Electric Tractor Conversion

Skinny Kitty Farms  is a small diversified farm in the Skagit Valley, dedicated to developing sustainable farming models.  Our Allis Chalmers  cultivation tractor needs a new heart.  It's 65 year old gasoline engine is a smokey, oily mess, and needs to be replaced.  We could rebuild the engine, but a more sustainable option would be to convert the tractor to electric power.  Many farmers have converted these 19hp tractors to run off batteries and find them to be a better tool with the electric motor.

The tractor is our primary method of weeding on the farm.  It is also used to haul veggies from the field to the wash station on harvest days.  So our little Allis-Chalmers is a valuable asset in our farming model.  With out it, our crops would become overwhelmed by weeds, or we would go broke paying for labor to hand weed row by row.  By converting to electric power, we are also reducing the carbon emissions by taking advantage of Washington's green energy.  Down the road we would like to build micro-wind turbines to power and charge some of the farm systems.  A wind-powered charging station for an electric tractor on a diversified farm is a pretty green idea!  It just needs your support!

Cost breakdown-
Motor- $850
Controller- $360
Batteries- $620
Charger- $320
Cable/ lugs- $250
Misc electrical parts- $150

Steel frame/ fabrication- $500
Belt, pullies, bearings- $200
12v hydro power unit- $300
Ram/ hose - $150

Steel to fix frame issues- $100
Paint- $200

TOTAL- $4,000

With my background in electronics and fabrication, this project should be simple and straight forward. The only obsticle we face is finacing the conversion.  We had planed on converting the tractor next winter, saving our funds for more dire projects this winter.  However after another blown oil seal, we are deciding to tackle this project now.