Electrified traction
Electric drive solutions can deliver controlled traction to machines and implements where battery, fuel-cell or hybrid vehicle architecture supports the installation.
ZF Agriculture
ZF eTRAC – electrified drive solutions for agricultural machines and implements.
ZF eTRAC is a family of electric drive solutions for agricultural implements, trailers, field robots, subcompact vehicles, farm loaders and yard equipment. Depending on the machine architecture, the family can provide single-wheel traction or a compact central drive with controlled electric power delivery.
The modular approach supports quieter operation, precise traction management and flexible integration with the machine control system, while the exact drive, voltage, cooling, braking and software configuration remains specific to the vehicle.
Core product benefits
The product benefits below describe the operating value of the family for agricultural vehicle owners and service specialists.
Flexible drive architectures
The eTRAC family covers single-wheel drives and central-drive configurations so the traction concept can be matched to the available machine space.
Controlled low-speed operation
Electric torque control can support precise manoeuvring, implement work and traction management in demanding agricultural conditions.
Integration with machine systems
Drive control, power electronics, cooling, braking and vehicle communication can be coordinated as part of the complete machine architecture.
Low-noise electric operation
Electric traction can reduce local emissions and operating noise where the complete machine is designed for electric use.
Modular service approach
The drive, inverter, control unit, cooling circuit and mechanical interface can be checked separately before a component or complete-unit repair decision is made.
ZF eTRAC operating functions
The functions below show how the product works in the vehicle and which systems must be considered when a symptom appears.
eTDW single-wheel drives
eTDW solutions distribute electric traction to individual wheels on implements and trailers, including agricultural equipment where the brake and machine interfaces are specified.
GK drive-and-steer solutions
GK configurations are presented for field robots and subcompact vehicles, combining compact electric drive functions with steering capability where the vehicle design allows it.
eCD central drives
eCD is a compact central-drive concept for farm loaders, self-propelled vehicles, yard tractors and field-robot applications, with direct- or remote-mount options.
Electric motor and inverter control
The motor, inverter, drive control unit and communication network must be evaluated together when the machine shows reduced traction, warnings or intermittent operation.
Cooling and brake integration
Cooling and, where specified, integrated brake control are part of the drive installation and must be checked against the exact eTRAC configuration.
Voltage-specific integration
The electrical architecture may range from low-voltage systems to higher-voltage installations; the drive and safety procedure must always be matched to the individual machine.
ZF eTRAC applications and typical ranges
The table summarizes the verified product designations and application boundaries. Exact compatibility remains dependent on the individual vehicle and unit.
| Application | Designations | Typical range and use |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural implements and trailers | eTDW single-wheel drive family; eTDW 80 documented data sheet | Electric traction for implements and trailers such as driven trailer or slurry-tanker systems, where the implement, brake and electrical interfaces are approved. |
| Field robots and subcompact vehicles | eTDW / GK agricultural application context | Single-wheel or drive-and-steer solutions can distribute traction to additional wheels for difficult field conditions; exact robot platform and rating remain configuration-specific. |
| Farm loaders and self-propelled vehicles | eCD central-drive family | Compact central-drive architecture for agricultural vehicle concepts; do not transfer compact-wheel-loader ratings to farm equipment without an exact source. |
| Yard tractors and agricultural utility equipment | eCD and compatible eTRAC configurations | Electric central-drive or wheel-drive integration can support controlled manoeuvring and traction where the complete vehicle system is specified. |
| Forestry-linked off-highway applications | eTRAC eCD and related electric-drive configurations | ZF also presents eTRAC in forestry/off-highway contexts; this does not establish a named machine installation or universal agricultural compatibility. |
Electrical and driveline service boundaries
The current Agriculture evidence does not establish one universal lubricant, filter interval or TE-ML service card for the consolidated eTRAC family. Service planning must begin with electrical safety and exact drive identification, then separate the drive, control, cooling, braking and mechanical interface checks.
| Product group | Application | Class / boundary | Service guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-voltage or low-voltage system | Battery, fuel-cell, isolation and interlock | Vehicle-specific | Apply the qualified electrical safety procedure before access, measurement or disconnection. |
| eTDW wheel-drive system | Motor, wheel interface, brake control and cooling | Exact eTDW configuration | Check fault memory, live values, insulation, cooling, brake interface and mechanical condition before condemning the drive. |
| GK wheel and steering drive | Drive, steering function and vehicle communication | Exact GK configuration | Separate electrical, steering, communication and mechanical causes using the individual machine test procedure. |
| eCD central drive | Motor, inverter, eDCU and mounting interface | Exact eCD configuration | Confirm the drive architecture, voltage, cooling and software before component replacement or mechanical removal. |
| Lubrication and mechanical interfaces | Gearset, bearings, wheel hub or central-drive section | No universal eTRAC oil card published | Do not transfer construction, tractor or Material Handling lubricant data without a matching official service source for the exact unit. |
The exact eTRAC designation, Part List Number, Serial Number, machine model, machine serial number, voltage architecture, drive arrangement, fault information and service history are required before diagnosis or repair planning.
ZF eTRAC FAQ
Technical answers for tractor owners, agricultural workshops and manufacturers.
What information should be recorded when an eTRAC drive loses traction or operates intermittently?
Record whether the symptom affects one wheel, the complete drive, steering, braking or only a specific operating condition. Note warning messages, fault codes already available, the battery or fuel-cell status shown by the vehicle, operating temperature, load, direction, PTO or implement activity, unusual noise, leakage and service history. Owners and non-HV workshops should not open or measure high-voltage components. Isolation, interlock, inverter, motor, eDCU, cooling and brake-control checks must be performed by appropriately qualified personnel. Send the identification and available information to ATS so the correct diagnostic route can be defined.
Why does the exact eTRAC designation matter for service planning?
eTDW identifies electric single-wheel drives for implements and trailers, GK compact electric bevel-gear drive-and-steer solutions for field robots or subcompact vehicles, and eCD electric central drives for farm loaders, self-propelled vehicles, yard tractors and related applications. These different architectures require different safety procedures, diagnostic sequences, components and mechanical checks. This is not a request for the customer to determine a power class: the exact type plate and machine configuration remain decisive.
Does the complete eTRAC family use one lubricant or service interval?
There is no single lubricant or filter interval for the complete eTRAC family. The correct service provision depends on the exact eTRAC configuration and vehicle installation. Do not transfer lubricant or service intervals from another eTRAC, a construction eCD or a Material Handling GP/GK unit. ATS can verify the correct service route before work begins.
When is mechanical removal justified on an eTRAC drive?
Removal should follow electrical safety checks, fault-memory and live-data analysis, inverter and motor tests, cooling and communication checks, and confirmation of mechanical symptoms such as abnormal noise, contamination, leakage or interface damage. An electrical warning alone does not prove a mechanical drive failure. ATS can separate electrical diagnosis, component repair and complete-unit remanufacturing.
Need post-sale support for a ZF eTRAC agricultural drive?
Send ATS the data from the drive identification plate, including the Part List Number and Serial Number, together with the machine manufacturer and model, machine serial number, operating hours, voltage architecture, eTRAC designation, drive arrangement, fault codes, symptoms, temperature, service history and any available diagnostic information. We will help define the appropriate next step for parts, diagnosis, repair or remanufacturing.
Contact ATS