Thank you for serving our country. I enjoy your show very very much. You’re an awesome guy. We need more people like you. Keep up the good show. God bless you Ralph Suter.

I personally agree with you Josh when I had a small property if it had been available then I would have really considered one of those. I also had 3 chainsaws which sometimes didn't get used for months at a time I bought a cordless chainsaw that uses the same batteries as my cordless tools when I need to use it I make sure it has chain oil and insert a battery and it works perfectly all day when necessary I insert a fresh battery 👍👌

I have a diesel Kioti (love it), but the electric tractors are great for horse farms, vineyards, orchards, indoor arenas, and noise sensitive areas

Dang it! Now I want one. My property is small, so this size and capacity would work great for me. I'd be able to work early in the morning without disturbing my neighbors. Now I just need to convince my wife. 😀

Hi Josh. Dan here from Southern Oregon. I don't agree with You on everything but I do on this Video. Also Just wanted to say thanks for all the Hard work You do in putting together all Your Videos. Its a Lot of work I know. Thanks.

We have this tractor at our horse farm. We have 48 horses. We used to use wheel barrels to clean stalls, move bedding and feed. You can not drive a diesel tractor all day in the barns filling them with fumes. The electric tractor has replaced the wheel barrel and more than tripeled our efficiency and doesn't fill the barn with fumes for the horses to breath. Love it! We are constantly looking for new and better ways to do everything. It is afterall the third decade of the twenty first century. And thank you for your service.

@CamperVanGuy

8 ай бұрын

Perfect use-case. We intend to do the same. Any complaints or things to be aware of?

@StoneyRidgeFarmer

8 ай бұрын

BAM!! thank you for sharing...this is so good to hear!

@TrinOKor

Ай бұрын

Is there a community anywhere for solectrac owners? I'd love to connect and learn.

That electric tractor would work for about 75% of what I use my tractor for. It's that other 25% that makes me keep my diesel. Now, if I could afford both...

@rickster9993

8 ай бұрын

Then you need a bigger electric tractor. I bet I could do all your work and more with a battery powered tractor. I'll do it with less cost, maintenance, and ease. Withing ten years diesel and gasoline will be sold only in 5 gallon tins and will cost three times the cost it is now.

@TomKD0QKK

8 ай бұрын

@@rickster9993 Perhaps, but cost does rear its ugly head. The tractor in the video cost more than my 43 horse JD. I'm not against electric power but it's going to have to get a lot cheaper. And electricity, at least as we are able to generate it, requires a lot of power to support it. The power will be diesel for the foreseeable future, or nuclear.

@rickster9993

8 ай бұрын

@@TomKD0QKK Actually electricity is far easier and cheaper to produce than drilling a hole 40,000 ft. deep with the hope of oil, pumping it out of the ground, transporting it to a refinery, refining it, transporting it to the service station for you to pump. That doesn't count the number of parts in an ICE engine compared to a electric motor. Right now the cost of the EV is high but as more factories come on line to produce the EV and the battery packs prices will drop. Plus the materials to make the batteries can be recycled gas is gone forever. We are right now in the infant stage of technology with batteries and electric motors. Both are becoming extremely more efficient. I am really interested in the hair pin electric motors and their capabilities.

I work on a golf course in the UK, two of our work vehicles are battery powered and many of our hand tools are now electric. We still use diesel and petrol machines for some applications; mainly tractors and other vehicles like the mowers and our bigger utility vehicles. We also have two hybrid mowers that have a diesel generator that charges the batteries to drive the wheels and the units. I think that battery technology will eventually replace the ICE in a lot of the equipment that we use but as you say there are applications where battery machines are not yet viable. TLDR: batteries are ok just not completely ready for wide scale applications YET.

I have heard that larger Lithium rechargeable batteries are set up so they won't charge if the temperature is too cold to protect the battery. This probably wouldn't be a problem in your area but In Northern states batteries won't charge in the winter when the temperature is too low so they have to be in a heated building. The word is that the batteries can warm themselves some but not enough if the temperature gets too cold. There are a couple of months in the winter the days are too short for solar to provide enough electricity but in your area it should work well. An electric car owner that lived in a Northern state wasn't where he could get his car warm enough in the winter to allow the battery to charge so his car sat for a week until it got warmer. Additionally the car used more power when it was cold to heat the interior of the car so it went less miles per charge.

Disclaimer: I'm old and been turning a wrench (part time and for myself) for 50 years. Give me a 20 to 40 year old diesel tractor or gas powered lawn and garden anything and I'll make it sing a tune. No interest at all in an electric tractor.Glad you like yours.

I like the idea of offsetting cost on the farm use electric or gas as needed.for me it is when the talk to take away options which to buy electric, diesel or gas

Maintenance costs and time would make up for the price difference for a small tractor. I admire that you’re running it and showing us how good it is. And that you are charging it with only solar is awesome too. Lots of tech that you are showing us!!! Keep it coming! If folks don’t like it, they don’t have to buy one! FREEDOM!!! 🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸

@natevanlandingham1945

8 ай бұрын

I'm not against them so let me set that straight. I have an electric golf cart...but wish I had built the gas one I had instead. But your right long term costs is where it matters. When he was at the electric tractor booth they gave the life expectancy of the battery pack. I think he said 10 years? Does that mean it does at 10 years and a day or 9 years...who knows. Talking to a Tesla owner he said those fail just all of a sudden. There life declines but all of a sudden one day they get sluggish and in a few days there totally dead. At the price of those battery pack the battery maintenance I think would shoot the electric tractor back to the top of the cost list I think. You could easily rebuild the diesel engine for less the cost than the battery pack.but it also would be long from worn out in 10 years. I will admit I don't use my tractor as much as the hobby or play farmer might. But I average 25 hours a year on my small diesel tractor that's in the same class as his. After the 15 years I have owned it I haven't put 400 hours on it. I bush hog fields, I plant a few food plots a year, use it some on my garden at the house, use the boom pole for things as needed, box blade when I need it for the drive. I have attachments. I only say this to show that I am actually a tractor owner and own that size tractor and for my uses. I use mine more than some, way way less than others and I would think my use is somewhat typical of a tractor owner of a smaller tractor and a small average. I own quite a few acres but most of them are wooded so open acres puts me on the scale of a small hobby farm. Super long but my point is for many this is t really the case. My maintenance costs are minimal. I don't use 15 gallons of diesel most years, untill the last few did an annual oil change just because. Since oils and filters went up I'm sometimes doing one every other year, still under the hours. But the oil is $15 or so and filter is like $5 so we will say an annual oil change is $20....air filter I blow out and only replace very infrequently (causes it's a washable one) and a fuel filter every 3 years or so. And a battery every 8 years or so. So my total costs might be $100 a year counting fuel?

@KPVFarmer

8 ай бұрын

@@natevanlandingham1945 we’ve had diesel’s 40 years and counting with nothing but routine maintenance. None under 10 years needing a engine rebuilt. We did need a hydraulic pump rebuilt this year for about $2k after 20 years. Not sure what kind of hydraulic pump the electric one has but it could end up the same. We are in Northern WI with some wicked cold that’ll test the limits of whether a diesel will start or not if it’s not in a heated shop. And that’s where I’d like to see this battery pack tested before getting on board. Cold is a battery killer, reducing normal batteries by 30% or so. If battery packs are now $5k that would be more expensive than diesel especially if they had a death notice built in. It’ll be interesting to see how the tech evolves, new battery tech comes out every year or two. Currently our smallest tractor is about 50hp and we couldn’t go below it unless adding an additional tractor. In the winter the tractor is mainly used to move snow and feed round bales so the electric could handle that. I’m really curious to see one tested in the cold; if it could just be unplugged and ready to go to work instantly would be cool. It has less moving parts so perhaps it doesn’t need to get warmed up first for lubrication? If a battery causes a tractor to fail or if a diesel doesn’t start the cattle still need their hay. I wouldn’t risk the animals with only an electric tractor in the winters up here without diesel backup. Doesn’t sound like you’re in need of a new one for a long time, and I can’t go that small without adding an additional tractor. It’ll be good to sit back and see Josh continue to test this one and see where technology goes. I’m certain the major manufacturers are testing models now too. Thanks for the info and cost analysis for yours! Wouldn’t make sense in your situation either right now. Cheers 🍻

@jimbrock8310

8 ай бұрын

Lots of sending money to China!

Being in hurricane land I see how this could be handy for people with a few Acres to do storm clean-up after a hurricane. Especially with a setup to charge it solar where you maybe days or weeks without electricity or fuel delivery. The panels could be secured before the storm to help keep them safe. Solar system for charging the tractor could augment your need to run a gas generator and help keep your freezer and fridge cold possibly even run a few fans or a small window ac. This assumes you have batteries to store and use the power as needed or could possibly pull it from the tractor battery using it like a battery bank.

I use cord-free electric tools a lot. The tractors aren’t quite there yet for my needs, but there may come a day when they are. Honestly, I couldn’t care less either way, as long as I have reliable quality tools that meet my particular needs.

My wife and I want one. We aren’t going off grid in a few years, but close to it. We won’t have to depend on the grid, but we both love the grid. I’m wanting about 100 acres and a nice homestead.

Josh, you seem to be really enjoying this. I see the value in both, I wonder what they said in the day when the first Electric Razor came out? What ever floats your boat. Like you say Josh this is America, free to choose whatever you want. Woo

@StoneyRidgeFarmer

8 ай бұрын

AMERICA!!!! Exactly!

I also must say that 8:59 has to be the best part of this production! :0 Have a great Labor Day weekend buddy!

I think you are right it is basically a hobby tractor. I would be interested in the total cost of implements with charging setup and how long it takes to fully charge.

@natevanlandingham1945

8 ай бұрын

The implants are the same for a diesel tractor. So if you have a tractor already that size you can use the same ones you already have so implement cost to me is irrelevant since you can use what you have or it's the same ones you would use with a gas tractor so that cost doesn't matter.

@wricha4500

8 ай бұрын

@@natevanlandingham1945 cost matters when making my initial purchase.

@StoneyRidgeFarmer

8 ай бұрын

check out the horse farmer that has left a comment....charges overnight 8 hours if it's totally down to 10%

Love what you're doing! Organic, regenerative farming and the electric tractor. Love the electric chainsaw etc. And love all your arguments. They're all correct. Hope this counter some of the hate. I think we have gotten so divided into the "us & them" that we can't agree on the things, we agree about. And science and reality is ignored to push agendas, that has nothing to do with anything.

I have a Branson/TYM 2515h that has 25 hp, Lifts 2000 lbs. with front loader, weighs 4000 lbs. and cost $18000 out the door in 2020. Im not against electric but there are better options out there. I enjoy your channel.

For my small place, the low maintenance and using a few solar panels to charge it is very attractive. Except for the cost - but that's an issue for a gas tractor, too.

@deplorablepiratecaptaingunberd

8 ай бұрын

Does the manufacturer do SMD level repair or just replace boards with the electronics?

@brich2929

8 ай бұрын

​@@deplorablepiratecaptaingunberdI'm sure they just replace

@deplorablepiratecaptaingunberd

8 ай бұрын

@brich2929 so like Apple they'll bill you $1500 for a board replacement, on a $3000 MacBook, because a $5 charging chip went bad. A chip you can't buy from the manufacturer because Apple won't allow them to sell it to you.

@danielkemmet2594

8 ай бұрын

The answer to your question about getting hate on an electric tractor is because everyone knows electrification isn't a natural thing. Electric vehicles and things are being built with back doors for the government to control what you can and can't do, and to do it in an instant.

@sandpine

8 ай бұрын

@@danielkemmet2594every new gas car can do that to. Heck, John Deere tractors have back doors that the company can use to shut down the tractor. They did it when chechens stole tractors from Ukraine.

It looks like a cool little tractor for chores. I'd like to see it with a cab and heater for us in cold climates. As well how it would perform for plowing snow, etc.

@StoneyRidgeFarmer

8 ай бұрын

they do have a model with a heated cab I think...check out the solectrac site

Josh, interesting and stimulating video today. Great intellectual discussion.

It would probably be alright for a small farm of 2-3 acres for small jobs. The one thing that stands out to me is how slow the hydraulic system is. If I'm trying to move, dig or load materials I need something that is quick and strong with a little break out force behind it.

Jash, In the 70's & 80's I grew up on a neighbors farm in Upstate New York. I ended up working for them the last two years they had the farm. It was a 120+ acer dairy farm milking 60-65 head. That E Tractor would have been sweet to do the smaller jobs, instead of using a 35-40 HP tractor where it was just overkill.

I am good with battery and diesel and I think we need both. Nothing political for me, it's about what works best. I have a small solar setup I use for changing up things and as a backup.

Thanks for showing off the little tractor. As a farmer any tech big or small is a welcome sign. It's a little small for my farm at 25hp. Really only use a small tractor like it to power some grain augers and work up a garden spot but always looking forward to new companies 8n the tractor business that might help fight the outrages parts premiums we pay for the big three or four manufacturers. Be interesting to see how they progress.

Well said!

If they are mowing for 17 hours on a little tractor they have more time to waste than I do lol I agree with you bud

As long as it gets the job done.

Four hours you’ve just started in the field! Next they want me to carry a generator! Oh, but I have to buy the connecting devices🤣😂 hell to the no🇺🇸

At the end of the day, it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

@jimsmith8789

8 ай бұрын

Well put. We only have a problem because uneducated leaders have created it !!!

@CashJohnston

8 ай бұрын

Just like the torque on the electric motor is better than diesel. Watch the Tesla semi truck pass diesel trucks fully loaded going up hill like nothing. That’s a solution to a real issue.

@smoothbore4377

8 ай бұрын

If the purchase price was equal, ... THEN you can make head-to-head comparisons. But at this point, there's no honest comparison.

@critical-thought

8 ай бұрын

I once said that about battery operated hand tools. Now most of my hand tools are cord free. There is no way an electric tractor can replace my 55hp turbo, but there may come a day that a machine will be offered that can replace it. I don’t hate electric, but I do hate tools that don’t fulfill their intended purpose.

@hammer9390

8 ай бұрын

It is a great solution for someone that needs or wants a small tractor that can be used off grid or when fuel is hard to get. Up front costs are higher but it's the same for cordless tools. But most people today ate opting for the convenience and utility of cordless. To say that it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist? I would say you need to take a closer look at the world around you and the economic reality that exists now. Twenty years from now how much money will he have saved in fuel cost?

Within the capabilities and limitations of the system, you have me convinced that this seems to be a fine little tractor. Like you say, as long as that charge lasts, it'll probably match any other 25 HP subcompact, to the point where there won't be enough of a difference to make a difference (to borrow a phrase). If you operate within those single charge limits, meh. Like you point out, one of the strong suits is if a person is operating totally off grid where the option to solar charge as you do more or less allows 100% grid / society independent small tractor capability more or less indefinitely (other spare parts excepted). Another obvious strong suit is noise and emissions - if you have jobs that require minimal noise, or if working inside an enclosed space (horse arena perhaps) where diesel exhaust is undesirable, this would be an excellent choice. Where there MAY be enough of a difference vs diesel to make a difference is in cold weather performance (for example, where TTWT or Good Works using their compact tractors to plow / push / blow snow - its a well known fact that batteries lose a significant amount of performance in sub freezing conditions), or in those cases where its a more intensive job that can't be done on a single charge in a day. Then, per the spec, it'll be 5.5 hours for a 20 to 80% with a level 2 220 VAC charger, or 11 hours at 110v (I wonder how long it'll take from that limp home SOC to full? Specs are silent. I know the last 5% on my 2kwh Li-ion solar generator battery takes FOREVER to charge.) For me, it's not political. Like any other tool, there are pros and there are cons. Users, via their buying power, will in the end determine if this technology is ready for prime time. In the meantime, the more you can demonstrate the real world capability of this tractor, in all conditions, the better.

@samuelhitchcock8547

8 ай бұрын

Well put! There's different tools for different jobs you don't want to get a tool that isn't for your job

As I've posted before, the issue isnt political for me. You can play sematic games but ultimately its an electric power vehicle, and that comes with its own set of hurdles. My concerns are about capacity to perform work over the life of the equipment. Like you I hold on to equipment for a long time. Buy as best I can and take care of it. So to me the fact EVs slowly lose battery capacity (capacity to perform work) with each charge cycle is a factor I need to consider. That four hour run time is going to be less 10 years from now, while an ICE tractor will maintain the same ability to work. Thats not to say it wont run on the same battery 20 years from now, but it wont be able to do the same amount of work without battery replacement. It matters a lot if that decrease in capacity means I cant complete a task before I need to charge that I use to be able to. That effects things like resell value if I do decide to upgrade. You say this is a life time purchase, has Solectrac promised to maintain future battery compatibility to allow you to buy replacements or is there an aftermarket option to buy replacement? If Solectrac is the only E tractor on the market I question if other options are available, and thats before considering shady things other manufactures like John Deere are pulling where they force you to use their products and dealer maintenance through software restrictions to prevent issues like someone hooking up an improper aftermarket battery that will damage or create a hazardous condition. There are a lot of questions here the EV market and manufactures have not fully worked out yet. That uncertainty has me waiting until I see these issues resolved before I'm willing to drop my cash on an E tractor or vehicle of any sort.

@sccarguy8242

8 ай бұрын

With DEF and other electronic gremlins on a modern tractor, do you think they will still be running reliably 10+ years from now ?? Will we have the parts availability to repair them ??

@destroyerkuroshiokai

8 ай бұрын

@@sccarguy8242 I would rather have a special fuel system additive common to all larger diesel engines than a proprietary battery system. Diesels have a history of longevity, even more than gas engines. EV remains to be seen but a look at the used EV market confirms some suspicions. Both are susceptible to electronic gremlins though newer EVs seem more restrictive on the owner for whatever reason. I’ll be generous and call that a wash.

@sccarguy8242

8 ай бұрын

@@destroyerkuroshiokai you miss my point, look at any modern day diesel and the longevity is lacking in almost every single one of them. The more sophisticated they become the less reliable they seem to be. The old school stuff will run forever, I have my doubts about anything being built today.

@destroyerkuroshiokai

8 ай бұрын

@@sccarguy8242 agree that I prefer the older simpler systems on small tractors. I agree time will tell on the newer diesels but looking at the used markets their prices seem to hold up better than EV. The biggest issue is the E tractor’s proprietary battery. Everything for that machine depends on someone making a battery for it. Battery tech is changing rapidly. What if the next generation batteries are a revolutionary change but incompatible with older systems. We are hoping a manufacture will continue to support the older systems, or do they let them age out forcing new purchases? That IMO is a different gamble than buying a diesel tractor from one of the major tractor companies. They have history supporting their older sales.

@yeboscrebo4451

8 ай бұрын

Yeah, Josh was a little too simple-minded and condescending about this whole thing. And there are more problems than the ones you listed!

Being honest Josh, I would love to own one, but if I could have only one it would be a diesel. However, if you like it, I'm all for you Brother. Enjoy it.

I like it. I would like to try one myself

We we’re approached about being a dealer, our area has a few customers that would use it however in the current market for equipment has deterred customers because of the price difference over a comparable diesel. Great concept for homeowners and weekenders that need the 45 min -2 hr use tractor. Some municipalities and collage and federal campuses will have to have a percentage in use .

@brunhildemerker5244

8 ай бұрын

The electric tractor is here to stay. check this out ; Going electric is all about making profit. Practicality, an electric tractor is stronger, less noisy and needs less maintenance. It’s environmental friendly, zero emission, starts easy in very cold conditions and doesn’t pollute the soil with oil and/or diesel. Not paying for high gas and diesel prices, saving on maintenance cost is - making profit. Having free solar power for the house, business, and agriculture operation - it’s all about making profit. That’s why economical savvy people switch to all electric and use their existing Solar Panels or et-sun SolarFences© with battery back-up as their own solar plant to get free charges - and make profit. Financial, I have a lower consumption cost per hour, lower maintenance cost and as a farmer, I can receive subsidies on the purchase of anything electric I use on the farm, including a new e-Tractor. Tax Incentives can reduce the ROI down to about 2 years. The best investment I can ever make, besides the fact of being independent from the power grid. e-Tractor models for every type of agriculture operation can be seen on this website: et-sun.com/Products

@redbloodedamerican3204

8 ай бұрын

I agree! Get the democrat commies out and the dollar will be worth more!

@powrguy1696

3 ай бұрын

FORCED to use them, of lose "Federal Funding". ROFL

I’ve had an e25 for two years on my 185 acre hobby farm in western Wisconsin. It’s a solid tractor. Mine is serial #32. Plows snow like a boss in -10oF winter cold. Pulls fence posts in 95oF summer heat. Digs trenches. Maintains trails. Grades roads. Hauls wood. Never blinks. Plug it in to the wall plug at night, it’s ready to go the next day. No fuel tank. No oil changes. No buckets of used oil. No hot exhaust pipes. No exhaust fumes. No hearing protection. The horses don’t bolt. The chickens don’t balk. Even the deer don’t care. It’s been just right for me. Ninja.

Thank you for your videos and I do agree this little tractor is just another tool in your toolbox. I don't understand why people have such a problem

Your 100% right. Pick the right tool for the job. If you need to mow/bush hog 17 hours, then you don’t need the 25 hp solectrac to do that job. We could all carry around a generator and a desktop computer to get some work/email/fun done throughout the day but no one will argue with you that a laptop/iPad/ or just a smartphone will do that job much better than a generator and a desktop computer. I’m looking forward to the electric tractors that CNH Industrial is about to release in the 75 hp range, with 110 kWh battery. That tractor will do a little bigger jobs than the solectrac and provide all day use for light duty work (loader work, feeding hay etc) or 4-6 hours of heavy duty work (75% max load type jobs) with 3-4 hour recharge time on residential chargers (80 amp) or even 1-2 hour recharges on DC fast chargers if available. Yes these 75 hp electric tractors will be more expensive than the diesel equivalent when they first release, but 10 years from now when the tech is mainstream and further developed, it’ll be comparable cost with significant savings on fuel over 10-20 years of usage (diesel isn’t getting cheaper). I drive a F150 lightning EV, and it’s hands down the best version of the F150 trucks. It does 99% of the jobs F150 users do better than any other F150. No it’s not good for towing HUGE distances daily, and if that’s what you do then buy the gas version. But most guys drive trucks like cars, and it costs $13 to go 350 miles in my lightning versus $75 in a gas F150. Right tool for the right job. Great video, it’s not meant to be looked at as solely political partisan arguments. There’s a place for these tools, and eventually they’ll be a major part of our daily lives.

My only "hate" is run/charge times. I use my equipment commercially, so I need 8+ hours of run time. Then I'd be the dingus who forgets to plug it up all the time, just like my drills. 😂

I think that many people are upset because it seems that 'Big Brother' is cramming EVs down our throats weather we want them or not. Also I believe that there area lot of people who are jealous of you that you have this gear to try out and THEY do not. Sour grapes anyone? Don't take it personal brother, you ought to be used to the troll by now. :D Most folks will appreciate that there is someone who will give an honest opinion/ review on equipment that we can't afford to get only to have it go bust. Thanks brother for all you do.

@powrguy1696

3 ай бұрын

Do you also enjoy having your Taxdollars confiscated to hand over to the "Global Elite", who get payback for their "investments" AND political donations? That's all that Global Warming is about.......

I've seen a Kubota l2501 pull a square baler would like to see if it will do it. That being said I pull mine with a 50hp diesel just be cool to see if it can do it

Don't worry man, receive my hug from Spain.

That's a pretty cool tool you got there. I hope you liked the one you went to go see when I saw you at the airport. Take care bud.

I remember when battery operated hand tools were a joke. Now, everyone uses them. Give it time. Like it or not, there’s a future for this technology.

@delta_glider4362

8 ай бұрын

I bought wired screwdriver cos cost for replacing old batteries every now and then (and some of them can't be replaced cos manufacturer changed standard again) drived me nuts. It's not like I use them for commercial work so I could transfer cost to client.

@Neojhun

8 ай бұрын

@@delta_glider4362" can't be replaced cos manufacturer changed standard again" That's the massive problem. A decade later when the battery is dead typically that battery standard is long gone.

Josh, thank you for keeping an open mind and sharing your experiences while using the newer technology with us!

You are correct. Glad you did this video. Well done. The anti-electric vehicle crowd does not study history. The anti EV crowd apparently do not realize how many subsidies the government has provided the fossil fuel industry and continues to provide the oil companies. I know a man who has kept detailed records on his EVs. His savings in gasoline pays for the vehicles. He provides a service that requires him to drive to his customer’s location. He charges his EVs from solar panels like you do.

This was a fun video, enjoyed Josh getting aggravated lol

If a tool works, it works. I've never run a solar/electric tractor, but the concept still holds.

Great video ,JOSH , love the Rant, i will follow your testing progress of the new tool , stay well

Checked internet cost approx 30 K plus more for front end loader.5,600 front end loader that's fairly stripped down but you got to run out a large circuit to charge tractor realistically a 220V charging circuit enough power to maybe change service to house by 100amp increase most of us can't afford nor get power enough like in NW 6 months sunny 6months cloudy

It has its advantages. I’m going solar for my home soon so that means an EV and tractor like that is MORE attractive. Charge on solar is where it’s at.

Josh.. Good information and MY answer to your question as to why you get hammered so hard on an E tractor is simply because they are trying to ram it down all of our throats!! If they would have just let the market roll these things out, and NOT tried to FORCE them on US citizens it would have likely been received much better than it has been thus far! It is simple when you are a free citizen in the US.. FORCE me to do something and I might rebel.. Let the entrepreneurialspirit roll them out in an humble fashion and I truly believe it would have been a much better outcome..

@ChitFromChinola

8 ай бұрын

There are no incentives or regulatory requirements for electric tractors. Solectrac was started by an American entrepreneur. It’s American innovation sold into the free market.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, ideas and videos. Nice to see the options out there and a honest review. Talk about off grid, if you have solar PV and battery storage your all set for a collapse of the fuel supply system. The closest option would be to grow your own soybeans or rapeseed and crush it for the oil and feed the crushed leftover to your animals. Not quite as simple and plug and play as a few solar panels and batteries. Moderation is the key to life. Some battery electric is probably a good compromise as long as it fits your needs. Would be an interesting project to compare the cost of operation with the larger tractors if you were to commit to growing, harvesting, and processing your own diesel. I’m guessing you’d get some pride in it at the end of the year, but you will certainly pay for the privilege. Wishing you and your family the best.

I totaly agree with you

Man you know how to stir the pot and get views! You keep making videos on this battery tractor and asking comments you know what your doing 👍🏻Keep it up!😂

G'day mate, greetings from down under. From a now 71yo bloke who grew up on a dairy farm I totally agree with what you say.

Watching your rant was funny I can now see where it has a place still not big on it but I can see where it could have a place God bless and stay safe also enjoy watching your videos find them informative and hopefully one of these days I'll get something going myself

You hit the nail on the head at the beginning of the video. No one likes the government telling us every move we make. This is not an attack on you personally or the electric tractor. If the technology was allowed to evolve and not shoved down our throats I believe it would be much more excepted. So in my humble opinion it's more about government meddling. I have a lot more to say but it would take too long. Anyways what I am trying to say don't get so upset about comments when you post controversial things like this. Thanks for your service and I am a Marine veteran served in Vietnam. I have a purple heart and Naval Commendation Metal with combat V. I love this great country but I am sickened by the direction it is going. Hang in there. Better days ahead I pray.

@powrguy1696

3 ай бұрын

Well said, Sir.

I'd like to see a hybrid version of the same thing that you can choose to run either electric or diesel, the same technology with hybrid cars. You can have the best of both worlds there.

@sandpine

8 ай бұрын

Hybrid is less efficient because you are hauling around 2 drive trains. It’s actually the worst of 2 worlds. You still have oil changes and all the other maintenance associated with an ICE engine. Then you will have a smaller battery pack and less range since you need space for the diesel engine. The advantage of a hybrid in a car is the ability to take advantage of regenerative braking. I don’t think there would be much of that in an electric tractor.

Sir its not the idea of it being electric its the current administration and EPA not allowing the minerals being mined in our country. In saying this i have solar on my house and made dam sure all these products were made in the USA and Canada. Thank you for your service to our country.

I bought one a year ago for our equine facility. We have 3 horses, 2 donkeys, an arena and a pasture. It’s the perfect size, replaced a 1975 Kubota L285, aka the leaky leaky tractor (30hp). The turning radius is tighter, it shifts from forward to reverse and back much faster (once you get in the habit of not touching the throttle when changing the selection), is quieter, requires far less maintenance (no oil, air or fuel filters, no engine oil) and gee, I couldn’t turn down the 50% rebate I got when I bought it. $32k for a 30 hp Kubota or $16k for an electric? Easy choice. I charge it 1-2x per week, daily if I’m working it hard. Today, I put in 4 hrs on it moving dirt, used 38% of the battery.

We run a Yanmar SA425 as our small tractor. Looks like we're averaging about 60-70hrs per year on that one and yes we're a small hobby farm, in that I have a full time job as well. I like the idea of more weight and it is true to say that the electric motors will cost less in maintenance for a significant period of ownership. I'm guessing the transmission maintenance costs will be the same... Doing the math, the up front cost difference vs fuel etc over time puts the ET at break even around year 10 for us. That's assuming we can get a deal on a solar charging station and the tractor. At full up price or grid charging that pushes breakeven a lot further out. In my mind, the trouble is, the battery is likely to last about 10 years before it starts dropping off. I'm sure it has smart charge technology but batteries just don't last forever, so just as I would be at breakeven, the costs add up again. I would think that you'd want to be running somewhere around 140 + hours per year or more to make this a good financial decision, which a lot of hobby farmers will do but for us and our usage profile, I think diesel is where we need to be at the moment. Environmentally, currently there is no good news about these batteries. Bad from every view point throughout life cycle with poor end of life options. From a political stand point I'd say, if you can make it work, it's worth looking at. Just look to Europe for what is likely to happen to fuel prices, so a solar array and a battery tractor means you can thumb your nose at those that would gladly see you pushed into poverty with fuel prices... they need to make a red one!! Call it the fuel liberty tractor😀

I like it!!!

I like the tractor I agree with you

Well said. That is all.

You know your "peeps", Dude. _"Ignorance as a Virtue",_ is practically the final Virtue that remains!

I think the tractor is awesome and I appreciate you making this video! IT’s technology and the good for Solectrac for making this tractor! I run an oyster farm in Massachusetts and have two F - 150’s one gas and one is the new lightning and it’s amazing, quiet and fast and charged off of Solar. If Ford is going electric everything else will be too! Thanks love your videos!

I don't think battery powered will completely eliminate larger, diesel powered equipment. With that said, I think battery powered mini-trucks or side-by-side type vehicles would be invaluable for "chore" work. I could also see this tractor being useful tasks that require extensive work indoors (such as stacking bales indoors, possibly even for re-bailing, which I don't know how much hp is needed for rebailing).

I wouldn’t mind having an electric vehicle because they have a lot more torque but don’t like the mileage range and hopefully when technology advances more it will get better 💪

Hey Josh thank you for the video and the only thing I can say is to each his own and have a good week and woo

I just came for the funny thumbnail! 😂 If someone gave me that tractor, I’d use it too.

"This is the way".

I like the idea that it’s heavier and not as easily tipped over with heavy loads. For the extra cost, you make up for it with the reduced fuel, maintenance and hassle of a diesel tractor. If you like it, buy it and enjoy it. If you don’t, stick with the diesel. Those who matter, don’t care and those who care, don’t matter. Thank you Josh for the great content as always brother. Greatly appreciate all you’re doing. God bless you and your operation!

I salute you brother. Going against the grain is very bold of you. Especially being on the Tubes.

@yeboscrebo4451

8 ай бұрын

Going against the grain? Electric is trendy. What are you talking about?

I don’t have a problem with them I think they have there place. I think the hate comes from the government mandating electric when it’s not even remotely possible yet! I would question however how they’ll perform in the cold, or dusty environments!

If it works for you, then that is all that matters. When it comes to limp mode, I am usually there by noon.

It has it's use case. One thing I like it takes the load off the fueled tractors. Need to move a pallet, small pile or small project use the electric save the wear and tear of the fueled tractors.

How much is the weight difference between the electric tractor and a ordinary fuel tractor? It should be sold with a garage with solar energy panels on the roof 👍

This tractor is a great idea. In fact, you should get some more solar panels so you could charge it up faster don’t listen to the naysayers you’re doing a great job. Besides solar panel’s are cheaper than buying diesel gas. Solar panel‘s last 25 years or more. Do the math. It’s a great idea. Can’t wait to get an electric truck too!

The politics isn't the main issue for me or for most people. I simply don't believe electric technology for anything from weed eaters to 30 ton excavators is on par with gas or diesel yet. It takes longer to charge than a refuel, it dosen't run as long, and it dosen't produce as much power. If the tech gets there eventually, great. But its not right now. The political side of it is simply that the left is trying to tell us it is on par with gas and diesel and that we need to switch to it now to save the environment, even though it isn't better for the environment. I don't think buying something electric is a political purchase at all, I think it's based on what you think is best for you. But that's not best for everyone. I run a lawn mowing company and I've tried it a couple times, and it always falls short of my needs. For the homeowner or the weekend warrior, fine, electric works. But it dosen't for all, and probably not even most of us.

@HomesteadingintheForest

8 ай бұрын

I own a small farm and use battery powered weed eaters, chainsaws, mowers, blowers, and this same tractor. The Weed eater without a doubt is superior to the equivalent and can be used continuously with an extra pair of batteries. It eats up thumb thick Himalayan blackberries with zero issue. No need for ear protection either. No cleaning carbs and replacing starter cords. Just turn on and go. I’d recommend you try a version that is sufficiently powered as there’s a lot of cheap brands on the market. Makita is a mid-grade version I use because I own many tools already. As for the chainsaw, it’s something I use 95% of the time, just the ease of use makes it a better tool in my opinion, however the Makitas struggle with hard woods beyond a foot thick, so there are limits to the power there. I have a riding zero turn that is a dream. Cuts two acres on a charge and gets through any thickness of grass. The power is there, but if you’re running a business like yourself, I can see that the some of the tools aren’t there yet. But some absolutely are.

@themintlord4744

8 ай бұрын

@@HomesteadingintheForest I have run one or two of the higher grade battery powered weed eaters, and they do compare to some weaker gas powered weed eaters, but they have nothing on the big stihl 91r, 111r, and 131r. I don't think any weed eaters do power wise. Plus I would need so many batteries and I'd have to replace them every two or three years so it would cost me way more than just running gas tools. As for chainsaws, I do have a small battery powered chainsaw for smaller tasks for the convenience of it, but my bigger ones are gas. I've just never seen a battery powered one that can cut through hardwood and run more than an hour per battery. Plus there's storage to consider. It would take way more space for me to store all the batteries I'd need than it does to store a 2 gallon gas can and some oil to mix with it.

However anyone wants to spend their money and it doesn’t impact me, that’s cool with me. Seems like a great tractor for cooler to very warm climates! Depending on the price, it would be a good choice for a homestead or small farm tractor. At $29k that’s not much more than a name brand diesel 4wd, if I was in the market for one, I’d give it a try and see what it does at 20 below. Free world, free choices. Just Say’n 🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸

All I can say is ------ Preach on Brother

Brilliant. This is the future. It just makes sense to be self sufficient with solar to run tractor. Farms are ideal spots for solar, so much sun and so much roof space on barns. I love the truth bomb commentary too and subscribed because of this video.

@brunhildemerker5244

8 ай бұрын

Bigger electric tractors has the ability to exchange batteries quickly, day long is alreadypossible. The ability to have automated exchange ability without even getting out of the cab would be ideal.......Also have several pieces of equipment that use the same battery.....Harvester, dump truck, tractor, etc.

I am mostly opposed to the mining practices for the lithium. Reminds me of blood diamonds

I don’t think it’s going to run when the air temperature here in Iowa is below zero pushing snow??

I believe it would be a great tool to have around like you said it has its place. I love new technology. The only problem I have with it is that certain states/ places are trying to force us to buy it and that's what I don't like.

This will find its way into the market. Just like the electric forklifts. For the same reasons. Who knows, it might even cause the price of fuel to come down. Demand and supply. Though cost is rarely important to the 'gate' people with their 'estates'. One thing is certain, the little foreign garden tractors are garbage. This is probably good competition . Especially if domestically produced.

They’ve been using electric forklifts in warehouses for decades……..seems fine for them. Different strokes for different folks.

Ordered one for a small horse property and can't wait to get it - no more rumble, smell, or trips to the gas station! Here in CA, state program CLEAN OFF-ROAD EQUIPMENT VOUCHER INCENTIVE PROJECT pays more than half the cost of the tractor in exchange for yearly reporting for the first 3 years (some sort of electronic telematics thing installed on tractor). With this program, we're out the door for about $18k. Convenience, carbon footprint, and cost were the deciding factors. Ask your local politicians to implement similar programs.

My primary concern is how long the battery pack lasts, warranty, and replacement costs of the battery. The 70hp Solectrac is the one I want to see reviewed and compared against other tractors on the market of similar horse power. And the cost.

Josh, it has nothing to do with politics. If it meets your needs on your farm press on. I totally agree with you.

For small acreage it's ok. However for heavy duty use the diesel is is best to use. Anything solar/electric was ment for a backup source not for continuous use. Solar/ev still needs "fuel which is electric ". Still need hydraulics to run attachments. If you have one you might as well put a solar panel on the roof, to keep charged while your running chores. From the west coast of Tennessee hope this helps you out. It's still up to your needs. WD

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I have battery and gas power tools. I use each in their needed solution. Battery for quick small work. Gas for larger productivity. Some people are not in the position to use both

Thanks for sharing your honest straight up experience of using an electric tractor! Electric tractor charged off solar sounds like Freedom to me! Marry your solar charger with v.robust Nickel Iron NiFe batteries to give you a 50 to 100yr lifecycle. How long does it take to charge up?

I'm thinking of getting the Bluetti EP500 Pro Solar Generators to help back up my home. I've seen that you have/own one (or possibly two). How are they holding up; how is their performance?

Gotta love it for certan Jobs!

My only concern is serviceability. Once there’s more dealerships spread out, this argument will be off the table. I have a kubota but I’ve shown multiple people your review on the tractor and they’re all fascinated and optimistic. America, make one in America and service in America! It’s a challenge, not a criticism

@StoneyRidgeFarmer

8 ай бұрын

kubota, deere, case and all other major brands are coming out with e-tractors my brother