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Re: Alltrax, was RE: (ET) Newbie tries plowing



I don't think the price is unreasonable.  Especially since the product works so well. 
 
I'm in favor of supporting small vendors who make high quality products that fit my needs, especially when they're made in the US and especially when they've spent development time (=dollars) on a niche market of which I'm a part.
 
The only possible issues I can think of with the Alltrax DCX-300ET are so minor as to be laughable:
- It wasn't clear to me when I ordered that I needed to use an external diode and power resistor, but I found them in stock at Radio Shack for about $5 total, two-to-a-pack giving me a spare of each (which I'll probably never need).  I might even have been able to use parts removed from the original circuit, but I don't know the power rating of the diode on the little red board I took out...
- I wish the schematic showed how to use one of the low-current relays, the key+seat switched source, and the "momentary" position of the PTO switch to reproduce the original "return-to-off" feature of the PTO.  I had to figure it out, and I got a minor detail wrong the first time around.  (Couldn't turn it off once I turned it on!)  Anybody that wants to know how I did that (the right way), just let me know and I'll come up with a drawing of how I did it.
 
In short, I am so happy with the way the conversion turned out.  The floorboard-mounted pedal and linkage to the pot-box (see http://www.elec-trak.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=21) gives me foot control of speed so I can use my hands to steer and rotate the snowblower chute and operate the lift.  The reverse switch is mounted where the dash-mount speed control came out.
 
As father of a bright nearly-3 year-old, I'm delighted that the speed control is now far away on the floor rather than up on the dash where he can reach.  Not that I'm planning to leave the key in the switch, but it's always good to have backup safety characteristics...
 
Anyway, my advice is take the plunge, accept that Alltrax offered the first few units at a reduced rate maybe to get them on the market (and who knows, maybe they were also compensating for not having much experience with the Elec-trak platform), go out and support a small, quality, domestic vendor that is helping keep this tractor community running.  You were only going to spend that other $200 bucks on something else anyway...
 
Joel
ps. snowblower performed well with 2 ft of light fluffy stuff yesterday.  Drifts to nearly 4 ft in parts of the driveway, and a substantial pile from the street plows at the end of the drive.  Not a huge driveway (parks maybe 10 cars at the most) but got it done on one charge.
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 8:05 PM
Subject: Re: Alltrax, was RE: (ET) Newbie tries plowing

I called to order one a while back and was surprized by the increased price.  They told me they did not feel they could continue to sell at wholesale.  So I think the prices went to list.  Although the price is reasonable, I had a curtis unit and I could not justify a second unit.  A side note, although not as capable as the altrax, the curtus 1204 did not requaire as much modification to my existing machine.  I kept the contactors etc.  So if the unit fails I can change a few wires and run the old set up.
Rob in NH

Markus Lorch <mlorch vt edu> wrote:

> My Alltrax took care of that, forward/reverse is
> instantaneous and full
> variable speed. Highly recommended.
> John Briese
> I-5, alltrax

I finally got around to order me an Alltrax controller and
called them up today. The ET version of the 300Amp sep-ex
controller now costs $350 and the pot box $75. I remember
when Steve originally told us that they aimed for a price
of less than $200 and then, due to required modifications on
the field control circuit, had to up the price to $210
(plus $60 for the pot). Apparently these modifications are
also the reason for the latest price increase of 67%!

So, Alltrax is out of the question for me :( ... unless they
will lower their prices again, which I don't think is going
to happen.

Markus


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