[[email protected]]

Some more picture of the 316 Electric Conversion...I'm taking all the parts from my 214 JD and putting them into a 316 JD. Today I fabricated the motor mount and the drive shaft. Came out great! I had to turn a mandrel to line up the pulley I'm using as a connection to the motors shaft. I used a square piece of tubing to weld the JD joint to the pulley. Next is to mount the batteries and whole bunch of wiring.....You can read all about the 214 conversion on my web page....with videos... www.rvbprecision.com

 

[TomManson]

You are one ambitious dude! Batteries will make a nice ballast for the tractor.

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks...All the specs and run time and performance atre in the article I wrote about it. A good read.... GARDEN TRACTOR TO ELECTRIC CONVERSION / JOHN DEERE 214 | RVB Precision

 

[TomManson]

I just went to your website and damn, I am super impressed with your abilities. I really enjoyed the story about the Pencil speaker build. So, you are not only ambitious, you are also a genius in my estimation! And I love that tube amp, I had seen something similar recently and was impressed by the open frame design. Thanks for sharing all this neat stuff with us. Tom

 

[[email protected]]

Wow....Genius?....Nope, just can't relax!!! Love figuring out stuff and learning new things. Being retired really helps too! Thanks for the kind words....

 

[TomManson]

Yes, you've been promoted to Genius status, bask in the glory! Retirement is a lovely thing, we now get to indulge in all the wild and crazy things we never had time for when working. I did not have any idea how wonderful it was when working, I should have retired earlier!!! I did acquire many tools while working so that has worked out well for me.

 

[[email protected]]

Here is a video of the first start up of the John Deere 316 electric conversion.....

 

[TomManson]

I was wondering what you had in mind with the pulley, thanks for clarifying it in the video. That looks like a Frankenstein setup you have there for your test firing and I understand it completely! Tom

 

[N2 Tractors]

I was wondering what you had in mind with the pulley, thanks for clarifying it in the video. That looks like a Frankenstein setup you have there for your test firing and I understand it completely! Tom

I was wondered the same thing and thought maybe he is going to transfer the rotation from the pulley to the front to run front implements and mid mount mower decks. It did seem quite loud.

 

[TomManson]

I noticed the noise too and he also mentioned it in the video. Maybe harmonics from the electric motor driving the hydraulic pump?

 

[[email protected]]

The noise is surprising. You could barely hear the motor run in the 214....But then again, the 214 was not constantly turning a Hydro pump. Maybe these pumps are that noisy and we just don't hear it over the roar of the gas motor. But still, much less noise than the gas motor. I could easily talk over the noise in the video. Couldn't do this in the garage with an ICE.......I'm still concerned about alignment of the motor and pump. I might actually replace those fiberglass plate universals with real universal joints.......Stay tuned!

 

[[email protected]]

Today I fabricated the battery mounts...

 

[N2 Tractors]

I’d love to have an electric GT with FEL, center grader blade and rear attachments. You are paving the way. I’m sure the batteries won’t last as long on a hydraulic tractor vs in a manual like the 214. Perhaps you could build a front mount to make a battery sit just outside of the front grill above the hydro couplers and not interfear with front attachments. Still not sure where you are going with this build and what type of factory options will still be usable. Regardless it’s still pretty cool to see someone taking on a project like this. Where’s the popcorn?

 

[[email protected]]

Thank You!...Last thing I want is more weight on the front.....An extra 80 pounds on the rear would be nice. Will be interesting to see how the batteries hold up with a Hydro...Stay tuned!

 

[TomManson]

There was a Deere electric GT form the 70's maybe? I saw one in pieces at my local tractor yard last year. It was looking forlorn parked out in the snow, no mower on it. I believe the mower deck used individual motors to drive each of the 2 blades.

 

[[email protected]]

You sure it was a John Deere....General Electric had the Electrac about that time. My friends father had one. It was quite amazing for its time.

 

[TomManson]

Deere E90, 1972-74

 

[TomManson]

I miss-worded it as a 'GT' which it is not, it is a riding mower. I have an R70/72 which is the same frame size 30" cut.

 

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Yes, I've seen those electric lawn mowers around....My ETrac is done...First ride video soon...

 

[toms580mini]

Why would you even want to do this?