(ET) Tractors - A.C.Lectric Tractors

[Darryl McMahon <darryl econogics com>]

http://www.aclectrictractors.com/tractors.html

This got my attention:

"All ACLectric Tractors and Attachments are fully compatible with
Original GE Elec-Trak tractors and attachments
Please contact ACLectric for pricing and availability
Alan Lionudakis 351 Carrol Rd Nixa, MO 65714
(417) 724-1122 "

Mother Earth News Article

http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/energy-efficiency/the-ac-lectric-tractor-zbcz1506zken

 The A.C. Lectric Tractor: A New Line of Electric Garden Tractors

Reader Contribution By Michael Maxwell and Alan Lionudakis

It takes the falling of a giant pine to give sunlight, rain, and space 
for growth of new, young trees. Such is the story of A.C.Lectric 
Tractors. Building on the legacy of the GE Elec-Trac garden tractors, 
Alan Lionudakis has created a modern electronic marvel. Imagine a yard 
tractor with zero pollution, plenty of power and a long battery life. 
Then, imagine it all coming from Missouri, the heart of the country.

In 1968, General Electric released a battery-powered electric garden 
tractor, the Elec-Trac.  It was a big hit for small farms and homeowners 
alike. With a variety of tools and attachments, there wasn’t much it 
couldn’t do. Times were different though; carbon-based fuels were cheap 
and awareness of emission’s damage to the planet wasn’t widely 
recognized. The Green Revolution was a ways off, after all MOTHER EARTH 
NEWS wouldn’t publish its first issue for another two years.  The 
Elec-Trac was just too ahead of its time, and it disappeared from the 
market. Another viable option wouldn’t be available for nearly 40 years.

Fate’s a funny thing; a chance meeting, a piece of old machinery 
capturing your imagination and magical things can happen. Alan 
Lionudakis, a California transplant to Missouri, fell in love with the 
Elec-Trac and helped repair and restore several of the vintage GE 
electric tractors.  A bad knee surgery forced a career change. His days 
as an electrician came to an end. With a thirty-five year background in 
electronics, manufacturing, mechanics, and an unquenchable curiosity and 
creative spirit, Alan set about to create a modern heavy-duty, 
high-quality version of the Elec-Trac.  Already possessing a desire to 
create an eco-friendly product, he spent countless hours researching 
ways to upgrade and modernize the Elec-Trac. Lionudakis started A.C. 
Lectric Tractor, and founded the only company in America producing a 
high-quality, all-electric yard and farm tractor.

For the needs of a large yard or those trying to sustain an 
environmentally friendly family farm, the A.C. Lectric Tractor is the 
answer. Curbing pollution and eliminating high-priced gas, the A.C. 
Lectric Tractor requires no oil changes, no warm-up time, and is just a 
little noisier than your bicycle. Driven by an 18-horse-power, 
fan-cooled drive motor, these tractors are little work horses. A 
brilliant addition to the electric tractor is the on-board, three-bank 
smart charger that helps prolong battery life. There is even an option 
for solar charging the battery! For about a dime’s worth of household 
electricity, just plug it in and be fully charged in about eight to ten 
hours. The heavy duty, six 6-volt deep cycle marine-type batteries allow 
for longer work time. An on-board 2,000-pound winch provides power for 
lifting attachments, or pulling yourself out of the mud. Weighing just 
over 900 pounds, including the heavy-duty batteries, the A.C. Lectric is 
rugged and quick, and will mow up to three acres of normal grass on a 
single charge. The heavy-duty, marine-style batteries have a ten year 
life expectancy when properly maintained.

We are living in a world where awareness of the environment is a growing 
consideration for purchases large and small. The rise of independent 
companies creating environmentally friendly products with a focus on 
renewable energy sources is a sure sign the giants of waste and 
pollution, are they’re no longer the only option. A.C. Lectric Tractors 
are one of the new companies with new ideas and new products. For more 
information about their full line of products, visit the A.C. Lectric 
Website.

[Images in the on-line article.  I don't know anything about these 
tractors beyond what is in the article and at the website.]

--
Darryl McMahon
Freelance Project Manager (sustainable systems)