How to choose a cultivator according to your needs

Motocultivator - an indispensable tool for gardeners and gardeners. The main tasks of the soil cultivator include plowing and loosening the earth, as well as hilling, cutting furrows and harrowing the soil. This type of agricultural machinery is quite popular and relatively easy to use. However, when choosing an aggregate, it is important not to miscalculate with its quality, characteristics and price. After reading this material you will learn how to choose a cultivator, what power unit you need, what type of engine and transmission is the most practical and reliable, as well as service features and types of additional attachments.

What is the difference between a cultivator and a walk-behind tractor

First of all, when choosing a cultivator, you need to decide on the tasks that you have to perform using this technique. And here it is important to understand what you need - a cultivator or a walk-behind tractor.

Motor-blocks are units similar to motor-cultivators, but having certain differences. Motoblock, as a rule, is a more powerful technique and can be compared only with the most difficult class cultivators. In addition, this device is more versatile. The walk-behind tractor can be in two versions - with and without power take-off shaft (PTO). Active attachments in the form of:

• Snow Decks;
• Hay and lawn mowers;
• Sweeping brushes;
• Scarifiers and cutters, for soil preparation and much more.

You can also install wheels and a trailer. Thus, you get a kind of tractor for transporting goods. However, a walk-behind tractor, even without add-ons, will cost much more than a motor-cultivator. And attachments from the above list sometimes cost more than the device itself.

Which of these two devices is better? Depends on the scope of use and your needs. Of course, if you require maximum functionality from the equipment, you should take a closer look at the walk-behind tractor. But if you are a simple summer resident and you are looking for a mechanical assistant only for earthwork, this unit will cause unreasonable additional expenses. It is better to stop on a cultivator. He will cope with his tasks no worse, but at the same time he costs several times cheaper.

It is also worth noting that some models of motor cultivators are not inferior in their characteristics to walk-behind tractors. We’ll talk about this in more detail very soon.

On the left is a cultivator, on the right is a walk-behind tractor.

The device and varieties of cultivators

The first cultivators were created at the beginning of the XX century. The device was brought into operation using a heavy electric motor, for which a constant voltage was needed from the network. The thing is that at that time there were no compact and at the same time powerful internal combustion engines. As a result, summer residents were tired no less than after manual work, and the cable that connected the device to the network significantly limited the range. Modern devices got rid of various shortcomings of their old brothers.

If you do not go deep into the technical features of these devices, then we can say that the cultivator consists of the following components:

1. A power unit, in the role of which an electric motor or an internal combustion engine can act;2. Transmission; 3. Chassis; 4. Governing bodies.

Depending on the power and weight, 3 types of cultivators are distinguished:

• Easy;
• Middle;
• Heavy.

Easy - a budget option for an amateur summer clerk

Their weight ranges from 9 to 30 kg. And power, usually within 1 - 3.5 liters. from. Compared with more powerful models, lightweight cultivators have only one drawback - the inability to use in large areas. The maximum area on which it is recommended to work is 15 acres.

The simplest models with power up to 1.5 liters. from. they are suitable only for already developed lands and are capable of loosening the soil to a depth of 10 cm. They have only one forward gear, and the cutter rotation speed is 130 revolutions per minute. A densely trampled land or virgin soil will not succumb to attempts by a weak soil cultivator, therefore, the demand for them is low. But if your goals for working with the site are not global, and the land has already been cultivated, you can look for a device with similar power. It is also worth noting that such basic units of the unit as motors and gearboxes of these devices are not repairable in view of their low profitability. Often such devices are equipped with electric motors.

But, as already mentioned, the power of lightweight cultivators can be higher - up to 3.5 hp Such devices can be an excellent assistant for the gardener. Their mass is 20-30 kg. Moreover, cultivators have not one but two speeds. The first produces up to 130 rpm, the second - about twice as much. Such a technique is capable of processing the earth to a depth of 20 cm. But the width of the cutters, such an aggregate, usually does not exceed 35 cm, which is a drawback, since it will take more time to process the site.

Easy motor cultivator to work.

Medium - the best option for the gardener or amateur gardener

Another advantage is ease of use. If you’ve never picked up a soil cultivator, don’t worry. The new acquisition is not an abstruse mechanism, which you cannot understand without instructions and “100 grams”. Everything is simple, reliable and efficient.

Medium cultivator at work.

Heavy cultivator or walk-behind tractor

Heavy cultivator at work.

How to determine the power unit of a cultivator

Electric and internal combustion engines are installed on the soil cultivators.

Cultivators with electric motors

Such units are driven by a special electric motor. In turn, the engine runs on mains, and a long cable connects them. Everything is like at the beginning of the 20th century, only more powerful and lighter. In addition to small dimensions, the advantages of technology include the absence of harmful emissions into the air. When using the device, you do not have to inhale the exhaust fumes, which are in excess in the air.

But the main drawback of the electric cultivator is the cord. Firstly, this worsens its mobility, since if there is no outlet nearby, you will have to plow the land manually. Secondly, you need to monitor the safety of the cable. If it is damaged by the cutters, there is a chance of electric shock to the operator, which can lead to personal injury. The cost of technology is relatively low, but high power is not worth the wait. Usually it does not exceed 2 - 3 kW (approximately 2.7 - 4 hp).

Suitable unit for digging and processing flower beds, front gardens. Also used in enclosed spaces where cultivators with an internal combustion engine cannot be used. Greenhouses, greenhouses and winter gardens can be processed either manually or using an electric cultivator. Few people want to take a shovel and a rake in their hands, and the presence of exhaust gases left by internal combustion engines (internal combustion engines) after their work is simply unacceptable in closed rooms. Therefore, an electric cultivator is the best option in this case.

There are also cultivators with an electric motor running on battery power without any cables. And this is the only noticeable difference between the above models. The battery is more mobile, but not superior in power. It is usually used in small areas when processing only the topsoil.

Motor-cultivator with an internal combustion engine

Gasoline powered cultivators are the most popular. They have virtually no power limits. The only thing that can push away from the purchase is a high price.

Gasoline cultivators are more difficult to maintain. The engine should be periodically cleaned of dust and earth and other maintenance procedures should be followed. Neglecting them can lead to malfunctions, or even serious damage. Due to exhaust emissions, the device must not be used indoors.

Motocultivators can be equipped with two types of internal combustion engines: two-stroke and four-stroke.

1. Push-pull. They are cheaper and 60–70% more powerful than four-stroke analogs (with the same dimensions). But there are drawbacks. The first is efficiency - the engine consumes more fuel. The second is reliability and resource. To avoid serious damage, use only high-quality fuel and oil. In addition, it is imperative to adhere to the recommended mixing proportions of the ingredients. Otherwise, the breakdown will occur much earlier than the deadline. In terms of engine life, two-stroke engines always lose four-stroke. By the way, repairing “two-stroke” is usually quite expensive. Therefore, the damaged equipment is sent not to the workshop, but to the landfill. The owner goes for a new purchase. This type of engine can be met only on light models of cultivators.

Two-stroke engine cultivator.

2. Four stroke. Almost all new models are equipped with this engine.The first tangible advantage over the previous version is increased comfort. They boast less noise. The mass is also different. Four-stroke is heavier, which only improves the work of equipment when plowing and loosening. The engine is also distinguished by its "cleanliness". Four-stroke engines have much less harmful emissions into the air. And most importantly, equipment with this engine will last longer.

It is widely believed among gardeners that while working with a gas cultivator, periodic breaks should be made in order to cool the motor. But in fact, this is not necessary at all. To raise the temperature outside the norm, you need to spend far more than one hour. In addition, the equipment tank has a limited volume, which is enough for several hours of operation. Accordingly, from time to time it will be necessary to interrupt for refueling. In these few minutes, the engine will have time to cool down until the next refueling (if necessary).

Four-stroke engine cultivator.

What you need to know about the transmission

You already know which motor cultivator to choose depending on weight, power, type of engine and other factors. But for the right choice, do not forget about the transmission. Much depends on the type of gearbox and clutch: reliability, comfort during operation and layout of the cultivator.

Unit gearbox

The gearbox is designed to transmit torque from the engine through the clutch to the wheels or working bodies of the cultivator. The reliability of this unit largely determines the duration of operation of the entire unit. Typically, chain cultivators use a chain, worm or gear transmission.

1. Chain gear. The chain drive is placed on soil cultivators in which the engine crankshaft is horizontal. This is the most popular solution since this gearbox has the greatest resource at a low cost. When buying a cultivator with such a gearbox, you must pay attention to whether the gearbox is collapsible. If it is collapsible, then almost all breakdowns that may occur during operation can be eliminated. The most likely malfunctions are: stretching and open circuit; damage to sprockets, cutting dowels on the drive ox. All these malfunctions are easily resolved with the help of a service center or even independently.

2. Worm gear. With a vertical arrangement of the crankshaft, a worm gear is used on light cultivators. It is distinguished by its relatively small mass and compactness. The installation of such gearboxes on light cultivators is due to the fact that they do not withstand heavy loads. With the help of such a reducer, the cultivator can loosen the already cultivated land, but it will not work for more serious things. For example, this type of gearbox does not allow you to hang a plow or attach a trailer because it can break it due to high load.

The worm gearbox is characterized by large friction losses and rapid wear of the brass gear, as well as heating and the formation of an output shaft play. In addition, this type of gearbox has an unpleasant self-braking effect. This means that while pushing the cultivator, its milling cutters or wheels will not turn, regardless of whether the clutch is engaged or not. To move you need special wheels or strong hands.

3. Gear reducer. This type of gearbox is the most reliable and designed for long-term operation. As a rule, they are equipped with powerful motocultivators. The downside of such a device is its price.

4. Gear - Chain Reducer. It is a kind of compromise between chain and gear reducers. It increases the operational properties of the cultivator while not greatly adding to its cost.

Clutch

On cultivators without fail there is a clutch, which is of three types:

• With clutch release (motorists will understand);
• Belt with an installed tension roller;
• Automatic centrifugal (exactly the same as on a chainsaw).

The clutch release is installed on professional models that are designed for intensive and continuous operation. It is the most preferred option. Clutch with a tension roller is installed on devices from the middle price category. Budget motor cultivators are equipped with a centrifugal option.

Reverse

It is good when the cultivator is equipped with reverse gear. This greatly facilitates its use. Light class motor cultivators, as a rule, do not have such functionality.

Number of gears

It is desirable that the cultivator has two or more gears. This makes the unit more versatile and convenient to use.

Recommendations for choosing a cultivator depending on the area of ​​the site

To understand how to choose an inexpensive and reliable motor cultivator, you should correctly set the goals that the equipment will fulfill, as well as determine the area of ​​the territory on which it will be used and its productivity. Productivity - the area of ​​the territory that was cultivated by a cultivator for a certain time period. This indicator depends on two main characteristics of the cultivator: engine power and working width. The higher these numbers, the higher the performance.

This parameter must be checked before purchase and take into account the dimensions of the site where the work will be carried out. It is important that there is enough power. But also it is not at all necessary to spend money on the most expensive models of equipment, if medium cultivators are enough for work.

Many gardeners who had to work with both simple and more powerful motor cultivators assure that the number of “horses” directly affects the life of the equipment. But is it really so?

Directly - no, but indirectly - yes. The thing is that often when working with weak motor cultivators, gardeners work at the limit of the device's capabilities. Accordingly, the main working elements fail more quickly. Moreover, if you constantly squeeze the maximum out of powerful equipment, it will also break. However, the advantage is that it is almost impossible to reach the ultimate capabilities of such motor cultivators. Thus, they always work in “comfortable” conditions and last much longer.

Land area	Recommended cutting width, (cm)	Recommended power, (hp)
Less than 15 acres →	60	3.5
from 16 to 60 acres →	80	4.0
from 61 to 99 ares →	90	5.0
from 1 to 2 ha →	90	6.0
from 2 to 5 ha →	90	9.0

Attachments

By default, the cultivator is equipped with cutters and wheels for transportation. This is more than enough for tillage. But if you set the task of technology globally, you need to take care of the purchase of attachments. The most popular are the following types of attachments.

Almost all elements are attached to the trailer part of the cultivator. Exceptions are milling cutters and lugs that are mounted on the cultivator shaft. Attachments are fixed using a bolt and nut, or studs and cotter pins. The first method is more reliable. But the second can be used if there are no tools at hand. All these additions will allow you to create a universal device that will take all the manual work with the soil upon itself.

Remember to use attachments that are specific to your model of cultivator.

Service

Mechanisms of motor cultivators in work and care are unpretentious. The only element that needs special maintenance is a gasoline engine (an electric one can be easily cleaned from dust and earth).

When using a gasoline cultivator, the following rules should be followed:

Rule 1 Every 100 hours worked, an oil change should be made.Engine oil must meet the following viscosity ratios: 10W-30 for summer operation. In late autumn, winter and early spring it is better to give preference to 10W-40.

Rule 2 If the equipment has been without work for a long time, for example, from the previous season, it is recommended to drain the remaining gasoline or fill in new fuel;

Rule 3 Periodically check the air filter. If necessary, it must be purged or replaced with a new one.

Rule 4 Gearboxes can be either collapsible or non-collapsible, i.e. not serviced. In collapsible gearboxes, it is necessary to monitor the lubrication.

Rule 5 The hitch requires periodic cleaning of dirt.

Now you know which motor cultivator is better to buy for a summer residence or your garden. Correctly determine the goals and objectives that you set for the technique. Calculate your budget and specifications. Then pick up a decent device is not difficult.

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