or all apparenly have an 
internally 
connected series field, but the dominant field is the externally connected 
separately excited field.  I've heard that the 4QD controllers work well 
with these 
motors but haven't tried one yet.

Some of the E12s, and I believe all of the E8s and E10s, had PM motors.  
These 
didn't stand up well to overheating and are usually considered less 
desirable than 
the GE wound-field motors.  In fact I can't think of any current PM motor 
that 
would be a better choice than the wound-field for this application.  

I believe they all used Peerless transaxles, but I don't know what model 
or models.  
Someone else here probably does.

The mower motors are PM type but I have no data.  You can buy rebuilt 
motors, 
new decks, and complete assemblies from Bill Gunn at +1 608 868-6220.

Hope this helps.

David
Akron OH USA