Reassembled with electricsWiringDrivelineControlsPulling a plowUpgraded controllerWinch motor installed
OwnerMigraine Man
LocationFrederick, Maryland United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1967 Sears Suburban 12
Saved from the recycling pile, this tractor was
acquired with no engine.
Motor 458002 Series Wound DC
Original - Currie XYL-13 600W scooter motor
fitted with 2" pulley for 1/2" V-belt.

Sep 2016 - upgraded to a Ramsey 24V winch motor.
DrivetrainTransaxle, 8-speed (3 forward + reverse, hi/lo
final). 1/2 x 30 belt drive from motor.
ControllerYi Yun YK-43
Apr 2012 - Upgraded to the Yiyun YK-43 1000W
controller.

Previous - Currie 40A 24V speed controller from
a Currie scooter.
Batteries2 Everstart Maxx Marine, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
Group 29 marine battery. RC = 205 minutes
System Voltage24 Volts
Charger All Electronics
24 Volt 2 Amp 3-mode
Heatersolar ambient
InstrumentationVisual throttle position indicator
Visual battery disconnect status
24V battery gauge salvaged from a B&D cordless
mower (CMM1000)
50A automotive ammeter
Top SpeedThe older Sears tractors ain't known for their
top speed. But with the new winch motor
upgrade, I might need to go measure it.
AccelerationThe original scooter motor was "Not scary at
all." However, the winch motor is much more
responsive.
Range1.5 acres. Hasn't left the yard yet, and
probably won't. Range testing info isn't
available yet.
Seating Capacity1 adult plus one carefully-supervised lap-
carried 5-year-old
Curb Weight400 Pounds (181 Kilograms)
Haven't put it on the bathroom scale yet. About
100 lbs. in batteries and 300 lbs of tractor.
TiresF: 16 x 6 x 8
R: 22.5 x 7.5 x 12
Conversion Time4 months of weekends, originally. An additional
50-ish man-hours went into CAD drawings and
custom fabrication to adapt the Ramsey winch
motor.
Conversion Cost$50 for the donor tractor
About $400 in additional parts
Lots of labor
3/2010 - +$200 for new tires
4/2012 - +$60 upgraded controller + connector
9/2016 - $100 Ramsey winch motor; $50
bearings, misc hardware.
Additional FeaturesHaving the variable speed control is a nice feature. Start up would
be abrupt in 2nd and 3rd gear with a simple battery-to-motor
contactor arrangement. The motor is attached directly to the
transaxle, which makes for a nice compact drive system.
The 600W motor is a bit anemic in 3rd/hi. This may be a function of
current limiting in the speed controller. Performance testing is
ongoing. Had the opportunity to pull the 10" single-bottom plow, and
it did well in 1st/low. Didn't have enough grunt to pull the plow in
higher gears. The new Carlisle All Trail tires are wonderful, even
in wet grass.

4/2012 - Upgrading to the Yiyun 1000W controller eliminated the
gutless behavior in the higher gears. I'm seeing 50+ amps draw at
start up, and 3rd-hi is a usable gear now.

9/2016 - The winch motor is a significant improvement. 3rd/hi is
usable now, and there is much more torque available in the lower
gears.

code by jerry