HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-07-26, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2018. PAGE 7.
Local refurbishes antique battery -powered tractor
Battery -powered
John Bernier was looking for a unique project and found one in an electric lawn tractor. While
they may not be entirely rare today, the model that Bernier found, during an auction in Breslau,
was from 1973. The tractor, a 1973 Avco New Idea EGT 120, shown above with Bernier's
daughter Alexis driving, features a built-in charger for a 36 -volt system which, depending on
the model, would run off of six six -volt batteries or three 12 -volt batteries. The tractor can cut
two acres on a single charge, according to Bernier, and can also run attachments such as a
chainsaw, drill, rototiller and snowblower. (Photo submitted)
There is an advertisement for a car
maker currently running on
television that in essence states that
as time goes on and improvements
are made to our world it will be
perfectly natural to plug your car in
to an electrical outlet each time you
come home. This ad might give the
impression that electrical vehicles
are something new. That just isn't so.
One early electronic car held the
vehicular land -speed record until
approximately 1900. The first
recognized electrical vehicle
appeared as early as 1828. The first
known electric car appeared in 1837
powered by galvanic cells
(batteries).
However, strong rechargeable
batteries did not arrive until 1859
and were manufactured on an
industrial scale by 1881. Thomas
Parker of England built the first
production electric car in 1884. A
Des Moines, Iowa company
introduced a six -passenger wagon in
1890-1891 that had a speed of (wow)
14 miles an hour. In the 1890s, New
York City had 62 electric cabs. By
then the UK, France and Germany
were making electric cars, bicycles
and tricycles.
The high manufacturing cost, the
low speed and short battery life
compared to the internal combustion
engine led to a major decline in use
and popularity. Moreover, electric
vehicles could only be afforded by
the well-to-do as few homes had
electricity.
By the 1930s, the electric
automobile industry had effectively
disappeared, although during WWII
some European fuel -strapped
countried tried some vehicles.
Interest revived around 1960
as a need for cleaner emission
vehicles became important.
And remember there are three
lunar vehicles parked on the moon.
The above facts and much more
can be found on the internet.
Looking for a unique project and
wanting a Lawn tractor, John Bernier
of Londesborough attended an
auction in Breslau and purchased a
1973 Avco New Idea EGT 120. This
lawn and garden tractor is equivalent
to a 12 horse -power gas tractor. GE
made 33,000 units of this model
between 1969 and 1975. A similar
model was manufactured between
1975 and 1983. These tractors can
have either a side or rear grass
discharge.
John stated that his refurbished
tractor can cut two acres on a single
charge. It has a built in charger for its
36 -volt system. Large frame models
have six six -volt batteries while the
smaller models have three 12 -volt
batteries. The 36 -volt system can
also be used to run attachments —
chainsaw, drill, rototiller and
snowblower. His mower has one
drive motor and individual blade
motors.
The electrical system of Bernier's
machine was good and he was able
to purchase used batteries to get it
running.
John did have to overhaul the
motors and replace some tinwork but
noted that he had no difficulty
finding what parts he needed in
Pennsylvania or through Harold
Zimmerman at Clean Power
Supply.
John is quite pleased with his
project and has cut his lawn with it
this summer. He would likely be
willing to show it to anyone who is
interested.
Five local ball players were part of
a team that won the ISC U-14
Championship this past weekend in
Saginaw, Michigan. Wingham's
Payten Wheeler was named
the tourney's Most Outstanding
Player.
Also on the winning team were
Riley Good and Cody Long of
Wingham, Christopher Pennington
of Brussels and Braden Radford
from Londesborough.
FROM LONDESBORO
Blow 'n Go Smoothing
$15000 + tax
RSHEAR TALENT
Hair Design & Tanning
45 West St., Goderich 519-524-6555
Drop by our office in
Blyth or Brussels and
check out our wonderful
selection of books. We
have books for all ages.
413 Queen St., Blyth
519-523-4792
541 Turnberry St., Brussels
519-887-9114
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should win, if you like. If you have
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local heroes
33rd Annual
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This is your opportunity to show your
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an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area and Brussels and area
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and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee
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to Shawn Loughlin at editor@northhuron.on.ca
as Citizen of the year for
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Blyth Brussels
& area & area
Nomination Deadline July 31, 2018.
Name and phone number of nominator
info@northhuron.on.ca
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