http://www.autoevolution.com/news/meet-the-kulan-your-next-lightweight-electric-tractor-85343.html
Meet the KULAN - Your Next Lightweight Electric Tractor
by Gabriel Brindusescu 18th August 2014
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KULAN Electric Tractor
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The auto industry is heading towards engine downsizing, lower fuel
consumption and ultimately, cutting fossil fuels from the equation of
transportation. And if your future personal transportation is represented by
an electric leaning three-wheeler or something similar, your future farm
utility might look like this hard-edged quad.
What you see in the picture above was built by German project POLY-LAB and
is called the KULAN. Their target is to take this electric quad and sell it
to farmers as a cheap and eco-friendly light utility vehicle to help around
with the daily work.
The whole thing weighs only around 300 kg (661 lbs), which is even less than
your average light tractor you can buy now. But don’t let yourself fooled by
its flimsy and simple design. It can haul up to 1,000 kg (2,204 lbs) thanks
to lightweight yet strong materials like B. polyurethane. And you don’t even
need a trailer, ‘cause it has a rear flatbed.
It’s said to be powered by four in-wheel electric motors fed up by a
super-efficient battery pack which should make it go for up to six hours, or
300 km (186 miles). Pretty damn good for a vehicle you’ll mostly use to
carry hay stacks, fertilizer and fruits around the farm. Let’s hope these
numbers will become real.
The team is currently working to bring the KULAN in the light-tractor market
so expect to see it roaming around somebody’s farm in Germany soon. Maybe
the government will also offer some incentives to purchase these more easily
and aid farmers go even greener.
Our only complain? Those damn rims. We know this is a concept and has to
look appealing, but we hope the production version will come with something
more suitable for mud-riding and light off-roading.
[© autoevolution.com]
...
http://www.technologicvehicles.com/en/green-transportation-news/2813/kulan-by-polylab-the-tractor-of-the-future-1
Kulan by PolyLab, the tractor of the future
16 August 2014
http://www.iwu.fraunhofer.de/de/presse_und_medien/Presse-20/presse_2013-12-17.html
[In German translate.google English]
Rollout of the lightweight vehicle »KULAN
Press Release 17/12/2013
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For the Lusatian technology and development cooperation POLY-LAB.NET it was
the reward for almost two years of intensive research, development and
design: On December 10 finally rolled the innovative lightweight vehicle
»KULAN from the pilot plant at the site of POLYSAX education center
Plastics GmbH in Bautzen - and this was the first practice test with flying
colors. Coordinator and research and development network partners is the
Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU.
In April 2012, was founded on the initiative of the member companies and
with the support of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology BMWi
network POLY-LAB.NET. The collaboration brings together fourteen Lusatian
companies and two research institutes, including the Fraunhofer Institute
for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU, which brings above all his
skills from the field of lightweight function. The network has set itself
the goal of combining research and development, so that the region can
secure a firm foothold in future markets with new, innovative and above all
our own products.
»Lightweight technologies, especially for electric vehicles in the
transportation of persons, are becoming further through, explains Dr.
Eberhard Kunke, chief engineer at the Fraunhofer IWU in Dresden. With the
lightweight vehicle KULAN we want to tap this potential in the commercial
vehicle sector. The components, materials and technologies used to provide
the members of the network are available. Our work reflects the innovative
strength of the region as well as the commitment and performance of their
young professionals resist, adds Hans-Tobias Schick dance, Network Manager
of POLY-LAB.NET. The prototype is to show how ideas and ultimately
sustainable technologies can be realized through regional cooperation.
The technology demonstrator, nicknamed KULAN, the name originally referred
to an Asian beast of burden, is about 300 kg and weighs significantly less
than standard small car. It can be used anywhere where exhaust and noise
must be carried out without, as in the park maintenance, on golf
