Tractor thread | Page 50 | General Homesteading Discussion | Forums

Pork consider a golf cart!!

So some posts back on this thread i mentioned the "tractor" i as going to get.  I've been dissapointed by under powered electric tools before...so i made sure to get the 48volt model.  I am so happy...this thing is beyond amazing...and its humble about it lol.

Here it is all loaded up ready for work.  The trailer I had from cub cadet fit perfectly in the hitch of the club car! Straight to frame aluminum (read non corrosive) hitch.  To bad trailer is so shot..but it works for now.

I've been working this thing for a couple of weeks now so have some observations. 

It has worked out exactly how i hoped (which isn't always the case). 

Effeciency of working has went up like 3 fold.  I haul tools where the golf bags would normally go...seed goes in the seed container...just a general cover the ground seeds mix.  One of the things that always caused wasted time is when I would see something to fix/trim and I'd have to go all the way back to zone 1 to the shed to get my tools.  Now, whenever i need a tool its right there.  I'd like to eventually run a corded chainsaw off this also.  Right now i have seperate 40volt battery chainsaw..but with a giant energy storage system right there it seems like a no brainer.

Fun of work has also went up alot.  This is imprortant cuase i keep telling my kids if its not fun then your doing it wrong.  How many homesteads fail b/c it becomes not fun.  The kids can now come with me to work..before i awlays felt a bit by my self when working.  Its become something the kids like doing now.  Hey guys I'm going to styhe upper field..anyone want to come..usually at least one wants to.  Even if we are in a new/weird place for them they have the safetly and comfort of a "base" of sorts.  They hang off the thing like monkeys.  Originally i as going to get one with rear seats for them..but this used one came right from a country club. My little guys can fit in the to spots where the base of the golf bags would go.  My big guy in a seat or hanging off it.  Don't need to rear seat as that would compromise the utility of this tractor. 

Power.  This club car at 48 volts with replacement trojans is just a joy to use.  Its small tires and electric motor make getting up steap inclines with a load in trailer easily doable.  This is even  with the stock tires...kid you not, it does better then my 69 cub with 10 horsepower getting up reallly steep stuff.  To get power in is easy..just standard 110.  This means a lot because i don't have a vechile and when i'm at remote farm its 8 miles to gas station...just plug in..bam ready to go.

Relaible.  The 69 cub wouldn't run below like 50 or above like 80....if it did run it required a lot of constant tinkering with...i'm done with tinkering on greasy old crap lol.  This thing just runs. Ive run it below freezing even..just starts..sure there is a BIT of power loss from temp. It starts and moves with no drama!  Ive not tested in warm but im sure it will be fine...lots of geezers in florida can attest to that.

A shelter.  When working in the middle of the fields or in sun or rain, the biggest thing is that at some point you have to retreat to shelter.  This in the past means going back to a non moveable shelter most likely a good distance ( I farm 15acre and 27 acre tracts of land).  Oh and don't forget the tools ..might be another trip..and kids.  Now I can just put the cover on zip it shut and tools and people are now sheltered! 

If you want an ELECTRIC utv i would strongly suggest buying a club car electric.  They have been working with electric for a lot longer then any of the UTV companies out there!  Its a very developed tech for them.  IN the past i've bought electric stuff that really was not up to real redneck use...they say gas is for that..but no reason electric cannot do it.  But don't skimp on the 48 volts.

I just wanted to get out of my head my first impressions....i'm in love with it..after years of messing with old gas equipment..this thing is a joy.  Clean and quite...low end torque is amazing.  So happy.