How to Convert Tractor Hydraulics From Gasoline to Electric Motor
A hydraulic system is powered by either a diesel-fueled or gasoline-fueled tractor’s engine, depending on the make. The engine not only powers the machine, but the hydraulic pump, a set of gears designed to supply pressurized oil that creates motion for the hydraulic system. Converting your farm machine’s hydraulic system from one powered by gasoline to an electric motor essentially involves installing an electric motor and battery in the engine.
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Things You'll Need
- Wrenches
- Mounting nuts and bolts
- Battery tray
- Hydraulic cables
- Electric motor
- Power drill
- Replacement hydraulic pump
- Electric motor
- 12-volt vehicle battery
- Controllers
- Hex keys
Instructions
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1
Turn off your tractor’s hydraulic pumps to relieve the hydraulic system’s pressure. If the pump is driven by your tractor’s engine, simply switch off the engine. Performance maintenance should never be performed on a pressurized hydraulic system.
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2
Remove the bolts, nuts or screws from your tractor’s top case or engine hood. Lift out the case to uncover the engine. Locate the gas tank and remove it. Disengage all wires that connect into the sockets and unscrew he control panel. Lift out the control panel. Unbolt the pistons and cylinders and remove them.
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3
Install the controller where the control panel was previously located. Screw it into place and wire each pair of small negative and positive wires to any set or pair of sockets. Wire one pair of main wires to the socket located in your electric motor and screw it into place. Route the remaining two main negative and positive wires where the gas tank initially existed.
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4
Unscrew the clutch bar. Because you are converting the tractor to electric, you have no need for a clutch. Clutch bars are essential in a gasoline engine because this type of engine is always on and running, unlike an electric motor. They are essential to disengage the spinning motor from the gear.
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5
Remove the clutch housing from the tractor. Remove the hydraulic pump and check for cracks or other damage, replace it with a new one if damaged and reinstall it into place.
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6
Remove the gas-powered hydraulic motor. Install your electric motor in the place previously occupied by the gas-powered one. The type of motor you select should depend on your power needs. If using the tractor for purposes of mowing your lawn, then you should go for an engine that supports less horsepower compared with digging or hauling. For instance, for larger jobs, go for an engine that supports up to 10 or 15 horsepower.
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7
Match the tip of your newly installed motor to the drive shaft. Check whether the gears are properly aligned to allow the drive shaft to turn when the motor turns. Secure the motor into place using mounting screws and bolts; drill holes where necessary in the original bottom case of the gas motor to create holes for the connectors.
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8
Mount the battery tray on the tractor prior to installing the electric motor’s battery. Attach the battery tray at the spot where the gas tank was previously installed. Drill holes where necessary to provide holes for fitting the bolts and screws.
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9
Install the battery in the tray and connect the battery to your tractor's engine. Wire the main positive wire from the controller to the battery’s negative socket and the battery’s positive socket to the negative wire of the controller.
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10
Charge the newly installed battery to ensure it is fully charged. Considering that vehicle batteries take up to 24 hours to become fully charged, you don’t have to spend as much time charging unless your tractor is a heavy-duty one. Nevertheless, it’s essential to know your battery’s charge time to enable you to factor it into schedules, particularly if using your tractor for business purposes.
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11
Test out your electric-motor-powered tractor. Use the tractor to perform the tasks you intended it for to ensure that all parts are working properly and to determine for how long you can use it before needing another charge.
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