Tractor size has been a big debate, on one hand I realize the leaf motor could do more, but I really don't want to tackle something big - garage size as you say is one limiter 
I also wanted something not running so it's cheep and I don't feel like I'm destroyed something useful if it doesn't work out. Thus looking for something old and mid-size. Large enough to be useful for making hay, and large enough to hold the batteries.
What I like about the Oliver design is the engine is not part of the structure/frame. And the transmission shafts (PTO and drive) are exposed. PTO shaft runs inside the drive shaft/pipe. I've got an idea for a clutch design, and hope to sketch it up and post it.
Reading some of the info here, I realize the RPM of the leaf motor will need to be geared down as you say - like by an order 2 to 4. I was thinking of just using the leaf transmission - but that would be too slow - I recall someone saying it's like a1:8 ratio. And of course it has the differential with 2 shafts... and the idea came to mind - if you hold one shaft stationary, the other shaft will spin at 2x the rate. Thus cutting the final ratio to around 1:4... However I'm concerned that differential isn't designed for that amount of use/abuse. Any thoughts?
My goal is to try to use as much as the OEM parts off the leaf as possible. motor, batteries, charger, controller, etc. So staying with the original battery size/voltage I assume would be needed to keep everything happy. Of course I would have to pull the battery pack apart and reconfigure it to the shape needed.
Thanks for the encouraging replies, my wife did agree - that 200hp JD would be a bit much
I also wanted something not running so it's cheep and I don't feel like I'm destroyed something useful if it doesn't work out. Thus looking for something old and mid-size. Large enough to be useful for making hay, and large enough to hold the batteries.What I like about the Oliver design is the engine is not part of the structure/frame. And the transmission shafts (PTO and drive) are exposed. PTO shaft runs inside the drive shaft/pipe. I've got an idea for a clutch design, and hope to sketch it up and post it.
Reading some of the info here, I realize the RPM of the leaf motor will need to be geared down as you say - like by an order 2 to 4. I was thinking of just using the leaf transmission - but that would be too slow - I recall someone saying it's like a1:8 ratio. And of course it has the differential with 2 shafts... and the idea came to mind - if you hold one shaft stationary, the other shaft will spin at 2x the rate. Thus cutting the final ratio to around 1:4... However I'm concerned that differential isn't designed for that amount of use/abuse. Any thoughts?
My goal is to try to use as much as the OEM parts off the leaf as possible. motor, batteries, charger, controller, etc. So staying with the original battery size/voltage I assume would be needed to keep everything happy. Of course I would have to pull the battery pack apart and reconfigure it to the shape needed.
Thanks for the encouraging replies, my wife did agree - that 200hp JD would be a bit much
