Useful Tips
Experts recommend that you always follow a number of rules before making a purchase and after it. Their observance will help not only make the right choice, but also extend the life of the cultivator itself, and also allow you to enjoy its uninterrupted operation for a long time.
- It is necessary to study the offers of nearby shops in advance. It often happens that the cost for the same unit in neighboring retail outlets is significantly different. This buying approach will help you save money.
- You should carefully study the marking of the cultivator itself and information about its manufacturer. It is often possible to buy a fake of a lower quality than the original, and only at home will notice the difference of one letter from the original manufacturer. The same applies to the country of origin. If America is indicated, but made in China, then it is better to refuse the purchase.
- When buying a heavy cultivator with medium or maximum power, you should choose models that do not have cameras on wheels. These are best purchased separately. Otherwise, these cameras will have to be constantly pumped up and patched up.
- It is imperative to use oil, but not any, but only that which corresponds to the tactility of the engine of the acquired cultivator.
- The quality of all components should be carefully studied. If it raises the slightest doubt, then you should refuse to buy a cultivator. It is possible that there will be serious operational problems.
- With rare operation of gasoline units, immediately before use, they must be allowed to run at low speed for 5 minutes. So the cultivator will be able to warm up, and its service life will last.
- You should not save on the quality of the fuel from which the unit operates. Cheap oils and gasoline can deteriorate too quickly, and the cost of repairs will be higher than the price of quality components.
- If the cultivator is out of order, then for repair it should only be taken to a service center, especially in cases where the cause of the breakdown is unknown, and there is no experience in carrying out such repair work. Otherwise, you can simply break the unit, and the cause that led to the malfunction is never known.
Choice
For summer residents and gardeners, labor on land plots should bring joy, therefore, one cannot do without buying specialized equipment. Mini cultivators are offered in a wide range, so the choice of such a machine should be thoughtful. The main criteria that should be followed when buying an assistant are the dimensions of the territory and the quality of the soil.
Not every technique has the ability to cope with loamy soils, so when choosing a mini-cultivator, do not forget about the capabilities of its cutters.
It is also worth taking into account the width that the unit is capable of capturing. This indicator is different for each model, it has the ability to regulate
A small width is suitable if inter-row processing is planned, but if the entire area is dug up, then the indicator should be much higher.
We choose by purpose
In order not to be disappointed in the acquired cultivator and to really facilitate your work on the ground with its help, it is necessary to choose the right cultivator.
- The type of land is one of the key factors. The heavier the soil and the denser it is, the more powerful the machine must be. The same applies to cases when the device is purchased for virgin lands, or rather, for its processing.It is better to give preference to powerful and high-performance cultivators running on gasoline or diesel.
- Place for further use. The unit can be purchased for a summer residence, for a vegetable garden, for a garden, or even for a greenhouse. Therefore, for the treatment of summer cottages, lawns, small flower beds or land in greenhouses, it is worth purchasing compact cultivators that run from a battery or an electrical network and have a low weight and medium or low power.
About the device
With such a large assortment, it is very difficult to choose the most reliable and popular motor cultivators, however, following this article, you will not have any difficulties in this matter.
Not many people know how a walk-behind tractor differs from a cultivator. The cultivator is such a device that helps you to process the soil efficiently, remove weeds, form beds and much more.
They are very easy to manage, and in addition they are highly effective in their business. A big plus of the cultivator is that it saves your health, nerves, time and energy. These units are used in the cultivation of vegetables, berries, potatoes and so on.
Cultivator
The cultivator perfectly replaces the shovel, while it works wonderfully on the soil, makes it soft, and also removes weeds, which is a significant plus. Unfortunately, this technique costs a lot of money.
Depending on the size of your future cultivator, you will be able to cultivate hard-to-reach areas of land that do not lend themselves to easy cultivation, places between bushes, flower beds, inaccessible places in greenhouses, and so on.
Also, if you buy a high-quality electric cultivator, manual, for a vegetable garden for cultivating the land, you do not have to worry that it can break down easily and quickly.
For more information about the work of the cultivator, see the video:
In addition, cultivators have various additional features to help you achieve the perfect garden or vegetable garden.
It should be noted that the cultivator is also used to level, fertilize the soil and dig out the crop. This unit is very functional, and if you have a summer cottage, then it will definitely come in handy. It is unambiguous that the cultivator is smaller than the same walk-behind tractor.
Cultivator sizes vary from eight to forty-five kilograms
You should definitely pay attention to this.
He also digs the soil twenty-five to thirty centimeters. I mean, control of such a machine will not greatly complicate you.
To choose a cultivator, you need to know what types of hand cultivators exist in general.
Cultivators are divided into three types: light, medium and heavy cultivators.
A light cultivator is one that plows no more than thirteen acres. The downside is that such cultivators will not plow deep land. They can plow no more than twenty centimeters. The plus is that they are not very heavy, and you can easily carry them wherever you want.
The average cultivator will be able to plow a maximum of fifty acres. Such a machine is both heavier and more difficult to carry (for example, a viking cultivator).
A heavy cultivator is the most suitable quality option. It weighs over ninety-five kilograms. I would like to note that it has a lot of power, and with this unit you can use additional equipment.
Additional recommendations
A common mistake made by inexperienced operators is irrational storage. There is no need to be lazy to drain the fuel again, especially if the unit will not work for a long time. In addition to these two points that require attention, the device will not be difficult to maintain.
It is necessary to wash the water-purifying filters after each use - this is probably all the work on the maintenance of the gasoline engine, and the electric does not have any maintenance at all.
One point that the operating recommendations prescribe is to keep the outer surfaces and ventilation openings clean.
How to choose
When choosing a battery cultivator, it is important to understand what such a unit is, how it works and works, and what characteristics it has. All models of such equipment are equipped with two cutters with sickle blades
These elements loosen the soil. Depending on the power of the power plant, the depth and efficiency of loosening varies from 30 to 500 and more millimeters.
Country models are characterized by many important advantages. Among them:
- No complexity in management, due to the simplicity of the design. Unlike diesel or gasoline powered models, electric cultivators are made up of three main parts: an engine, a control unit and a gearbox. This means that both a man and a woman can control them. In addition, electric cultivators do not need to be looked after much. The only thing that needs to be done after the work is to clean the blades of soil residues and hide the cable.
- Small size and weight.
- Democratic cost.
The device is also useful in that it can be used in closed rooms, such as greenhouses or greenhouses, due to the absence of harmful emissions and exhaust gases during operation.
The device is equipped with a long control handle, so during operation the summer resident does not have to strain his back and bend.
But, before choosing an electric cultivator, it is important to weigh the negative aspects, because, in addition to the advantages, such units also have disadvantages. Customer reviews often emphasize that an electric cultivator is much worse than gasoline models in terms of autonomy, since it cannot be used in places where there is no access to electricity, and the radius of operation is limited by the length of the cord.
Choosing an electric cultivator for a summer residence, you need to take into account the following criteria:
- Dimensions of the treated area. Light models of cultivators are suitable for work on an area of up to 3 acres. More powerful units process up to 15 acres.
- Soil type. If you want to purchase an affordable cultivator with low productivity, you need to take into account that it can handle soft or pre-plowed soils. As the hardness of the substrate increases, you will have to choose more powerful cultivators.
- Price. If one of the key selection criteria is the cost of the unit, then it is better to stop at the available models with limited functionality.
- Dimensions and maneuverability. The cultivators from the group of light devices are characterized by their compact size and ease of operation. A similar feature should appeal to novice summer residents who buy the first device for processing a vegetable garden.
- Cutter width. Advanced models are equipped with wide cutters that can make beds up to 50 cm wide. For comparison, the width of the beds from light units is only 25 cm. Models with collapsible cutters are also available for sale - they can be changed by adjusting the width.
- Reducer type. A gearbox is a structure that transfers movement from the drive to the cutters. Electric models are equipped with worm or chain gears. The first type is characterized by an affordable price and is suitable for lightweight units. The second is more reliable and faster to repair in case of malfunctions.
The best electric cultivators
Electric models are characterized by environmental friendliness, ease of maintenance and operation, small weight and dimensions, low technical characteristics. At the same time, they can hardly be called mobile, since the radius of the mechanism depends on the location of the power supply point.This problem is successfully solved by purchasing battery models, which today practically do not lag behind their network counterparts in terms of technical characteristics. The power of electric cultivators usually does not exceed 3 kW.
Tarpan 07-2.2
95%
buyers recommend this product
The domestic model in 2018 broke all records in popularity among middle-class electric cultivators. The engine power of 2.2 kW is sufficient for processing light soils on an area of up to 20 acres.
The features of this unit are: quick disassembly for transportation, increased tillage width up to 70 cm and the possibility of using additional attachments to expand the functionality. The model has an impressive weight (45 kg) - thanks to this, you do not have to make additional efforts to plow the soil.
Advantages:
- High power.
- Complete cutters of excellent quality.
- Quite good loosening depth (20 cm.)
- Good equipment (4 self-sharpening cutters).
- Possibility to adjust the height of the handle.
- Affordable cost.
Disadvantages:
- Lack of checkpoint.
- No adjustable cord release.
This model will be a great helper at any summer cottage, provided that there is a point of connection to the mains.
Wortex RC 4016
93%
buyers recommend this product
Wortex RC 4016 is a novelty in the line of lightweight single-speed electric cultivators designed for difficult work. Powerful 2.18 hp engine allows you to dig various types of soil to a depth of 22 cm, capturing a strip 40 cm wide. This model is lightweight and well thought-out design: there is a foldable handle, a holder for the power cord, operator protection.
Advantages:
- High power.
- Excellent equipment (6 cutters, plastic wheels).
- Long period of work without overheating.
- Convenient management.
- Undemanding to service.
Disadvantages:
- Dependence on the quality of the voltage in the network.
- Low weight, requiring operator effort when loosening sticky soils.
According to user reviews, today it is the best electric cultivator in terms of price-quality-power ratio. This is suitable for processing a summer cottage, garden and vegetable garden.
Champion EC 1400
91%
buyers recommend this product
An inexpensive and reliable electric mini-cultivator designed for loosening and removing weeds on light soils. The power of the 1.4 kW electric motor is quite enough for plowing previously treated soils. Quiet operation, no exhaust gases, maneuverability and small weight and dimensions allow the model to be used for weed control and soil aeration in greenhouses and greenhouses.
Advantages:
- Quite good indicators of the width and depth of plowing (40 and 21 cm, respectively).
- Compact design.
- Easy to transport due to its low weight of 11 kg.
- The presence of a cable holder.
- Low cost.
Disadvantages:
- Low power.
- Do not work in high humidity conditions.
Champion EC 1400 is perfect for plowing previously cultivated soils in summer cottages.
Caiman Turbo 1000
89%
buyers recommend this product
The compact and lightweight rechargeable model does an excellent job in the garden, vegetable garden and in the confined space of closed ground. The power of a kilowatt engine is enough to loosen a strip of soil 47 cm wide to a depth of 22 cm. Depending on the load, the battery charge is enough for the device to work properly for 1 hour.
Advantages:
- Small weight and size indicators.
- Possibility of tincture for the growth of the owner.
- Autonomy.
- The presence of the "Turbo" mode for the processing of dense soils.
Disadvantages:
- Low power for the use of additional attachments.
- High price.
The Caiman Turbo is ideal for cultivating the soil in greenhouses, greenhouses and greenhouses where there is no power connection.
Types of manual cultivators
The use of a manual cultivator is necessary if you need to cultivate flower beds, greenhouses, alpine slides, areas between bushes and trees in the country. By design, the device is for the garden and for indoor plants. Depending on the design features, the following options are distinguished:
- rotary;
- ripper;
- root remover;
- potato digger;
- flat cutter.
Hand cultivator at work
Manual cultivators for the garden have many advantages. These include:
- ease of use;
- affordable cost;
- small dimensions;
- light weight;
- no need for maintenance, i.e. lubrication, refueling;
- the accuracy of cutting weeds;
- the ability to process hard-to-reach and delicate places in the country;
- a wide range of work performed;
- a higher level of safety compared to motor and electrical appliances.
Manual units for giving and disadvantages are not without. Their disadvantages are:
- low productivity, so they are not suitable for tasks in large areas;
- obsolescence in comparison with modern self-propelled units;
- the need to replace discs in rotary structures;
- low efficiency on hard soils, virgin soil;
- the need to use physical force, so a lot of work may be required to process the site.
Rotary
Rotary cultivator
In another way, such a soil cultivator is called a star ripper. It is powered by a small sprocket shaft. The soil is grasped by the sharp teeth of the cutting mechanism, after which it is lifted and turned inside out. So at the same time, digging and weeding occurs. Additionally, the cultivator is supplied with an adjustable handle. The star-shaped design is convenient for handling in hard-to-reach places. Often the kit includes a weed knife attachment.
Ripper
Cultivator-ripper
This version of the hand cultivator is devoid of any mechanisms. The end of the fixture is supplemented with 3-5 teeth with flat plates. They can cut deep into the soil. To loosen the soil, you need to pull the cultivator towards you. If you lower the structure with force, you can break through the dense crust that appears after heavy rainfall or ramming. The ripper can be a regular size for a summer cottage or a miniature with a short handle for indoor plants.
Root remover
Horse cultivator
It looks like a pole with spirally curved and elongated fingers-teeth at the end. With such a cultivator, you can point and quickly remove the roots of weeds and other unnecessary plants on the site. It is also suitable for loosening the soil, digging holes for seedlings in it. Moreover, this type of adaptation will not damage the structure of the soil, mixing the fertile composition. With its help, you can give the site a beautiful and well-groomed look.
Potato digger
Potato digger
Traditionally, villagers use a pitchfork to dig up potatoes. A slight modification to their design turns such a tool into a simple but convenient hand-held cultivator. His pitchfork is bent at an angle of 30-50 degrees to the ground, and instead of a handle, a metal pipe with a horizontal handle is used. The potatoes are dug out by sticking the cultivator into the soil near the bush, turning around the axis and tilting the handle until the potatoes are removed.
Flat cutter
Flat cutter manual
With the help of such a cultivator, you can cut the roots of weeds and loosen them. Such a device does not turn the top layer, due to which the structure of the soil is not disturbed, but the yield increases. A manual plane cutter is a series of sharpened flat knives or lances, which are fixed to vertical rods made of reinforcement. When moving, peaks or knives can go to a depth of 10-20 cm, cutting off the upper layer.