(ET) Linear actuator (was: A Cause of Poor Lift Performance)

[Ken Olum <kdo cosmos phy tufts edu>]

My Electric Ox uses a linear actuator and it's great.  It is 5000N (1100
pounds), which is sufficient, but just, for the blower.  Being able to
push down is very useful, especially for the blade.  (In the case of the
Ox, you can steer, somewhat, even with the front wheels off the ground,
because it has separate motors for the two rear wheels with differential
power depending on steering wheel position.)

The problem of float is handled by a slot in the lifting mechanism so
that the attachment can move up and down between the point where it is
lifted and the point where it is pushed down by the mechanism.

                              Ken