Re: (ET) [Fwd: [EVDL] The Case for the Electric Tractor] (fwd)

[john briese <goodguyforsure hotmail com>]

And so the left coast is heard from.....

---

> Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 07:01:22 -0700
> From: daveb drizzle com
> To: stevesgroups verizon net
> CC: Elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
> Subject: Re: (ET) [Fwd: [EVDL] The Case for the Electric Tractor] (fwd)
> 
> I haven't read all msgs of this thread so might be repeating something 
> already said....
> 
> I don't mean to introduce politics here, but really I think Reagan's 
> "morning in america" reign had a lot to do with the ET's unfortunate 
> demise. the ET's heyday spanned the first arab oil embargo/crisis, what 
> with the"don't worry be happy" 80's people just didn't have the need for 
> a gas alternative anymore... thus died many initiatives born in the 70's...
> 
> dave
> seattle
> 
> SteveS wrote:
> > I think you are right about the ET's failure. It may have been a bit 
> > high priced, but I think, in the end, it's as you say - there was (and 
> > still may not be) the right infrastructure to support it properly. 
> > Perhaps though a more modern version with electronic controls would be 
> > feasible as it fits in to the 'don't repair it -replace it' mentality 
> > today. In this case it would be replace an electronic module or motor. 
> > Coupled with the positive aspects of low noise, no exhaust, and no gas 
> > cans I hold out hope that we'll see modern ETs everywhere some day.
> >
> > - SteveS
> >
> > Pieter Litchfield wrote:
> > 
> >> SteveS:
> >>
> >> I think the ET never really took off in the marketplace because of its 
> >> dual nature. Mower dealers really didn't want to sell it because they 
> >> had to learn how to service electric and electronic circuits and 
> >> parts. That's not what your average lawn care dealer was doing in the 
> >> 60s and 70s, or today for that matter. Since the ET had golf cart 
> >> guts, for the most part, why not sell it through golf cart dealers? 
> >> How many do you shop at? Golf cart dealers are relatively few and far 
> >> between, and often do a small retail trade. So IMHO the ET failed 
> >> because there was no "infrastructure" in the marketplace to support 
> >> it. The logical sales folks couldn't service it and the service folks 
> >> couldn't sell it.
> >>
> >> I really don't have a solution - maybe there are 'all electric" 
> >> stores, or soon will be. But in the meantime, its kinda of a 
> >> in-between vehicle still.
> >>
> >> I think an ET with the modern golf cart controller ( 
> >> http://www.alltraxinc.com/index.html) is close to what you suggest, 
> >> even though it still uses the plain vanilla lead acid batteries. I 
> >> have an Alltrax especially programmed for the ET, but have yet to 
> >> install it. Now I just need an infallible charger.....
> >> 
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> >
> > 
> 
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