Toro conversion to Electric.....It started!

Rbertalotto · #1 05-25-2020, 07:55 AM

I'm shocked at all I accomplished yesterday. I started at 10am with a complete Toro riding lawnmower.....

Pulled the engine and anything else associated with it. Removed all the mower deck attachments. This tractor will have a front mounted mower to make it easier to access areas of my property.

Found a piece of steel in my scrap pile to mount the motor. My DRO milling machine made locating the mounting holes a snap.

While the paint was drying on the mounting plate, I removed all the pulleys and wire brushed the surface rust, checked bearings and reinstalled

I realized that if I widened the existing, under-seat battery compartment, and raised the seat 3/4 inch, I could mount two of the four batteries in the rear. Great weight distribution. A few pieces of angle iron and a welder....done!

Need to fabricate a front battery rack, do some wiring, install batteries and we are mobile!

This project started with a John Deere 214 that I bought without a motor. I purchased a Honda GX390 gas engine to power it but then decided on electric. As I was getting ready to fabricate a mount for the electric motor in the 214, my son-in-law offered this pristine condition Toro that had a non-running engine. The Toro seemed much easier to mount the motor and being a smaller, lighter tractor will suit my lawn mowing needs better.

I posted the Honda engine for sale on Facebook Marketplace and a fellow drove three hours to buy it. (Going to use it on a homebuilt bandsaw mill) While at my house he saw the none running 20hp Toro engine and bought that too! Nice!

Now I need to purchase 4, 12V Group 31 batteries for the 48v DC motor.......

Stay tuned!

twoton · #2 05-25-2020, 09:52 AM

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Vrobert · #3 05-25-2020, 12:27 PM

Are you going to use the variable drive pulley or bypass it and run a belt directly to the transmission? I expect you will get better speed control and battery life if you bypass the viable drive pulley.

ol'George · #4 05-25-2020, 02:23 PM

Are you sorta reinventing the General Electric Elec-Trak garden tractor of the early 70's?
They were not a big seller, is my memory.

Rbertalotto · #5 05-25-2020, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Are you going to use the variable drive pulley or bypass it and run a belt directly to the transmission?

I'm using variable speed pull that way I don't need to purchase a $500 controller.....This motor is designed for tractor conversions. It runs at 3600 RPM like a tractors gas motor when working. There is no idling an electric tractor. When you stop and depress clutch or put into neutral, motor shuts off.

We shall see how this all works out......

Quote:

They were not a big seller is my memory.

They were awesome! My friends father had one and I couldn't believe the power. But battery and motor technology was not what it is today. Most current tractor manufacturers are offering electric tractors today. Even big 65HP tractors are being offered in electric.

Rbertalotto · #6 05-26-2020, 08:17 PM

Welded up a couple holders for the four batteries. Two in the front, two in the back.....I haven't bought batteries yet, but I just had to see if it works...Pulled the two 12V deep cycle batteries out of my RV and ran the motor on 24V.....IT'S ALIVE!

Ran great!.....Transmission controls speed perfectly. Brakes work....Good to go!

Tomorrow I'll source batteries, put the wheels and tires back on, and drive it around!

cooperino · #7 05-27-2020, 08:22 AM

The back or top of the motor looks to be really close to where the bottom of the batteries will be. Thats the inlet cooling fan of the motor no? Dont want to starve that motor for air...

Rbertalotto · #8 05-27-2020, 08:56 AM

We shall see! I'm attaching a remote LCD thermometer to the motor so I can monitor heat. I have a 6" 12v computer fan that draws very little current that I'll install if things get dicy. It will get its 12v from a DC to DC converter (48v down to 12V/30a)

There is a 1" space between the batteries and the batteries are an inch above the motor.

If none of this works, there is room in front of the motor for the batteries. I mounted them where they are to move as much weight off the front axle as possible. My concern is this is a "Lawn Tractor" not a "Garden Tractor".....It's a lightweight. The batteries are 360#....The motor was 92#, full gas tank 16#, starting battery 35#, Everything else associated with motor that was removed 25#... = 168#....So I'm adding 192# to the tractor. I weight 185#.....That's a lot of weight for those little tires and axles.

The mower deck will be mounted off the front, so when raised, that a whole lot of weight on the front axle.....

I have a John Deere 214 sitting nearby that ultimately all of this might move to. But for my first attempt at an EV, this Toro was a MUCH easier conversion......I'm learning lots as I move along.

cooperino · #9 05-27-2020, 10:08 AM

Ah.. didnt realize it was that much space. looked closer in pics

ironman · #10 05-27-2020, 04:53 PM

This is a pretty neat project. It goes far beyond "General Talk' when it comes to categories for a thread.
I would like to see it moved to the "Home Made" section where more people might view it.
I realize it's not being done on a Cub but someone out there may be pondering it and this thread may help them.
Just my