Would It Be Possible For Tractors To Run An Electric Engine, Instead Of Using Pto Shafts?
PTO shafts are quite dangerous. I was thinking if its possible for a tractor to generate enough electricity for electric engine that would be installed on a mower or a baler, and instead of using a PTO shaft, there would be a cable providing electricity to the electric engine on a baler. and then you would have buttons in the tractor to increase or decrease power. would this be possible?
Tags: Electric, Engine, Instead, Possible, Shafts, Tractors, Using, Would
October 19th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
It would be possible to govern out an electric motor to 540 but the tractor itself would need double the power to run itself as well as run a gen to produce that much power
October 19th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
its possible, but not practical. The power required would be huge, and require large cable to run the motor,(consider how big the battery cable on you car is, it would be dwarfed by comparison) also a lot more expensive than a shaft, so not many people would buy it.
Hydraulic might be a better rout, still more expensive though.
October 19th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
I have seen specialized trucks driven that way. They have a generator driven by the engine and the power (at a high enough voltage that the current is low and cable needs are modest) goes to motors that drive the wheels.
It is not only practical but that is how most modern locomotives are run with the fuel driving an engine for a generator and the wheels each turned by a motor.
October 19th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
That’s an interesting idea, especially having known people injured by PTOs! While the concept sounds feasible, there would be a loss of efficiency in the use of the fuel energy. But the biggest drawback would be in switching everything over. Operators couldn’t swap a piece at a time.
October 19th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
not feasible, not enough power