4 ms·

This is an insane idea. But. Given that unlike cars, tractors work in a bounded area, could some kind of permanent power cord work? Given that irrigation water

This is an insane idea. But. Given that unlike cars, tractors work in a bounded area, could some kind of permanent power cord work? Given that irrigation water can get to all those crops, can't a power cable?

Loughla 6y ago
I think the difference is that water lines for irrigation are mostly aerial except for the one spot where they enter the ground water source. Further, the lines themselves don't move, the machine holding the lines moves. Finally, there is a substantial difference in 'I have a small water leak' and 'I have a small power leak'. Maybe I'm being too closed minded, but I can't see that working long term. The stresses of being dragged around the field, or the infrastructure required to hang the power cord overhead would just be outlandish. For some reason, I can't get the picture of a powered grid of wire mesh over a field like giant bumper cars.
- Tossrock 6y ago
  Series of heavy-payload drones to keep the cable aloft. The drones can draw power from it to power themselves indefinitely. And of course you'd need a massive slip ring at the tractor.
jelliclesfarm 6y ago
Do you mean like a center pivot? Actually that’s not a bad idea. In theory.
eecc 6y ago
I was about to post the same. After all, if I can mow my lawn with an electric mower without electrocuting myself with just a little bit of route planning, can't farmers do just the same?
trhway 6y ago
for farm situation i think battery swaps would work much better. Also giving that the farmers can also have wind/solar installs those extra batteries can be used as grid storage the rest of the time.
- jelliclesfarm 6y ago
  https://www.varta-storage.com/fileadmin/varta_storage/downloads/Webinare_PDF/VARTA-Mobile-Robotics-Webinar-PDF.PDF https://www.varta-storage.com/fileadmin/varta_storage/downlo... VARTA is looking into Ag robotics battery market.

Loughla 6y ago

I think the difference is that water lines for irrigation are mostly aerial except for the one spot where they enter the ground water source. Further, the lines themselves don't move, the machine holding the lines moves. Finally, there is a substantial difference in 'I have a small water leak' and 'I have a small power leak'. Maybe I'm being too closed minded, but I can't see that working long term. The stresses of being dragged around the field, or the infrastructure required to hang the power cord overhead would just be outlandish. For some reason, I can't get the picture of a powered grid of wire mesh over a field like giant bumper cars.

Tossrock 6y ago
Series of heavy-payload drones to keep the cable aloft. The drones can draw power from it to power themselves indefinitely. And of course you'd need a massive slip ring at the tractor.

jelliclesfarm 6y ago

Do you mean like a center pivot? Actually that’s not a bad idea. In theory.

eecc 6y ago

I was about to post the same. After all, if I can mow my lawn with an electric mower without electrocuting myself with just a little bit of route planning, can't farmers do just the same?

trhway 6y ago

for farm situation i think battery swaps would work much better. Also giving that the farmers can also have wind/solar installs those extra batteries can be used as grid storage the rest of the time.

jelliclesfarm 6y ago
https://www.varta-storage.com/fileadmin/varta_storage/downloads/Webinare_PDF/VARTA-Mobile-Robotics-Webinar-PDF.PDF https://www.varta-storage.com/fileadmin/varta_storage/downlo... VARTA is looking into Ag robotics battery market.