On 16 Aug 2021 at 16:02, Steves via EV wrote: > I was going to suggest an ET but they are showing their age.
I think this is more of a problem for the large-frame tractors, E12-20. I'd estimate that 80% of the problems are with the circuit card for GE's toaster coil controller, and with the reversing relay (if it's fitted). Rip that stuff out and put in a modern solid state controller, and you have a reliable tractor. I did that with an E15, and it was a vast improvement. The small-frame tractors (E8/10, riding mowers) don't have any motor speed control at all, which eliminates controller problems. Essentially they're gas tractors/riders with a motor in place of the engine. The motor is always off, or at full speed. You use a clutch and a multi-speed transmission to stop and start and set forward speeds. There's just not much to go wrong. I got my New Idea R36 rider (GE ER8-36) in 2001, and it's served me well with very little trouble. I run it hard, too, mowing something over an acre of pasture with lots of hidden roots and rocks. I had new bearings put in all 3 motors about 10 years ago, and one mower motor again this spring. I also had to change a rear axle because I tore up the key and keyway on it by hauling too many logs in my garden cart. I also replaced the motor mower fuses with circuit breakers. The fuses would open when I was loading it down too much mowing 18-20" high grass, and they were kind of expensive. I can't think of any other problems I've had with it. Every spring, sharpen and balance the blades, grease it up, and check the tire pressure. Change the batteries when they need it. The small frame tractors use three 12v group 27 marine batteries, except for a few "heavy duty" E8s that take 6 marine batteries in series-parallel. Now and then you might have to change the diodes or capacitor in the charger. Or you can dump it and replace it with a more modern charger. A lithium conversion sounds nice. You'd probably want to replace the GE boat-anchor charger. David Roden, EVDL moderator & general lackey To reach me, don't reply to this message; I won't get it. Use my offlist address here : http://evdl.org/help/index.html#supt = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = So if you ever need info about anyone at Harvard, just ask. I have over 4,000 emails, pictures, addresses, SNs. People just submitted it. I don't know why. They trust me. Dumb f***s. -- Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, 2003/11/19 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = _______________________________________________ Address messages to [email protected] No other addresses in TO and CC fields UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub ARCHIVE: http://www.evdl.org/archive/ LIST INFO: http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
