DIY electric lawn tractor

[bluedog225]

I bet you guys know stuff about lawn tractors. I’m not impressed with the currently available electric stuff (Ego, Ryobi, Greenworks).

What lawn tractor would you pick as a base for an electric lawn tractor and mower?

They are all available. Assume the engine is trash. Husqvarna, Deere, cub cadets, etc.

I don’t want to reinvent the wheel. Replace the engine, throw in one or two of 48V 100 amp hour lifepo4 rack batteries, a controller, motor(s), fuses, and get it cutting grass.

I’m betting some are better suited than others. What’s the best base unit?

Thanks

 

[OccupantRJ]

An older 318 John Deere would be a bulletproof chassis. I own one and it is more garden tractor level than mower. However, it does have hydraulic power steering and accessory lift. Other 200 or 300 series units are likely manual, but I am unfamiliar with which ones.

 

[Gmonkee]

I would go straight for a most basic MTD version with the 6 speed fender shift and no hydraulic system at all. Lots of brands carry them. Mount the motor and align the pulleys then place the batteries.

Not the most efficient chassis but one that requires the least adapting to the new power.

 

[bluedog225]

I would go straight for a most basic MTD version with the 6 speed fender shift and no hydraulic system at all. Lots of brands carry them. Mount the motor and align the pulleys then place the batteries.

Not the most efficient chassis but one that requires the least adapting to the new power.

Modern Tool and Die? E.g. Cub Cadet

 

[Gmonkee]

Modern Tool and Die? E.g. Cub Cadet

No, the OEM of the cheap low end riders branded under a billion names.
The ones no one fixes when the engine pukes.
Used to be Murray long ago.