Solectrac Is ... DEAD!!
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- Опубликовано: 13 июн 2024
- While there is a possibility that someone will buy Solectrac and revive it, for now, it appears that the company is out of business.
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You never misrepresented at all. You always hold true to your values and honesty. You looked out for your viewers as usual!
I appreciate that!
Tim; as an IT person, I think you need to hold onto it and wait for the 'Chapter 11/13' notice to come through and then contact the lawyers handling the assets. As it was a loaner asset, it's still covered by the sale. But I would not go out of the way to 'Protect' the asset from weather damage if not going to use it. I suspect you may have it darkening your property for about 6 months before closure.
It would be useful to reach out to a lawyer for a consult, and find out what the law is in your state for abandoned property. It might be writing Solectract a letter, issuing them 30 days to reclaim their property before you take possession of it. Just a CYA
yup send them a 30 day letter and then sell it to highest bidder
My opinion hang onto the tractor till the dust settles. Then if they want it back no problem. And if they say just keep it then do what you want
Good advice.
So keep it and charge them for dry safe storage 😊 when they come asking you can ask back $$
Put some pontoons under it, paddles on the back tires - make a paddlewheeler out of it and offer chartered cruises on your pond :)
Wow! The fact that the PTO speed is tractor-speed dependent is outrageous. I often back my rough cutter into brush in areas I can't drive through. That's a no-go from the get-go. Fine video, Tim! You took the narrow way!
Yep. No PTO in reverse is a show stopper.
@@TractorTimewithTim Show stopper? That's a jaw dropper. I don't think you can even call it a tractor at that point.
I have a 7 foot finishing mower. I regularly mow under my pine trees with it. It's much better than getting a face full of pine sap and needles. Someone should have thought that through a little better.
Poor/lazy design and unrelated to being electric.
@@doctorhfuhruhurr4380 Who said it had anything to do with the power source?
Tim, you were so gracious! with this issue and the tractor! Keep it moving my friend!
Well as some folks say; “Early adopters pay a price for emerging technology.” And, not everything is a winner. I always appreciate your candor and your efforts to be forthcoming with your videos. You did mention some interesting options. I’m sure Dave can give you some ideas. ;-) Blessings.
Bleeding edge tech can cause blood loss
Free tractor just needs engine
I think this is another illustration of why buying from companies that have a history of being around is important. Realizing that any company can go out of business, but as you noted a company that has been around for a while is more likely to have grassroot support and availability of parts.
Unfortunately that gives up-and-coming companies absolutely no chance of surviving and may be part and parcel to this apparent failure. The tractor market is one of the most brand loyal markets out there. People stick with "established" companies as if it were religion. They want their red or green or orange, and won't give any "new" brands a chance. This company may have done nothing wrong, but just fell victim to the tractor buyer's unwillingness to step out of their comfort zone.
Tim, as you would be among the first to say.....a Tractor is not a lawn mower. When I am on the Tractor I am working to accomplish a physically demanding goal (Grading roads, carving ditches, mowing acres, moving items, ploughing, discing, etc). I will work for hours or until my back can't stand any more. But I try to complete the task and if I need fuel I add some diesel and keep going. I do not want to stop for a few hours to recharge the tractor. Especially since, once I am back in my house, in my office, I hate to get back up and go out to complete the job. Inertia is what it is called.
Edit: Tim, Your's was the honest videos I saw of the Solectrac online. Others hyped it up as the future and babied it in their trials. You did not and treated it like a real tractor and let the video speak for itself.That is why I watch this channel.
Fair enough, however, the world has been going electric ever since the first diesel-electric locomotive was introduced close to 100 years ago. In the not too distant future, they will solve the battery density issues that are causing issues right now. I'm looking forward to free fuel from the sun and wind and no more engine parts to service or replace.
Thanks for the kind words.
@@MrJames_1 , you may not have a typical engine, but the electrical components will need service, parts etc. so just like the fossil fueled equipment. Then there is the complicated electronic parts in an EV vehicle of any type. Yip, I worked with electronic components in my job as an industrial electrician and they are not 100% bullet proof. My opinion is there is no such thing as free energy from sun or wind.
@MrJames_1
I doubt you will ever be as right as you think you are, no matter how many decades into the future you project. I doubt that the solar energy is anywhere close to being able to produce itself, ie being able meet the supply and demand chain without massive inputs from fossil fuel sources.
@@johnirwin1837 I have a fairly decent-sized battery push mower (as a non-perfect example). It was pretty expensive for what it was 20 years ago, (runs on lead acid batteries) but in that 20 years, I've replaced one power relay ($50) myself and tightened some screws once. It's never seen a service shop. I'm confident this example can be scaled up to a tractor eventually. As for solar and wind, it's getting cheaper every year to install. My current panels have been working fine for about 7 years and have paid for themselves. Now it's just free power with my last summer bill being -$70. This is just my experience. Milage may vary for others. The future is bright IMO :)
I can't say that its surprising to see this happen with a company that doesn't have deep pockets. On the plus side, there is a chance the technology in the tractor is more off the shelf. If so there could be more life in it than there otherwise would be.
Thanks for keeping us up to date on things. I'm also not a fan of the heavy hand behind electrification. I'm not against going electric but I don't like how its being mandated in ways that don't work for people such as myself that live a rural lifestyle. Strictly my opinion. :)
I was skeptical of this tractor when you first demonstrated it. I love my battery tools but draw the line at a weed eater and chain saw. But I’m not surprised by this company going under because of the hype vs reality. I love what you do for the viewers by your unbiased opinions. Keep it up. Use that tractor until it breaks…
The liquidator appointed by the overseeing bankruptcy court will eventually take possession of your machine.
That's assuming they go bankrupt. Without knowing the financials and dept, it's entirely possible and perhaps even likely that the parent company will choose to just drop all expenses they can and let the company sit in limbo. Just waiting to either sell it, or use it in the future. It's also possible just having an "electric tractor" company will let them request grants and such from the government. Finally, it gives them hype, and hype can help stock prices just as much as it can sell things.
I doubt that. They're not going to chase pennies.
The only thing that should be electric doesn’t have tires.
@@daleolson3506 but it does have a hand grip.
@@casualdictator3680If the company isn't fully 'liquidated' and technically exists still that gives the current tractor owners legal recourse to sue for being sold a product that the manufacturer refuses to support with spare parts ect.
The only way as a business owner you can avoid that responsibility is fully liquidating the company.
Who could have seen this coming?
Stevie Wonder could have seen this coming LOL!
Neil Messick did, but I don't think Solectrac was a company that he had in mind!
@@calebthompson9631 one of them, not the only.
Not surprising to anyone that owns the tractor or familiarity with the norms of Indian culture manufacturing. Tim's analysis on this is quite good and I would add it is annoying to see firsthand tractor dealership owners' time wasted as part of the pyramid scheme to pump and dump the Solectrac brand. The Farmtrac 2500 front-loader of the first run of e25G units couldn't even lift the bucket with a load of dry dirt and they got stuck with hundreds of these sending this useless loader out to the dealers to show people? Next I hear they're pulling parts off customer orders to service warranty claims, and the local dealership said "Nope" and cancelled their agreement. @Tim maybe reach out to Will Prowse and collab on fitting a 240Vac mains inverter to that e25 unit - a "solar" generator on wheels for powering welders, well pumps, and maybe gain some insight into the electric drivetrain hopefully that gets the attention of some other interesting parties. It might be fun because the ball has dropped and there's no expectation of propriety to shill for (or withhold opinions respectfully) anymore the Solectrac brand... find someone willing to tug-of-war the e25G against a Cybertruck for giggles and views.
That sucks to hear them going out of business. It truly would have been the perfect tractor for an indoor horse arena, milking parlor, cleaning stalls, basically anything indoors that you would need a small tractor or little skid loader. No smell not loud an small enough to move around inside a building
Don't cry too much. There are other electric tractors. Solis has one. No clue if it's better or worse but they do exist. There is definitely a niche for electric indoor equipment. Electric forklifts, manlifts, stackers, etc have been in that space forever.
As always, open, upfront and transparent information on your channel. It's ultimately the buyer's responsibility when they buy something. Saw a few comments about people stating maybe folks should not even show this tractor... we live in a very stupid time now. Great content 👍
And this is why you stick with the big few and stay away from everything else. Same feelings with Summit, you can’t change my mind.
Tim has already made a video about sticking with the brands who make their own tractors. That's the reason I bought a TYM instead of an RK. Same tractor, different service network.
i m glad were sticking with case,s and kubota,s tractors
100% on point here
I’ve always thought the same thing about the Summit’s too
@@brandoncrimmins6296I have a favor to ask of you.
Could you please edit your post to clarify you are commenting about Summit tractors, a company with zero connection to Summit Hydraulics?
We likely agree about the fate of Summit Tractors. At issue is if we keep simply saying “Summit” a quality tractor parts supplier will be damaged via no fault of their own.
Thank you for your consideration.
Tim, one thing you can do is look into the local laws for abandoned vehicles on private property. I know here in Texas that you can report one to your city or county. In Texas however this process does not lead to you directly owning the vehicle. It will be removed by the city/county the last previous owner of record will be notified to come get it and pay the towing/transportation and storage fees or if they refuse it will go up for auction.
If the process is similar up there then you have a shot at getting it back for cheap at the auction. But you also have the chance of getting out bid. However either way it removes the legal liability from you. Then again in your state you may be able to show proof that you have notified the legal owner and given them the opportunity to come reclaim their property and if they fail to do so within a specific amount of time, you may be able to have the property declared yours. Take a look and see what the options are. Keeping the tractor is a secondary goal. Removing the legal liability should be the primary goal.
Wow Texas sucks for this. If it’s on my property and the owner has been given reasonable time to get it I should get to keep it since I’ve been storing it for the owner. I know a guy near me who got a road grader this way.
@@W1ldt1mWhen you look at it from only one angle it sucks. However you have to look at it from the opposite side. It keeps clear chain of title for said piece of property. It prevents things like you someone steals a piece of equipment or a car and dumps it on someones back 40 acres. 2 years later the owner of the property dies and his kids inherit the property and decide to start using the back 40 again but there is a strange car on it. They don't get to just claim it and sell it.
Keep using it until it dies. It has to be good for something at your place. I will never entertain something like this unless it has been out and an established company is backing the product.
From a legal standpoint don’t part from that tractor. Is there a parent company y’all could contact? If not I would at least hold it until you found out something definite on the situation. Great video Tim & Cristy.
the no B.S. rule is what keeps me coming back!
Congrats on the FREE tractor!
Shocking.
I personally would keep the boat anchor until you know for sure what the company is going to do or wants to do with it. I can see it turning into an issue with them saying it wasn’t yours to sell or do anything with.
Yeah, on top of that, get a good lawyer to review the contract and figure out what the options are in relation to it and state and federal law.
Not to say you can’t charge them for storing the machine until everything is worked out. Any financial backer could come forward at any time and ask for the machine and that could be 6 months or longer.
I think you better hold on to it for awhile I m sure Banks and suppliers are owed money and will be coming for there assets!
I respect you for your honesty. Another RUclips channel I watch also has a demo tractor, and he raves about it. I've always thought he wasn't being totally honest about it. He also is waiting for the dealer, or whoever to come and get the tractor, and apparently no one has come to get it. I'm going back to what I commented to him, "if it isn't gas (or diesel), I'll pass!"
Another excellent video, Tim & Christy.. Always appreciate your honesty on things. May God bless you both..😉 "Hi" to Katriel... 🙂
You could start charging daily storage. Or..... would be great to install a range extender engine to charge the battery during use allowing continual operation. For repairs locate a forklift repair company. They have been working on battery powered heavy machinery since the 1960's. Great RUclips content as well. Thanks for being truthful and forthcoming.
FIRST: I am a Pennsylvania Attorney with some 25 years of practice. YOU NEED TO CONSULT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR AREA as to what to do with the Solectrac Tractor! I cannot overemphasize this advice! You "could" find yourself in the middle of a lawsuit if you attempt to sell, transfer, or alter the Solectrac. There is a legal doctrine common to the states that I suspect also exists in your state. It is called an "involuntary bailment." That doctrine means that if a valuable item "belonging to someone else" comes into a person's "possession or control", THAT PERSON may have a duty to "preserve the item from damage or spoilage." You obviously have "possession or control" of a "valuable item" that "belongs to someone else." You have received NO-ZERO "written documentation" that clarifies the "status" of the tractor you have. Consequently, you MUST "continue to assume" that the Solectrac tractor IS STILL THE PROPERTY of the Solectrac company until you receive CLEAR direction otherwise. FURTHER - if Solectrac files for bankruptcy, the Bankruptcy Trustee will order that ALL of Solectrac's "assets" be "returned" or otherwise "preserved" until the Trustee can sell that property to generate funds to pay off the existing creditors of Solectrac. That is ANOTHER REASON why you must not do anything with this tractor other than PARK IT in a secure and "weather resistant" structure until further notices as to what to do with it. A local attorney will explain everything I've said. As to electric equipment, yes, some of what is on the market is practical and useful but a lot of "experimental" equipment is not yet ready for "normal use" - like you discovered with the Solectrac.
Imagine trying to sign someone up for attorneys fees for a loaner. How about u send that info to the electric tractor maker and ask them how much daily storage and maintenance costs they are legally responsible for. Idiot
Well tim hasn’t been paid yet by them so Tim could easily fight if soletrac or anyone tried to sue
@@TheHomePros6221 i suspect that Soletrac did not agree to pay Tim any money but just to test their electric tractor and then have permission to use the tractor in Tim's videos. even if Soletrac did agree to some kind of "payments" to Tim, if the company did file for bankruptcy, Tim would likely never collect any money as he would just be among many creditors owed money by Soletrac.
@@TheHomePros6221 with all due respect Mr. Home Pros, I would not assume anything about the actual "contractual" relationship "Tractor Time with Tim" had with Solectrac. One would have to read the actual written agreement Solectrac and Tim signed to know what the terms of payment were between the two. AND - the "law" is not as simple as you suggest with Tim "just keeping the tractor as his form of payment." If Solectrac filed for bankruptcy and there is a Federal Bankruptcy Trustee handling the case, that Trustee has the legal authority to demand that ALL Solectrac "assets" be returned to the Trustee for a liquidation sale. Then any money raised in such a sale goes into a fund controlled by the Trustee to be used to pay off Creditors of Solectrac. Tractor Tim with Tim is likely WAY down on the list of creditors to be paid and as is the case in 90% of all Bankruptcies, the "low priority" creditors on the bottom of the list are NEVER paid.
Storage fee of $100 per day
Great job Tim!
You don't know just how long the tractor will last. I suspect the battery will be the first to go. Like all battery tools, you can buy a battery and keep going. (maybe someone will start selling refurbished batteries). I would keep it until they want it back. You already know its limits. Use it for what its good for and enjoy. I would not sell or repurpose it. If it just dies completely. Then you could start a "solectrac club of America" youtube channel. Thanks for all of your hard work. keep them coming
I agree with you…. Let the free market decide on what the consumer wishes to buy. Government should NOT force people to buy things that they don’t want. I never thought that this electric would catch on and it appears that the free market has spoken. Since technically you don’t own the tractor you shouldn’t sell it. If you were to sell (even if you had an agreement) and that seller were to somehow not honor your agreement or if something were to happen to it (a wreck or caught on fire and destroyed or whatever) and the company assets were to get bought and they ask for it back and you can’t come up with the goods, you’ll be potentially opening up yourself to legal issues that you don’t want to be involved in. If it were me, I’d just keep it until the day were to come (probably never, but CYA) and give it back. Use it as a parade tractor. Sounds like it’s now an antique like the Oliver or a Ferguson Ford.
Its Unique Tim, just unique. Keep it, makes a good museum piece.
I’m glad you mentioned the fact that EV’s are trying to be forced down our throats. I’ll definitely stick with my 1025.
A unique collectible. Until you need parts and service, at which point it will transition to a unique boat anchor.
You did a good job in this video. I doubt if many of your viewers would like being told they have to go electric.
As a precaution, I would take the lithium battery out and put it far away from anything you don't want destroyed. These things are suddenly catching on fire for no apparent reason and are very difficult to put out. Called a thermal runaway.
i almost lost my shop to my angle grinder battery going into thermal runaway thank god i had a barrel of water near by
Glad you were there to save it.
Did I understand correct that the drive motor is directly coupled to the PTO. IE drive speed is equal to PTO speed? Does that mean you cannot run a PTO implement like a chipper? If either of those are true that seems like a non-starter for any tractor.
Very interesting. Usually machines are built around proven components from other manufacturers rather than reinventing everything. Finding which one made things like hydraulic components, loader, power train etc. might be able to source parts directly form them if needed.
its pretty easy converting electric tractor into a diesel just have to take the electric motor out and droup in the diesel
@michaelmactavish4445 the tractor doesn't have reverse so you would have to put the transmission in it too.
God bless you!
I think it would be a great mailbox holder
I agree with you on the battery drills and saws and such but machinery and vehicles they can keep it i will stick with my diesel-powered and gas powered machines and vehicles🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Solectrac ended up exactly where one would expect a company attempting to drive a bad idea forward. It turns out that there is little market for a solution looking for a problem to solve.
If I was you guys I would keep the tractor and use the hell out of it. The best tractor is a free tractor
Give her a hot supper every day!
Hi Tim and Cristy like most of the comments you needs to store it away keep it in good condition if who ever picks up what is left of the company.
Now if you end up with the tractor I would look for a hydrostatic transmission that could be matted to electrical motor. That would give more ground speed options and also fix the Pto problem. Good luck
Robert
Excellent update!
Stoney Ridge Farmer is also supposed to be returning his solectrac tractor, and it hasnt been picked up yet
Sounds like maybe you're not getting paid but hey, free tractor. I'm glad for your post because I've wanted this electric for awhile. One option: Send them certified notice that you would like to return property, and you will happily store it for them for $200/week until they contact you. Once you get to the retail value of the tractor it is yours.
You were very honest about the solectrac, Josh from Stoney Ridge RUclips channel was more the hype guy as you put it.
Good info. Someday a small electric tractor may be a handy barnyard tool and leave the field, pasture and forest work for ICE tractors.
Take the tractor to HYDROS plus and let him Find a "Solution" This is right up his alley, and no turbo lag!
Can’t really sell something you don’t own. Guess it comes down to what agreement you had with the dealer. If there wasn’t any stipulations……I might just wait awhile and see what happens with the company. Good luck.
Where I am sorry for any and all effected, I cannot say I'm surprised.
Tim thanks for your candid description of events, I feel you where right to fear litigation
i agree that been a lot of hype, plus i just does not have the electrical supply , i read it was about 10k to put in a charge station, plus how the elements are mined - lot of slave labor and not eco friendly
So many ignore that reality !
Agree with your thoughts on be ‘forced’ to go this route. There may be an application for this, say indoor or something, but the technology isn’t ready yet. Great channel Thanks!
Thanks Tim. Might be nice to just hold onto it and use it for quick, light duty chores or as a second machine on a jobsite for light duty clean up. At least you never have to worry about it not starting..that is until the battery dies and then it's all over.
Yeah looks like you got a boat anchor all right
Hope it all works out for you. 👍🏻
Love your videos. A lot of the questions I've had your videos answered. Our Church had an old Ford Tractor that recently died. There's a real need for another but there's no funding for it. Our Church is very active in our community and gives out free food and clothing to needy families in our area. We have a work crew of very talented craftsmen from all the trades and our Summer Vacation Bible School fills up with 400 kids in an hour after registration opens online. If you know of any Tractor that could be donated or sold for very little we sure could use one. Our Church is Beacon Evangelical Free Church 420 S. 6th Street in Galloway Twp NJ. The head of our work crew is Kim Spigelmyer if you're able to help. Keep up the great videos. Your wife does a great job filming too!
Thanks for the information.
It would make a great mailbox post, and plant flowers around it.
Not to put to fine a point on this, but this was completely foreseeable! Not avoidable, and kinda deserved. RIP indeed.
Thanks for this information.
Looks like you have a freebie tractor. Use it and don't worry about it.
I really appreciate this tractor and the videos you have made for it. I also hope that electric tractors will be an option in the market at some point, but it seems not today.
Wow, entire episode was one shock after another. Thank you for your honesty and transparency. Your discussion on solectrac is warranted and responsible to your viewers. Thank you!!!!
Thanks!
I'm thinking the preferred compromise would be a diesel/electric hybrid. Would be nice if a tractor was also a 110/220V generator set.
Put the running gear into something old like a Ford 9n or a Farmall - be cool for parades to pull a float quietly
Just for the fun of it I think you should take it to a tractor drag and really see what it can pull!
Great video honest information.
I still think you and Josh (Stoney Ridge) did the best real world tests of this tractor. I do hope that the company (Ideanomics) does their homework like Bobcat did before coming back to the market.
Thanks for the insight! Do you have a video introducing Dave? I might have missed that. Just saw someone helping on a few videos?
I test drove a tesla in October in south Florida. The car is pretty good, but here in Henderson Kentucky, we only have several charging stations. I would have to install my own. Government has tried to shove this tech down our throat. Since I hadn’t seen it on your videos in a while, I just figured the tractor had been returned. There are several business that take wrecked Teslas and convert other cars to electric. Jay Leno has had several on his channel. Even Barrtet Jackson sold several at Scottsville auction. I’m glad they even let you try it out.
Your mention of electric tools (drills etc) is the key point. When something is effective, useful and not too expensive; then people will use it. The same applies to electric vehicles and farm equipment.
Having these things forced upon us is a clear sign that it isn't as good as what came before it. Consumers don't have to be forced to use something that is better.
You guys always have good content. I enjoy watching what you’re doing with the tractors how you’re doing at what you’re running into what you’re not running into what’s working what’s not working? I’ve got a John Deere 430 loader backhoe, 5 foot lawnmower. Couple stump, grinders post, tall, digger back blades, all kinds of stuff this is Greg Ritter. I live in SeaTac Washington, which is right by SeaTac airport.
Thanks 👍. Appreciate you continuing to watch, Greg!
It was a great idea that was just too early. The battery technology just isn't there yet to give you the run time that you need.
We already have electric planes in prototype!
@@Scott_Atlanta Your comment has nothing to do with farm tractors.
@@RealJeep Yet, here you are talking about battery technology. Some people have the brain cells to consider the larger subject. Obviously not everyone. 🤡🤡
@@Scott_Atlantawho cares? They have nuclear plane prototypes
@@wsc2004 The subject was battery technology. Amazing how people “limited” in thought process rush to whine. Yeah, the “who cares” people are really bright bulbs.
Tim you honestly upheld your end of deal. Just keep being honest. But its up to them to come pick up the unit, and storage space has costs as well.
I have electric small tools trimmers, push mower, I only have about 15 min of mowing at a time and my gas mower tended to die from underuse. However it seems as you get larger the fossiel fuel equipment wins out. My JD zero turn has 500 hrs on it and I never have had a problem.
It's time for an LS swap!
I own one of these unfortunately. They’re not out of business yet. I spoke with Sasha in the service department yesterday. Call the 888 hit option 2. I had a question about the backhoe not turning on (the parking break needs to be engaged) also I spoke with Kelly in sales last week and she’s supposed to call me today.
Ask them if they have been paid
@@TractorTimewithTimexpecting to talk with Kelly today, I will ask her and report back.
I asked Kelly directly if she is getting paid, and she has chosen not to respond which gives us the answer. When I spoke to her she continued to assure me that the company is fine. When I rattled off the name of 3 different people who I worked with (who have all left or been fired) she was very defensive and told me companies have turn over all the time. She can't turn of the salesperson in her and keeps feeding me BS. At the end of the conversation she said the interim CEO would be reaching out to me so we'll see where that goes.
@@AndrewDescalso I spoke to interim CEO today. Smooth operator.
I spoke with Robin yesterday and I agree. @@TractorTimewithTim
Last time I went through Lancaster Ohio, Specialty Tractor had a good few on their lot. Are they the only dealer in Ohio? They also have a store in London Ohio
I have had and still have a few of the old general electric garden tractors. I also have converted a couple cub cadets and a wheel horse to electric. I also am skeptical of startups and companies that come and go with proprietary tractor designs. I much prefer getting something that has a lot of easily accessiable spare parts and using a standard off the shelf battery platform. Best wishes with your tractor and to the company.
Seems it would be ideal for a maintenance machine for an indoor equestrian arena, or some other warehouse type business. But, for most AG stuff, as you say, electric is not ready for prime time.
WOW didn't see that one coming?
RIP... Stoney Ridge Farm didn't mention anything when they took his tractor back last month.
I don’t think they took his tractor. He just ‘said that’
How many of our tax dollars did this company stuff their pockets with before they took a dive?
Always enjoy watching, thanks for the great honest content! 👍
Tim, you might want to talk to Stony Ridge Farmer. He had a demo as well and returned it maybe a month or so ago. He might have a contact.
I always wondered about this company and the CEO
Have a lawyer draft up an abandonment letter to give them a time to remove the tractor. After that time expires you can attach storage fees. They usually just release it and not deal with costs to remove.
I've a very solid opinion on electric tractors... its nice that we have the work done for the technology so we could actually operate with and without drag-line systems at a functioning farmyard but there's no way in hell I'm going to store, maintain, transport and operate 19 five ton battery packs and 15 chargers and hire someone with a big truck to bring them out to me in the middle of the field to swap them every 45 minutes through the day just to get 100 horsepower of work done for 16 hours.
Consider reaching out to a local high school, college or tech school that has engineering and/or agricultural programs. They maybe be able to use it for their programs and actually benefit other owners. If it’s a donation, it might absolve you from legal concerns (check with your attorney).
It may also provide you with future content for your channel……. Mmmm…. RUclips content…. 😅
Too dangerous for an education establishment.
Garages paying huge sums to have their fitters trained for the high voltage work and special equipment are now being told their insurance premiums to work on EVs are astronomic.
Hi . Just took a look at their website. The spec for pto is that it is in the under 20 hp category. On a side note , the home page says it can not find info you are looking for, instead of usual error code it just says “go home”LOL
Tim I think we need to find out how much pull power it has load it down till it stops or breaks
The first time I saw those at a fair, i instantly new they werent going to make it. Folks who work their machinery all day dont have time to let it charge. It take 5 minutes to fill up your diesel tank and back to work. Grest video though. Thanks Tim!
I think you should keep it and make note of the things that fail in order. Every tractor has this or that issue as they age and you should treat this electric tractor as an example of electronic tractor technology. Maybe you find it does the job, but maybe, running it like any other tractor, you find it too frail. The use of the battery has a long history and flashlights, transistor radios, and now, cars have all proved that the weakness is the battery. Prove that the battery can be trusted to get the job done and you make the case for every electric vehicle that will be made in the future. When your battery dies is the time to use it as a lawn ornament. You could also decide to continue on, and tell us how much you need to pay for the replacement battery. God Bless.
I would still like to have one. You would just have to accept all maintenance, and have to find the actual purpose, but would still be worth it for me.
Nice future collector item there!
Great video!
Hey, i randomly stumbled on your video and i want to give you my two Cents:
First of all, i really appreciate you standing your ground for your personal opinion, that seems to be quite differentiated. Especially in the fact you acknowledge that not every fault of the machine is due to it being electric, but more that it is just designed poorly.
I guess there is no intellectual property or brand to buy and move on, because isn't this just a rebrand of a Chinese farmtrac 25G or whatever their electric tracgors are called.
Hence, i guess why they didnt do any engineering or testing as solectrac or even farmtrac itself doesnt really care.
This leads me to the sticker on the loader: seems to mark it as something American is it just for the whole tractor or just for the loader?
Nevertheless, for the owners it being a farm trac isnt to bad. They sell a lot of them all over the world, so with a bit of digging you can probably get parts and help. However, your local shop probably wont wanna touch it. Not just because the parts problem, but most of them probably aren't qualified to work on high voltage electric equipment, I guess. Is the battery pack on this tractor even high voltage (vor vehicles that usually is anything above 60V).
With all that intellectual property, chinese companies trying to sell and built poorly engineered equipment, a focus on the tractor itself.
Its sad, that we never get a well executed electric tractor. We can hope for i.e. kubota or maybe fendt, that have things on the horizon. And they may know how to build pretty amazing tractors, but they don't know anything about electric equipment.
Generally, as an automtive engineer with a personal interested in tractors, I see no reason, ehy especially those small tractors couldn't be electric from a technological standpoint, it should be possible to give them enough capacity. Maybe not for every user, but for many.
Instead we see not only the electric part of thise tractors executed poorly, but they also bidge up the tractor bits with the speeds etc.
Although these things could be a big plus for these tractors.
Maybe not if you want to run a flail mower all day. But the type of person that just uses the loader intermittently the i.e. feed bales to their horses and sometimes plaines their riding area.
Or anither great zse cases would be things like running a wood splitter or saw. Especially because these tasks are usually not power hungry, but require the diesel engine to run all day, outside of it's efficient range and wear it out quickly, because if you want to save fuel your rpm are usually relatively low.
Thats the olace were these electric machines could shine. Especially if you reimagine some of the attachments.
This could be fitting it with proper powerful hydraulics with proper flow. So now you could directly put your log splitter into a spool valve on the tractor. Making the splitter even simpler than most pto powered ones. Hec, the tractor could then even turn itself of, when it notice there is no demand for oil flow. Making it even more efficient and working quieter.
Or ither tools, like those mowers. You could have set ups that dont require a pto. Maybe just have a mower with its own motors (they are not too expensive) and just plug them in via cable. Furthermore, if you do something like this, you could ge completely rid of the gearbox if the tractor. Making it drive better than any diesel, probably even any hydrostat.
Additionally, you could fit the tractor with general power outputs/sockets. How handy would it be, if you could drive somewhere and just use your mains powered carpentry equipment or angle grinder to built something? The tractor is just lacking a cheap camping inverter for this. Or again with the log splitter. You could power a standard garden variety mains splitter with it.
But no, instead we get mediocre diesel tractors that are just modified ti be electric.
I would really like to see nit just a oroper electric tractor, but a well thought out eco system that plays into the strengths of the power source.
Maybe even make an additional extra, a small diesel or then even gas generator (you dont need the torque anymore) to attach to your front 3 point or front end loader so you can quickly turn it into a hybrid if needed.
There is a lot you could do, but somebody has to do it properly.
This then leads me to my final point. The economic problem of many if these electric tractors. The heavy users euther need a huge battery capacity which us expensive or they go diesel anyways.
The light useres, that for example inly move a bale once a day, could get away with quite little. But battery powered tractors are usually too expensive for what they use them, because they have too big of a battery capacity. Thats the expensive part of the tractor for now and for them its often far bigger than they would ever need it to be.
With that being said, the sad reality of this is: a lot of the expense and additional cost of the electric portion probably doesnt have to be as big. Somewhere a long the line some people are pocketing a lot of money for a "modern technology" and their knowhow. There is a lot that can and has to happen on this front.
Suggest that you send a certified mail asking for them to either pick up their tractor, sign it over so you can legally dispose of it or take possession of it, or be prepared to pay storage in whatever amount you (Tim) think is appropriate. They do have a corporate address I assume. From there research the abandonment laws in your state. After a time determined in law, you can claim the storage or file a lien on the vehicle. Of course that may not apply depending on whatever contract you might have with company. I'm sure you've already thought about talking to a lawyer.
Don't know if there's a (big enough) market for battery powered tractors quite yet.
I would just use the tractor in a support roll for other larger projects or for smaller simple projects as needed till someone comes by to pick it up. No worries in saving a few hours on the other tractors!
I think your comment about the battery powered tools is spot on. I’m old enough to remember those makita drills with the cigar tube batteries and had a black and decker ranger cordless drill. Those things were garbage compared to the corded tools you could get at the time. That was what 25-30 years ago? Now if you rolled up to a job site with a bunch of corded tools you’d get laughed at. I’ve driven a lightning and an electric tractor that hasn’t been released, they’re a lot like those early power tools. If we didn’t have these not great tries we won’t even get to the point we’re someone makes a good electric vehicle. Really thought, at least with the ones I’ve used the vehicle isn’t too bad, there are limitations but I enjoyed running them. Now the problem is with recharging, right now it’s not as convenient as pouring gas or diesel into a tank. Once they get the fast charging figured out I think they will be an interesting option in the marketplace for Utility sized tractors and smaller.
It was always a boat anchor. Now, it's a boat anchor without a factory warranty or support. That happens with really bad ideas.