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Re: (ET) Advice for tractor purchase

I have a bucket loader, but on a E-15.  I also have an E-12.  I believe the frames of both tractors are identical.  The motor on the E-15 is supposed to, according to the model designation, make the equivalent  power to a 15 hp gas engine while the E-12 is supposed to make 12 hp. 

My E-15 is, to be polite, "quirky."  An attempt was made in that model to replace some mechanical power switching with solid state logic.  Too bad the mouse nest on mine rotted a few components.  But even when repaired, the tractor has a few logic problems.  In the case of the E-15, the whole control system could be replaced by a golf cart or EV controller  (like the Alltrax specific to the ET).  I believe, however, you may want to use one of the E-15 or other models that used field weakening as part of the motor power control system if you want to use a solid state controller.  I'll let the engineers in the group respond to that.  I would say that my E-12 seems to be more robust in terms of electric controls, but the E-15 seems a bit stronger and faster.  However, in both cases, I have driven gas powered garden tractors of both 12 and 15 HP which would easily outperform the ETs.  Might have something to do with dragging all those batteries up and down hills.
 


At 11:11 AM 1/16/2009, you wrote:
My guess that most of the people on this list have E-12's, GE built 
more of these 'large frame' tractors than other models.  I have an 
E-12 with mower and snow plow.  The snow moving ability is impressive, 
one guy has a bucket loader on an E-12.  All share the same frame and 
transaxle.  The E-12 is the least complex, electrically speaking.
Knowing what I know now if I was to buy another tractor I would make 
sure the frame is not badly rusted...at the least, examine the frame 
from underneath.  Remove the service panels underhood and in the 
footwell and look to see if the wiring seems original, there are 
tractors out there re-wired by Rube Goldberg.  GE used black numbered 
wiring and the E-12 has 4 big contactors (some, including mine, have 
just 2 big contactors, an upgrade).
Good luck
On Jan 15, 2009, at 2:51 AM, Marcus wrote:

> I'm looking to buy an Elec Trak. I have some hilly acreage which I
> need a small tractor for. I need to do some driveway maintenance, snow
> blowing or plowing, skidding smallish trees and earth levelling/
> moving. I am looking at an E12 but wondering if I should wait and look
> for a higher HP model.  Will the E12 have enough guts and structural
> strength for this kind of work? Would the gear box in the higher
> models be better suited to my needs?
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Marcus Sabathil
> mail glassmarcus com
> Home: 604-947-0800
> Mobile: 604-374-1969
> Site: Q-39 720 Gardner Lane
> Bowen Island BC V0N 1G0
>
>
>
>
>
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