1950’s Farmall Gasoline Electric Tractor
Title: Spark-E - Electric Farmall Cub
Date: 2020-2024
Medium: 1951 Farmall Cub, Various machined metal components, batteries
Tractors are an often forgotten tool that has propelled our society to advance to a stage of large scale agricultural production, but in a changing climate, we must also change our farming practices, including our tractors. Keep reading to learn how I converted a 1950’s era gas tractor, to a silent, modernized electric tractor, perfect for homesteaders, and small scale farmers.
It started with a 1951 Farmall Cub
It required innovation to design a system specific to work with this model of tractor, electric conversion isn’t revolutionary, but working with this older model presented unique challenges. The Farmall H was the most widely produced tractor model of their International Harvester “letter” series” tractors - meaning many of these work horses are reaching the point in their life where they become obsolete for usage due to mechanical issues, lack of care, and replacement with more modern technologies, leaving tractors of this era to sit in fields and old barns, rotting away.
The Teardown
To get started, I had to strip this tractor down for a complete rebuild and for reengineering. As I dug into this breakdown problems were encountered along the way too, bolts that had to be handled with precision to avoid broken bolts, and design choices to preserve the beauty of an antique tractor were also made, while accomadating for sizing and changes of the new electric motor.
Tapping into shared knowledge
As expected, more challenges were faced as the build progressed, I found the online community of old-timer tractor enthusiasts to offer some sage advice in mechanical hacks. Time constraints pushed the build forward, while also redesigning the internal engine shaft.
The True Test - can it cultivate?
After a successful build and test drive, the true test was, could this tractor cultivate? The answer was - YES! An electrified 1951 Farmall Tractor now graces Local Roots Farm in Duvall, WA, helping to care for their plants, and community.