E-141 Question

[whfan74 2,068]

Went Saturday night and looked at a few tractors. The lady had a 1277 (supposedly runs), Two 1054's in the middle of restoration and body work (one of them supposedly runs), and a E-141.

The tractors were in an old barn with very little light to check things out. I also had the wife in the kids in the car so I couldn't stay too long to really get a good look. I was intrigued by the E-141 as I only had seen pictures up to this point.

The tractor looked great, just needs a seat.

So when I go back my question is what should I look for on that tractor? Obviously see if the batteries are good or not. I heard replacing the batteries in one of those suckers could run up to $800 I will also check the frame to see if it is rotting out from battery acid. And if I am not mistaken there is a special charger for this tractor. The body, paint, everything looked great. The tires held air. Only the seat is torn. It was the same body style as my old C-125 that I had and supposedly they were manufactured from 1980-1983.

Are these becoming rare? I just don't see that many of them or hear that much about them. What do these things normally fetch if the batteries are good and everything is there?

Thanks everyone for your help. I am supposed to talk to the individuals later this week.

[wh500special 2,256]

Scott,

There aren't many experts on these things but Geoff Thompson from ontario is certainly the foremost. Hopefully he'll chime in with some useful advice on this machine.

Until then, here's MY take...

The E-141 was never a terribly popular tractor. It filled a small niche need for WH in a time where gasoline prices had hit their peak. Because the technology was bizarre to most folks and the price of gas rapidly dropped after 1983 the wind really got suck out of the sails of this thing.

Overall, as you noticed the tractor is essentially a C-series that substitutes an electrical package for the standard Kohler. While other attachments would "fit" only the special electrically-driven 42" RD mower and the snowblades would work on this machine. Thus equipped, they were apparently quite capable - and quiet - machine in either task.

An off-board 36V charger was included with the tractor that plugged in to a regular household outlet. Six 12 volt deep cycle batteries (wired in two parallel sets of 3 in a series) provided motive power. 12 V batteries are easier to procure than the higher capacity 6 volt units used in the earlier GE electraks, but provide lower capacity. Cost to replace all 6 of them will probably be at least $450.

The tractor used a "brain in a box" circuitry module that contained all the electronic gizmos (relays, resistors, diodes, etc) that helped the tractor do what it needed to do. That box was meant to be removed and set away for service if problems ever developed. I had an NOS one for a while, but sent it to Geoff figuring he'd have the best shot of ever putting it to use.

Apparently the WH engineers were quite creative at making the crude electronics of the day do so pretty fancy things. But the available technology didn't quite match their ambitions and reliability suffered some. Many of these tractors have since been repowered with a regular gasoline engine. All that is required is trimming the hood to fit and junking all the batteries.

Value on these seems to be rather low. i think it is mostly because it is something most of us realize we can't worl on as easily of diagnose as competently as a gas engine.

I for one have had this model on my hot list for a long time. Even posted a wanted ad here a few months back. I really like the idea of quiet power and think this would slot nicely into my collection.

If the tractor is in nice shape but the batteries are shot I think you're realistically talking about a machine in the $250 range - tops. You won't know whether the electric system is any good until you hook it up to 36V power so there is a big "What if" on one of these. Excessive corrosion would only deduct from there.

I sent you a PM as well on this.

Hopefully Geoff happens by. Anything he would say would pretty much trump the rest of us when it comes to these things.

Good luck with that sucker!

Steve

[jtmoyer 1]

i had an elec trak for a short time it did "run" but needed some electric work and some things i need to get smarter on. i was better at repairing and understanding a kohler then the electrical system. my kids had fun driving it around. it essential had a 4 speed and a hydro. you would pick the trans-axle speed and then move the motion lever, the best of both worlds. to replace the batteries with new 6 volts i was looking at $800 but was told you could pick up uesd ones from a golf course. the elect trak had a build in charger to batch charge 36 volts. if there is no charger you could charge each battery separately. it was nice owning a piece of 1970s histery for me but i sold it, since i would/could not repair it myself and i probably would not use it. part of me would like to have an electric horse but again i would not use it so the practical side of me will not buy one.

[whfan74 2,068]

Thank you for all of the great info so far. I was really intrigued when I saw it. Of course for me I am wanting it as a piece of history, not something that I would make a worker out of. I did notice it had a lot of plastic on it.

It isn't the Electrack from the 70's but one from the early 80's that looks just like the C-series with an 8 speed rear end.

When and if I get the phone call back I will do more investigating on this critter. I will head back and check to see if everything is there, including the external charger.

If anyone else has more to add, I am very interested in what you have to offer. I was trying to work out a package deal Saturday so we will see what we come up with. Prices haven't been negotiated as of yet.

Thanks!