All about tractor cultivators

Description of the cultivator

The cultivator is a special garden tool. The tool prepares the soil for sowing and makes harvesting easier. The main tasks that the cultivator does:

• Plowing;
• Loosening the earth;
• Cutting of furrows;
• Digging up the crop;
• Hilling;
• Possibility of leveling the plot with a cultivator;
• Weed root pruning, lawn treatment;
• Harrowing.

Cultivators are divided into 2 categories: automatic (motor-cultivators) and manual. Automatic cultivators are diesel and electric. The choice of tool depends on the type of work. Each species has several advantages.

Cultivator

Hand cultivators are designed for loosening the soil in hard-to-reach places. They are used in greenhouses, in small beds, flower beds. A mechanical cultivator gently cultivates the soil without damaging the plant. Advantages:

• Convenient operation;
• Inexpensive;
• Mobility;
• Takes up little space, compact;
• Does not need service maintenance.

The device is considered one of the simplest. It makes manual work easier, saves time, but it will take a lot of effort from the gardener to work with the tool to get a good result. Disadvantages of a manual cultivator for working in the country:

• Possibility of using in a small area;
• A cultivator for virgin lands, clayey lands will not work;
• Has low performance.

There is a large selection of light and mobile electric cultivators on the market. Advantages of universal rotary cultivators:

• Compact models;
• Performance and power are higher relative to manual fixtures;
• Powered by an electrical network, does not harm the environment;
• Easy to use and maintain tool;
• The constructions are light, even women can work with them.

Hand cultivator

Electric cultivators have a number of disadvantages:

Adaptation without attachments;
The need to purchase a long carrier, since the tool is powered by the mains;
The electric cord sometimes interferes when moving, carrying the cultivator; if you carelessly handle, you can hook the connected cord with the blades of the tool;
The loosening depth is small.

The gasoline cultivator is considered the most versatile garden tool. Advantages:

• Possibility of processing a large area of ​​land;
• Adjusting the depth of soil cultivation;
• Powerful unit;
• There are additional attachments;
• It is convenient to move around the site with a cultivator, a self-propelled unit.

On a note. The petrol cultivator needs to be refueled as needed. The equipment is heavy and needs regular maintenance.

By the type of built-in engine, there are cordless cultivators. The main advantages of such units are regardless of power supply (electricity or gasoline) and mobility. After a full charge, they can work autonomously for a long time.

Which cultivator to choose depends on the purpose of use. If the plot is small and the soil is loose, you can purchase a hand cultivator. For convenient processing of a large area of ​​land, a motor cultivator is suitable. A cultivator for a walk-behind tractor can be assembled independently, additionally using the necessary devices.

How to choose?

When the question is which cultivator to choose, you should trust the advice of professionals.

• When choosing a model with an electric motor, you should know that these models practically do not need special care, refueling and lubrication. They are small in size, compact, thanks to which they cope with the tasks set in small areas.Electric cultivators are safe to use, equipped with protection against electric shock and fire.
• Gasoline cultivators are a more complex mechanism, and you need to have basic skills working with them. Therefore, before purchasing a mechanism, you should read the instructions, study the rules of operation and maintenance. The quality and service life of a gasoline cultivator depends on the quality of the fuel, timely and competent service. Two-stroke cultivators are less expensive than their 4-stroke "siblings", but consume a lot more gasoline.

• It should be borne in mind that the characteristics in the passport indicate the depth of cultivation with the condition of working on medium soils. In the case of clay formations, these data are subject to change.
• Soil coverage is considered one of the most important characteristics. So, the larger it is, the better for large land areas. In the case of small land plots, cultivators with a narrow grip are suitable. The width of the correct size is achieved by the correct installation of the cutters.
• The power of the unit affects its performance. The more powerful the engine, the more work can be done. This indicator affects the cost of the device.
• Some types of cultivators have additional functions: weeding, lawn edging, sweeping brushes, rakes and other equipment. Their presence significantly expands the functions of the unit.

When choosing one or another cultivator, two main indicators should be taken into account: energy intensity and productivity. The efficiency is calculated from the indicators of the treated soil surface per unit of time, which depend on the power and width of the cutters. The price of a cultivator is made up of its power. Inexpensive cultivators are more suitable for summer cottages.

How to setup?

Installation of wheels

Before the start of the summer season, you will need to set up a walk-behind tractor for plowing. Before plowing, rubber wheels must be replaced with metal lug wheels. This must be done so that the unit does not slip during excavation work. The choice of wheels should be taken seriously, otherwise it will not work to plow the soil compacted after winter.

Firstly, their diameter must be at least 55 cm, and secondly, the width of the wheel is selected within 20 cm, otherwise, if the wheels are too narrow, the walk-behind tractor will lose stability and it will swing in different directions. If the diameter is too small, the gearbox will catch on the ground and may become unusable, and it, as you know, is the "heart" of the walk-behind tractor.

For wheels, a monolithic rim is suitable so that the earth does not clog in the lugs. Work with wheels is carried out by placing the walk-behind tractor on special stands. The height of the hill directly depends on the depth of the future plowing: for working with ordinary soil - 20 cm, with frozen soil - 25 cm.

Installing the plow

Thanks to the couplings (fasteners), the plow is mounted to the walk-behind tractor. This work is best done with an assistant, as it will require some effort and skill. First, the hitch is mounted on the walk-behind tractor, then connected to the plow mount with steel pins. The connection should not be installed tightly, a slight horizontal movement is necessary, otherwise, when processing the soil, the walk-behind tractor will "move" to the sides due to the unevenness of the soil.

After basic installation, the plow needs to be adjusted. You will have to tinker with the adjustment - the quality of plowing depends on it. The plows are tilted using the mountings so that the heel is horizontal to the ground. The adjusted walk-behind tractor is placed on the ground and the steering wheel is checked - it should be in the area of ​​the plowman's belt.

It remains to check whether the unit is ready for earthwork. It is necessary to make several test furrows with depth measurement, check the quality of the soil dump

Pay attention to the strip between furrows - it should not be too wide (no more than 10 cm) or crossed by a plow

Working bodies of our own production

It is made of special spring steel, heat treated and hardened, which guarantees durability and reliability in operation. Installed on a cultivator in 3 rows (standard). In combination with the duckfoot share, it guarantees optimal and very high-quality shallow loosening to a depth of 4 to 8 cm. Does not clog and maintains stable working depth in fields not clogged with plant and crop residues.

Pointed share 150 mm wide

It is made of special steel, heat treated and hardened.

The special sharpening of the cutting edge guarantees a complete cut of weeds.

The 150 mm wide pointed share works the soil better and guarantees mutual overlap between the rows of working bodies up to 25 mm.

Plane-tooth leveler

Levels the field surface, removes lumpiness and comb out weeds in the white thread stage.

It is used with a small amount of weeds.

Single Rotor Roller

The roller rotates on self-aligning bearings housed in a dustproof housing.

The rotary bar roller serves for leveling the surface of the field after loosening working bodies, breaking soil lumps and subsurface packing at the sowing depth, which allows you to retain moisture. Lumps of soil are crushed by the roller bars or crushed, falling into the roller. The diameter of the roller was selected by complex mathematical calculations and tested in practice. It prevents the roller rods from slipping on soil lumps and the formation of a soil shaft in front of you. Rolls the surface of the field, covering it with a mulch layer, which provides optimal heat-moisture-air conditions. All this contributes to earlier emergence and the formation of secondary roots.

It can be made in double version.

Spring shock absorber

Fits on a slatted leveler and on a single rotor roller. Designed to adjust the working depth and the depth of the subsurface consolidation.

Support wheels made of 10-layer rubber

Designed for precise adjustment of the working depth and maintaining it during the cultivator operation. This model is equipped with single and double support wheels.

installed on the outer modules of the cultivator.

Twin wheels

They are installed on all cultivator modules, except for the extreme ones, to reduce the pressure on the soil and maintain the specified tillage depth on loose soils, they allow you to work in autumn on autumn plowing.

Layout of working bodies

"Spring"

For work on spring plowing, for treating vapors

Spring tine with a height of 400 mm with a section of 45x10 mm, a reversible share, 3 rows of working bodies located on modular frames, a slat-tooth leveler and a rotary roller, double support wheels (single on the outer modules)

Layout of working bodies

"Beetroot"

To prepare the soil for sowing particularly precise crops

Reinforced spring tine with a height of 400 mm with a section of 45x10 mm, a duckfoot share, 3 rows of working bodies are located on modular frames, a slat-tooth leveler, a double rotor roller, double support wheels (single on the outer modules)

Layout of working bodies

"Harvest"

It is used when the soil is contaminated with plant residues, the distance between the racks is increased.

Reinforced spring rack with a height of 400 mm with a section of 45x10 mm, a lancet or reversible share, 4 rows of working bodies located on modular frames and a rotary roller, double support wheels (single on the outer modules)

Layout of working bodies

"High-speed"

For work with imported tractors of high power.

Reinforced spring tine with a height of 400 mm with a section of 45x10 mm, a duckfoot share, 4 rows of working bodies located on modular frames, a slat-tooth leveler, a double rotor roller, double support wheels (single on the outer modules)

Layout of working bodies

"Steam"

For the treatment of clean vapors that are not clogged with plant residues, the distance between the tines is reduced.

Reinforced spring rack with a height of 400 mm with a section of 45x10 mm, a duckfoot share, 4 rows of working bodies located on modular frames, a rotary roller, double support wheels (single on the outer modules)

Proper preparation for work

Before starting to plow the garden, the operator must prepare the equipment.

This will require:

check the standard design of the cultivator, inspect its mountings and body, check the operability of all moving mechanisms, as well as the pressure in the pneumatic wheels, if they are provided in the package

In addition, it is important to check the air filter in a timely manner, since if it is heavily clogged, it will not be able to clean the air. As a result, dust and even small insects will enter the fuel, which will block the fuel channels and impair the operation of the power unit;
adjust the height of the handles of the cultivator as it will be convenient for the user;
fill the fuel tank with fresh fuel, and also check the presence and condition of grease in the transmission and gearbox;
prepare the site before plowing: remove large stones, debris, thick tall weed stalks from it.

For more efficient plowing of areas with soft loose soil or processing of an area with a large number of weeds, instead of standard pneumatic wheels, you will need to install lugs on the cultivator.

This is done in the following sequence:

1. First you need to dismantle the wheels and hubs;
2. Instead of the removed hubs, it is necessary to install analogs of greater length. They are connected to the factory shaft using special studs;
3. After that, the lugs themselves must be installed on the cultivator.

The correct setting of the plowing depth plays an important role in the preparation of the equipment. As a rule, it is 10-25 cm. Most often, experienced users cultivate their gardens to a minimum depth of 10 cm. Immediately after that, the area with a loose topsoil will need to be plowed again, setting a depth of 25 cm.

The best virgin cultivators: Champion cultivators

If you are planning to buy a small hand-held cultivator, then you can not even count on successful cultivation of virgin lands. In order to cope with stale soils, a more serious device is required. And one of the companies that thought it was ready to cope with this difficult task is Champion.

Cultivator CHAMPION BC 6612H, 3.6 kW

Speaking about the model range of this company's equipment, we can say that the devices are very diverse. So, there are units designed for use in areas of different areas: from greenhouses to entire fields. Depending on the model, the package may include from 4 to 6 milling cutters, and the engine power can vary between 3.5-10 hp.

Among the advantages of using cultivators of this brand are:

• high level of maneuverability, lightness and ease of management;
• economical fuel consumption due to a large resource;
• engine power always corresponds to the purpose of the model, which increases the efficiency of the device;
• the price for the products of this company is quite affordable.

Among the shortcomings, users have repeatedly noted poor-quality assembly. In this regard, before turning on the device for the first time, it is strongly recommended to inspect and check all components.Also, some forums claim that certain models have too small protective discs, which leads to the ground flying out during operation.

Care and maintenance of the Champion cultivators is not particularly difficult, provided that you have read the instructions that come with the device. A detailed description will allow you to independently diagnose and eliminate most of the most common minor malfunctions that occur during operation.

Motor-cultivator Champion BC 5511 with a fuel tank volume of 3.6 l

In cases where self-repair of the cultivator is not possible or you need to replace any spare part, you can contact the service center, where they will certainly help you solve the problem.

Review of the most popular cultivators Champion

Wanting to buy the most reliable and popular cultivator, you should undoubtedly turn your attention to two models that occupy leading positions, and have been considered bestsellers for quite a long time. Slightly different in terms of power, but at the same time seriously differing in weight, they compete with each other:

If the Champion BC5602 can still be counted among mini-cultivators for beds, then the BC8713 belongs exclusively to the devices of the middle category. Both models are equipped with foldable handles for convenient transport in the machine. In addition, attachments for cultivators can seriously expand their capabilities.

Design

In the device of the cultivator, there are several assembly units, which can be considered the main ones:

• frame or frame on which all other elements are attached;
• steering column;
• working bodies;
• a system responsible for fastening discs, knives;
• wheels, which can be both rubber and lugs made of metal;
• engine;
• reducer;
• mechanisms responsible for starting the cultivator and changing operating modes;
• organs responsible for adjusting the immersion depth.

The most used working bodies are:

• loosening paws;
• cutters;
• disks;
• racks that can be spring-loaded or rigid.

Varieties

• Solid cultivator. It is also called pre-sowing or steam. Treated pairs are sown with seeds next year. The cultivator loosens at high speed thanks to the adjustable depth cultivation.
• A row cultivator is needed to treat crops from weeds and for hilling. The working elements are arranged in such a way that they only fall between the rows of plants without damaging them. To protect the plantings, there is an additional attachment. Such an inter-row cultivator for a mini-tractor can be conveniently adjusted to the needs of the gardener.

There are also other manufacturers' developments.

A spring cultivator can be used on soils with different characteristics. The product is suitable for slightly stony and water-eroded areas. The cultivator is effective for cultivating the land after harvest. Spring struts are complemented by a reinforced frame, which not only increases labor productivity, but also saves fuel and lubricants. Tilling the soil with a spring cultivator helps to reduce the overheating of the soil in summer, which affects its quality.

The three-furrow cultivator-hiller combines the functions of a row-crop and a continuous unit. The product is suitable for low-power tractors, it is successfully used in the cultivation of potatoes, strawberries, corn and other crops. The device forms beds up to 60 cm high and 62 to 75 cm wide.

A milling cutter is an attachment for a cultivator that allows you to perform many agricultural operations in one go. Cutters differ in the shape of the knives, as well as in their design. Standard guns are saber-shaped.

The knife is a strip curved at the ends. The four cutting objects are made in the form of a block, which is connected by bolts. The number of units that can be installed on a machine is related to the power and weight of the equipment.