How to choose the right cultivator from a variety of options

To simplify the work in the garden, prudent craftsmen acquire all types of equipment. Carefully select agricultural machines for working with soil, as they are used not only for annual excavation, but also for loosening, harrowing, and weed extraction. In this case, a cultivator will be needed. But you need to consider how it will be used and how often. Compare the types and parameters of cultivators to choose the right device.

Types and comparison of cultivators

Now you can buy battery, diesel, electric or gasoline models. To make a choice, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of each type.

Petrol

Gasoline cultivators are well suited for areas without an electrical network, or if it is far away. Their main problem is difficult maintenance. Owners of cultivators with a gasoline engine will need to regularly change oil, monitor the condition of the spark plugs and air filter.

Many appliances require certain brands of fuel and oil. The unit emits a large number of fuel processing products that are harmful to the soil, crops and people. They have a lot of weight, so only a very strong and hardy person will cope with them. The cost of a gas cultivator will pay off if the area of ​​arable land is large.

Electric

For this type of apparatus, you will not have to spend additional costs on fueling and purchasing lubricants. Its weight is small, this gives an advantage over other species, because it can be used by any group of people, even older people.

It supports ease of storage, has a low price. It is suitable for small areas, because the wire limits its use for large fields and farms. The acquisition is advisable if the land area is about 10 acres.

Rechargeable

It works autonomously without a network cable and does not pollute the atmosphere. The cultivator has a lightweight body and produces less noise. But if you use it regularly, you will need frequent battery replacement. The disadvantage of this device is the inability to cultivate heavy clay soil.

To choose the right cultivator, you need to consider the parameters of the units: power, plowing depth, number of speeds and others.

engine's type

By the type of engine, cultivators are divided into battery, diesel, electric and gasoline.

1. The gasoline engine is powerful and designed to work in large areas. A feature is the operation of the cultivator on fuel.
2. Battery motors are the most compact and lightweight, powered by a built-in battery.
3. Cultivators with a diesel engine are designed only for plowing large areas. This mechanism is powerful and consumes even more resources than gasoline.
4. Electric motors are limited when moving around the site, are lightweight and easy to use. They are powered by electricity and do not adversely affect soil, crops and people.

Power

The productivity of the cultivator depends on its power. The larger it is, the larger the area can be processed per unit time. When processing large areas of land, a device with a small capacity may break.

The indicator is measured in horsepower, if the cultivator is gasoline, and in kW, if the devices are electric or battery.

1. For the cultivation of land in a greenhouse or in a small cottage up to 10 acres, 1.3 hp is suitable.and 0.5-2 kW.
2. For a plot of 10-20 acres, a device with high power is needed: 5-6 hp or 2-3 kW.
3. For plowing land on a farm of more than 20 acres, an aggregate with a capacity of 6-7 hp is required. or 4-5 kW.

When choosing a cultivator with high power, its mass increases, the processing process is complicated. No need to buy a device if you have a small area. A cultivator with high power will lead to additional cash costs and provide heavy use due to its size.

Processing width

The width of the land that the cultivator can process can be from 20 to 100 cm.

1. For plowing small beds, soil in a greenhouse or small garden plots, an aggregate with a tillage width of 20-40 cm is enough. With it, you can cultivate the earth in hard to reach places.
2. For plowing a large area on a farm or in the field, you will need a device with a coverage of 70-100 cm.

Plowing depth

The indicator indicates the depth of penetration of the unit into the soil. The distance is measured from 10 to 35 cm. Types of cultivators with different depths of penetration into the soil:

1. Devices with a parameter of up to 15 cm will prepare the soil for planting plants with small roots, for example, some types of flowers, strawberries, garlic, lettuce and others.
2. For crops with deep roots penetrating the soil, you will need a device with a plowing distance of 15-20 cm. It treats the soil deeply and can loosen hard soil. Potatoes, carrots, beets, etc. are suitable for this type of cultivator.
3. If the soil has not been cultivated for a long time and there are many weeds, equipment with a plowing depth of 30-35 cm is useful. It is also suitable for plants with powerful and strong rhizomes.

Number of speeds

Cultivators are classified by the number of speeds and direction of movement.

1. 1 speed, forward direction. Standard soil cultivation. If you move from the edge, you will need to pull out the unit manually using force. At each turn it is supposed to include reverse speed.
2. 2 speeds, direction forward and backward. Such cultivators are more maneuverable than single-speed, and easily loosen the edges of the beds. With it, you can easily clear the soil of weeds.
3. 4 speeds, direction forward and backward. It is best suited for working in fields where weeds and debris appear on a large scale. Provides easy handling and maneuverability. More advanced models have already been created with which you can form beds, cultivate land at low speeds and cut furrows.

Apparatus weight

The cultivator can weigh from 7 to 94 kg. If you are the owner of a small garden, then it will be enough to use the unit up to 20 kg. Heavy professional equipment suitable for large areas on fields and farms.

Pen type

The harder the cultivator, the greater the possibilities for adjusting the control handle. They can be bolted, the ability to change the height and tilt, fold, remove or rotate 180 °.

Cutter Speed

This indicator is measured in the number of revolutions made per unit of time.

1. The preferred speed for plowing a small area is 100-130 rpm.
2. Equipment from 130-180 rpm is suitable for soil treatment, in which the upper part of the soil is already plowed.
3. Cultivators with a cutter speed of up to 200 rpm are used to prepare the land before sowing. For fields, it is optimal to use an aggregate with a cutter speed of 200 rpm. He will pave the way for any kind of crop and rid of weeds before emergence.

Wheel diameter and position

Heavy cultivators have transport wheels; they can be removable or lifting. If you have the second option, you need to remove them before work. Otherwise, additional support will appear, due to which the cultivator will not be able to work at full power. The wheels are 30-50 cm in diameter.

What else needs to be considered to choose a motor cultivator for giving

1. Price.If you do not have enough money, do not buy cheap equipment. Its service life is short. You will get more problems than when plowing the earth with a shovel. It is better to postpone the purchase, borrow or buy a used cultivator. Beware of a few common outcomes when buying used devices: decrepit carburetors, worn bushings, and crushing couplings. And even if you buy a new one, find out what to do in the event of a breakdown.
2. Brand Well-known brands of cultivators have worked well. Engine firm Briggs & Stratton produces one of the best engines in the world.
3. Guarantee. Always check if the cultivator has a guarantee. If available, see what is included in it.
4. Soil type. Land with a high percentage of sand or clay during plowing behaves differently and has different requirements for growing crops. For example, too much soil cultivation with a lack of clay will contribute to the propagation of weeds and make it more vulnerable to prolonged rains.

Your gardening efforts should not entail hard, physical labor. Make it easier for yourself to work with a powerful garden cultivator, and you will want to visit your site more often. Read the instructions carefully before operating the machine. Wear long pants, boots, and safety glasses. Keep children and pets away from the cultivator.