How to choose an inexpensive and reliable cultivator for a summer residence?
A cultivator means a tool for cultivating the soil, this concept includes all diggers and rippers. How to choose a cultivator depends on the front of work and the preferences of the owners to engage in physical labor, use equipment with an electric or gasoline engine. The more complex and functional the equipment, the more expensive it is.
Technical characteristics of the offered equipment
If you buy a motor-cultivator, and you are offered it complete with attachments, refuse. Not the fact that you will need all the awnings, but their cost is included in the total price.
But you need to buy the lubricant recommended in the instructions and a belt, if it is included in the package.
In specialized stores and markets are presented:
- Light cultivators are characterized by low weight, low grip and a loosening depth of no more than 20 cm. Basically, small nimble helpers are indispensable for preparing the soil in the greenhouse, in flower beds and beds. It's fashionable now to lead Meatlider vegetable garden, with a bed width of 45 cm and a meter spacing. The most convenient tool for this technology is the light cultivator. The drive can be electric or use gasoline two-stroke models.
- Small cultivators can already process 6-10 acres. They plow deeper and can grip up to 40 cm in one pass. There are electric models, they are lighter and cheaper than gasoline ones. Network devices need an extension cord and a stable voltage, which is not always the case in summer cottages. At the slightest dampness, it is impossible to work with an electric cultivator, it is dangerous. The weight of these models is up to 15 kg.
- Average models of cultivators are no longer capable of female hands. The units can work in large gardens, effectively and deeply loosen the soil. Other tools can be used with them. Products weigh 15-48 kg, power 2.5-5.0 liters. with., in a word, a serious technique for men's hands.
Of the three options, the second is the most suitable for processing 6 acres. The assistant is good and it will not be difficult to take it away for storage. But apart from spring tillage and weeding, there is nothing else to expect from it. If the site has a difficult terrain, then the light model will be the best. The choice of cultivator for the price is not great:
- Sturm series GK3610 electric, weighing 6.0 kg, the price is a little over 5 thousand rubles;
- "Countryman" series LE1300 electric, weighs 13.2 kg, costs about 9 thousand rubles.
Somewhat more expensive, well-known and reliable models in demand - Champion, MTD, Texas, DDE, Huter, Elitech. They cost more than 12 thousand rubles.
Model selection according to technical characteristics
All cultivators have one structure - a power unit, transmission, working mechanism, control knob.
The lightest mechanisms work on cultural grounds, rather a toy in women's hands. Models are considered disposable, non-repairable. Therefore, which cultivator to choose depends on the addition of all the pros and cons.
Gasoline or electric drive of the cultivator to choose, how to decide?
The network tool is always lighter and cheaper than its gasoline brothers.
There are no powerful models. Raising the ground to a depth of 25 cm with a small grip with such a device is handy. Networked machines operate quietly and without exhaust, without causing disturbance to others. Such a cultivator is good for giving, but:
- you can't work in wet weather;
- it is necessary to constantly monitor the location of the cord;
- it is necessary to use a special extension cord with a reliable connector.
How to choose petrol cultivator, stop at 2 or 4 bars? The two-stroke engine runs on a mixture of gasoline and a special oil. It is very noisy and consumes 30% more fuel than a 4-stroke. But it is lighter and much more powerful if the dimensions are the same. A two-stroke has a lower motor resource, but it still works more intensively. It makes no sense to repair a two-stroke internal combustion engine, it's cheaper to buy a new one.
The four-stroke motor is a classic. These engines are installed on all modern models, but they are more expensive. Motors have a long service life, they hardly heat up during operation, and the combustion of fuel in them is fuller, the emission is cleaner.
Cultivators with a four-stroke engine always have good power and weigh about 50 kg.
How to choose a cultivator for giving according to the transmission device? This concept includes the method of transferring the rotation of the motor shaft to the gearbox and the type of gearbox. The reducer is designed to reduce the speed taken from the engine. For example, the engine develops 3600 rpm, the cutter is fed 20 times less.
When the motor shaft is located horizontally, a chain reducer is used. If the gearbox is split, it is not difficult to repair it yourself. Usually on low-power cultivators there is a worm gear. It is compact, mounted on a vertically positioned engine crankshaft. During operation, the reducer experiences friction, the gap between the worm and the gear rapidly increases, and backlash appears. The reducer is installed on low power cultivators.
There are also gear and gear-chain reducers, but they are not used in low-power technology.
Before using the cultivator, read the instructions, understand the basic requirements for caring for the tool and follow them. The most inexpensive model in caring hands will last a long time.
The clutch is designed to transmit torque to the working mechanism. Squeeze the clutch - start plowing. Clutches on low-strength models are set to automatic centrifugal. On cultivators of medium power, a belt is used with a tension roller.
An important parameter for comfortable work on the cultivator is the presence of reverse or reverse. It allows not by the strength of muscles, in reverse to rescue a buried cultivator from the ground. On small models there is always only one speed.
That's all you need to know first when choosing a mate. In the course of mastering the cultivator, use the operating instructions.