I don't own any of these machines, guess I'm just an Elec-Trak snob! Thought it would be helpful however to highlight the current market
to show how far, or how little we've come in 40 years. Enter the 21st century- with the green revolution upon us, a few
modern offerings of electric tractors are available in the marketplace today.
Most are start-up firms who have yet to make any significant sales numbers. Their dealer networks are not firmly
established and so availability of warrenty and repair services are also limited in most parts of the country. Many
questions remain including which of these firms will break through as the market leader or will it be yet another firm still out on
the horizon, perhaps it will end up being one of the major manufacturers of ICE based garden tractors in the market today.
Maybe the biggest question remaining is if the world itself is even ready for an Elec-Trak again? If they only knew how much they are
missing!
As you hear of other new offerings in the marketplace, please
me and I'll add them to the list!
The METI "Classic"
Modern Electric Tractors Incorporated was originally started in
2008 by eight self-proclaimed Elec-Trak "junkies"- Mark Frerking, Jerry Rhodes, Walt Konstanty, Keith Stieg, Geof Thompson, Larry Pellum, Steve
Blaede and Mike Whedbee. A few prototypes and upgrade kits were developed using a few vintage Elec-Trak parts but with completely redesigned, state-of-the-art
electronics. The drive and mower motors were at least twice as powerful as the original Elec-Traks along with a modern G.E. controller,
Peerless transaxle with a locking differential, and all this while being capable of using existing Elec-Trak attachments. A newly designed front
lift was also added and taller battery boxes to better accommodate modern batteries. The company is
now solely owned by one of the original founding members who hopes to begin commercial production sometime in the near future. For more inforation, visit their web site!
The METI "Classic"
The Turfstar 2000 "Electra"
Although actually a 20th century offering, the Turfstar 2000 was introduced late enough in the century it should really be grouped with the 21st century machines rather
than with the electric garden tractors of the 1970's. It appeared in Popular Mechanics in January of 1995. I don't know a lot about them but I do know
a fellow who has a couple of non-working machines who claims were of top notch quality. They sold for around $7,000.00 in their day but did not last long on
the market, probably a couple years at most. They seem to be only marketed regionally in the Milwakee/Chicago area.
The Electric Ox The Electric Tractor Corp. introduced the Electric Ox over
seven years ago and it is perhaps one of the more well known modern offerings. Made in Canada, it has struggled financially over the
years, and most agree the Ox has some great technology advances but the cost historically has been out of range for most homeowners. Last I heard they
are currently reorganizing and hoping to come out of bankruptcy in 2013 reopening as a U.S. company.
The Electric Ox
The WhisperMow
Our own Jim Coate from the Electric Tractor Store was a dealer for the WhisperMow. Solidly built and capable of attaching a snow thrower and rotary broom it was an interesting offering in the market. All I have to say is at least its yellow! It retailed starting at $5,995.00 and cut from 1 to 1 1/2 acres on a single charge. Unfortunately they ceased operations in August of 2010. They did fully admit they were inspired by G.E.'s Elec-Trak all the same. Perhaps some day soon someone will find Bruce Laumeister's magic formula again.
The AMP™ Rider
The AMP™ Rider is the first offering from a major manufacturer of lawn equipment in the country, Ariens.
Priced at approximately $3,000.00 it was more a competitor of the Elec-Trak ER8-36 rider than a garden
tractor. With a 75 minute run time, it was one of the few commerical offerings available on the market
for a while. Unfortunately, it has been discontinued by the company.
AMP™ Rider
The EcoMow
The EcoMow was manufactured in South Carolina by a husband and wife start-up company. It was
positioned to compete in the zero-turn market and prices started around $4,500.00. They had a great
story!
They too however appear to have ceased operations.
EcoMow
The Recharge Mower
Again- at least it's yellow! One of the most economical offerings to date, available from many
retailers including Amazon and Lowes stores. The new G2 version sells for less than $2,600.00.
These units also compete more with the Elec-Trak ER8-36 Rider than they do a real garden tractor.
Hopefully they will continue to prosper as they are among the few commercial offerings currently
available.
Recharge Mower – Model G2
The Yard Cruise
The Yard Cruise was a real new comer to the market in 2011 and has seemed to have disappeared as quickly as it came. Not much is known but it was advertised to cut about 3 acres per charge like the large-framed Elec-Traks however the mower deck seemed to be it's only attachment. One appeared on eBay for $3,820.00.
The Yard Cruise
The Hustler Zeon™
The Hustler Zeon™ price just dropped to
approximately $5,000.00. It can mow just over an acre of lawn making it equivalent to an E10M. Best thing about the Zeon- it's yellow of course! Seriously, the Zeon has several gas powered siblings and has certainly benefited from that engineering. It was the first electric zero-turn mower ever introduced to the industry. Hustler Turf has an extensive dealer network already in place helping to make this mower a real contender for the small yard.
The Green Mowchine
The Green Mowchine price starts at $7,900 making it
one of the more upscale offerings in the market today. It can mow up to 2 acres of lawn on a single charge, only 2/3 that of an
Elec-Trak. It is strictly a zero- turn mower, no other attachments but- you can get optional polished rear mag wheels
for it!
The Green Mowchine!
The Sun Horse 4812
The Sun Horse 4812 is due out in 2013 from Free Power Systems and appears to be more of
a small farm tractor. It's three-point hitch in the back opens it up to a lot of possibilities. With an
8hp electric motor in theory it's much more powerful than any Elec-Trak ever built. No pricing is given on the web site but it looks like
something I'd want to learn more about. The solar panel canopy is just too cool although at 200 watts it's not a viable solution for
standard recharging.
The Sun Horse 4812
Edmond Electric Company, LTD.
Brian Edmond designed an electric tractor back in 2004 and tried for many years to get it manufactured without success. Instead he has adapted his design to enable the average handyman to convert a gas lawn tractor to electric. The plans for it are available on his website, Edmond Electric Company, Ltd. A great way to get started!
The Edmond Electric Tractor Kit
ASI's TriVector ZeroE Tractor
This is one of the latest additions to the market. With hub motors and zero-turn abilities this is one sweet
tractor. Shipments just began in late 2011 and over 100 units have already been sold. There are still just a
few of that very first production run still available- a great collector's item. The TriVector ZeroE Tractor
is really the brain child of Accelerated Systems,
Inc., an electric vehicle component manufacturer specializing in electronic controllers, drive, and
display components. They created
TriVector Systems as a branding tool to
launch thier new concept in turf care. They are currently trying to make a deal with a major manufacturer and
distributor. At $3,999.99 the price is right and it really has a stylish design. A 48V system, it cuts two
acres of grass on a single charge. If it runs as good as it looks and they get a national manufacturer with a
well trained dealer channel, they just might have a winner on their hands!
The TriVector Tractor
Jacobsen Eclipse 322
Their back! In 1973 Jacobsen introduced the short lived Mark IV rider. Today, the
Jacobsen Eclipse 322 is the state of the art greens mower for golf courses. The Eclipse 322 is said lower operating costs
by up to 86%. It has been honored in the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) Industrial Design Excellence Awards. Available
in all electric, hybrid gas or hybrid diesel perhaps this bad boy is the home mower for the man who has everything- starting at
$31,400.00 before attachments!