A little more than a year ago, my husband, Terry, started talking about building a solar-powered tractor. Because we were planning to move to a 30-acre farm in Arkansas, the tractor would have to be the workhorse we expected we would need, rather than simply a conversation piece to show off in parades. The original “antique tractor” — and I use that expression loosely — was a 1950 Ford bound for the scrap-metal pile.
The finished solar-powered tractor will run for nearly two hours with eight batteries. The power capacity is the same as a typical gas or diesel tractor. Terry has graded our rough driveway, slashed the weeds in a field and tilled our garden. The tractor requires eight to 10 hours for a total recharge, so farmers who spend all day on their tractor would probably not be able to use only a solar tractor. For our small-farm applications, however, the solar-powered tractor is perfect.
To see how we made the solar tractor, view more photos and watch videos of it in action, go to Our Solar-Powered Tractor.
Kathryn Griffin
West Fork, Arkansas