Electric tractor with front loader: what can it do?

The short answer

An electric tractor with a front loader loads, lifts and moves materials such as manure, sand, soil, bales and pallets, just like a diesel tractor with a front loader, but quietly and without exhaust fumes. That means you can also use it inside stables, barns, greenhouses and warehouses.

All three electric Knegt models, the 304G2E, 404G2E and 504G3E, are available with a STOLL front loader, on its own or combined with a cab. Which model and which attachments you need depends on your heaviest loads and the way you work.

Why fit a front loader to an electric compact tractor?

A front loader turns a compact tractor into a versatile loading and handling machine. On an electric compact tractor, a few specific advantages come on top of that.

• Separate motors: the electric Knegt models have a dedicated drive motor and a separate 15 hp hydraulic motor. The front loader runs on that hydraulic motor, so hydraulic power stays available while you drive.

• Working indoors: an electric tractor produces no exhaust fumes, so you can also load and unload with the front loader inside a stable, barn, greenhouse or warehouse.

• Quiet operation: there is no diesel engine running. That is pleasant around animals, in residential areas, on campsites and at sports facilities, and for the operator.

• Four-wheel drive and power steering: all Knegt models have 4WD and power steering, which makes manoeuvring with a full bucket or pallet easier.

According to Knegt, the company was the first manufacturer of a 100% electric compact tractor. Its tractors have been developed and built in its own workshop in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, since 2006.

What can you do with a front loader? Uses and attachments

With the right attachments, the same front loader handles very different jobs. Knegt supplies STOLL front loader attachments including:

• STOLL grapple bucket (pelican bucket): for bulk material such as soil, sand, manure or snow. The bucket closes tightly, so little falls out during transport.

• STOLL bale spear: for moving round and square hay and straw bales.

• STOLL manure grab: for manure and other loose or irregular material that needs to be held firmly.

• STOLL pallet forks: for bags of feed, building materials, potting soil and other goods on pallets.

• Skid-to-Euro adapter plate: to use attachments made for Skid-steer or Euro mounting systems on your front loader.

In practice, the electric tractor with front loader is used in many sectors. Horse owners and livestock farmers use it for mucking out and moving straw and hay. Nurseries and growers move potting soil, plants and pallets with it, including inside the greenhouse. Municipalities, landscapers, parks and sports facilities use it for soil, sand and green waste, and for snow in winter.

How to choose the right combination in 5 steps

A front loader is only as good as its match with the tractor. Go through these steps before you request a quote.

• Define your heaviest load: what weight do you want to lift most often and at most, and how high do you need to load, for example over the side of a trailer or container?

• Choose the model: the 304G2E has 45 hp (30 hp drive motor and 15 hp hydraulics), the 404G2E 55 hp (40 and 15) and the 504G3E 65 hp (50 and 15). More drive power helps with heavy pushing, slopes and heavy trailers.

• Ask for the lift capacity: how much the front loader can lift safely depends on the loader and the tractor model. Your Knegt dealer will give you the correct figures for your combination.

• Consider the cab: if you often work outdoors in winter or in dusty conditions, a cab combined with a front loader is an option. In the configurator you will find the variants With Front Loader and Cabin + Front Loader.

• Plan your working day and battery: how long you can work with the front loader depends on the intensity of the work and the battery option you choose. The lithium battery can be topped up during breaks via a 230V socket or a fast charger (30 to 80 percent in about 2.5 hours), and an additional battery pack is available as an option.

Prices vary by model, version and attachments, so request a quote for the combination that suits you.

Working safely and efficiently with the front loader

A full bucket or pallet changes the tractor's centre of gravity. These rules of thumb help you work safely and get more out of your day:

• Drive with the load as low as possible and only raise it high where you load or unload.

• Drive calmly in bends, on slopes and on uneven ground.

• Always stay within the specified lift capacity and follow the front loader manual.

• Ask your dealer whether rear ballast is needed for your heaviest loads.

• Never let anyone stand under or right next to a raised load.

• Plan heavy loading work so you can use breaks to top up the battery.

• Have the tractor serviced on schedule: every 350 hours or once a year.

Frequently asked questions

Is an electric tractor strong enough for a front loader?

Yes. All three electric Knegt models are available with a STOLL front loader. The loader runs on a separate 15 hp hydraulic motor, independent of the drive motor.

How much can an electric tractor with front loader lift?

That depends on the front loader and the tractor model. Ask your Knegt dealer for the lift capacity of your combination and always stay below it.

Can I work indoors with an electric tractor with front loader?

Yes. An electric Knegt produces no exhaust fumes and is quiet, so you can also work in stables, barns, greenhouses and warehouses.

Can a front loader be fitted later?

Discuss this with your dealer, who can tell you what is possible for your model and version. If you choose a front loader when you buy, you will find it as an option in the configurator.

See the front loader at work

Would you like to know which electric Knegt tractor with STOLL front loader suits your loads, your site and your working day? Request a free demo and see the tractor with front loader at work on your own premises. Prefer to talk first? Book an advice session, request a quote or find a Knegt dealer near you.