Experimenting with cultivation provided mixed results. It had power, once I took two of the outer tines off the cultivator. I was able to claw several passes through the very tall grass in my backyard.
This is before I took the outer tines off.
My implements wanted to swing a lot because I didn't have any kind of stabilizer chains in place, and the winch lifting hook being off centre didn't help. A ratchet strap worked perfectly as a temporary solution.
However, the little motor just wasn't up to the job. I overheated it pretty badly, as it had to spin very slowly and draw a lot of current. It wasn't able to cool itself with the built in fan.
So I pulled out the motor.
Found I had melted all the insulation. I have since taken it to an electric motor repair shop, the coils are all good and the wiring was fine, so they reinsulated it for me.
So, down for the count for a few weeks. I found and bought a bigger, more powerful 48v motor from D&D.
It's a lot longer than the old motor as well. Won't fit in the motor mount I made for the last one.
Good thing I'm not the sentimental type.
All hooked up, and back in business.
I did a couple tests with it, cultivated 3 lines, ran up the road at full speed, ran the disc harrow for about 20 minutes. It pulled a LOT harder, smoother and all around better. Temperature stayed at an acceptable level.
Still, I've ordered some active cooling and some gauges, so I will be installing those before I go all out with the cultivating again.
How is the power with the new motor? Was it still not powerful enough to pull the cultivator with 6 tines?
ReplyDeleteThe power is vastly improved. Unfortunately, I didn't try it with six tines, and it's too late in the year now, what with it being frozen and all.
ReplyDeleteOnce I get the active cooling on there sometime this winter, I will be able to try the full-deal cultivation in the spring. It might work, but I might stick with 4 tines to make it easier on everything.