Jeff,
You said, "Since it appears that a locking diff is not an option....",
But that is still an option, (IF) you can find an old John
Deere 100 Series tractor that used a Peerless Model 2317 transaxle
(your E15 has a Model 2318 in it). The 2317 was limited slip that
was called DuoTrak. The 2317 will have reverse gears in it, but
that's no problem. It should bolt right in place of the original
Elec-Trak transaxle, or you should be able to swap out the required
parts into your transaxle.
Then you said, "what about going with cutting brakes,...."
If I ever get around to it, I have a set of individual disc
brakes off and old Cub Cadet that used one brake on each axle
shaft. The Cub discs were part of the axle shaft itself, so I
intended to machine the inside of the wheel flange to accept a
homemade disc and then simply clamp, the same way IH did, the brake
assemblies to the ends of the axle housings. I too intended to use
two separate pedals, but both mounted on the left side and actuated
with my heel.
Since this modification would go on a WH C-185 or an I5, I need my
right foot to operate the throttle. Properly done, I figure I could
do something like real farm tractors do with turning brakes and be
able to lock the two pedals together so that both brakes could work
together or separately. I'd still keep the original transaxle brake
operated by the original pedal for normal braking. But if one wheel
started to loose traction, I'd just apply a little pressure to that
brake and sort of force the power over to the other wheel.
As for needing a "pusher" set-up, I'd say it would be way too much
trouble. Just get you some good tire chains and the turning brakes,
and haul that wood about any place you wanted to.
Mike in KY
----- Original Message -----
From: <mailto:jefft softlanding com>Jeff Tickner
To: <mailto:elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 11:39 AM
Subject: (ET) Powered cart
One of my planned uses for my E15 (if I ever finish it) is to use it
to haul cordwood out my woods and I'm wondering how the traction
will be. My only experience is pulling a 4x8 trailer full of
cordwood on a rutted, snowy dirt road and when the trailer got hung
up the front of the tractor would lift, I should have had the
snowblower on there as a counter weight. But what about if it was muddy?
Since it appears that a locking diff is not an option I had 2 ideas.
I have several spare transaxles and a couple extra drive motors. the
transaxles have the brakes still on them.
Since I'll have an Alltrax with a dash pot, what about going with
cutting brakes, that is a brake assembly on each axle, with a pedal
on each side. That would give you the steering effect and you could
also brake a wheel that has lost traction?
The other idea is even more unlikely for me to ever do with my
lack of time and mechanical skill, but... seems like it would solve
both traction and the tractor nose coming up. What about a powered
trailer? If I put a motor and transaxle under a trailer would I
just fry my Alltrax if I tried to feed both motors from the one controller?
The pushers I've seen in the past are just for pushing
http://www.mrsharkey.com/pusher.htm
http://www.jstraubel.com/EVpusher/EVpusher2.htm
and don't seem to have an issue with a normal single point trailer
ball hookup.
Jeff Tickner
Technical Support
800-545-9485, Ext 536
SoftLanding Systems
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