The owners of suburban areas are well aware of how important it is to properly prepare the soil for the sowing season. The volume of the future harvest, as well as its fertility and agronomic properties for subsequent years, directly depend on the quality of land cultivation. It remains only to decide how exactly the work activities will be carried out. Of course, the most affordable way is to manually walk over the entire area with a shovel. But if we are talking about a large area, then this option will not suit everyone. A gasoline mini-cultivator capable of performing the functions of plowing, weeding, loosening, etc. will help in this matter.
What is a mini cultivator?
This is a manual unit provided with a power plant, controls and rotating cutters. Designs may vary, but the main feature of mini-cultivators is their modest dimensions. The entire market of cultivators is divided into three groups - light models, medium and heavy ones. Of course, in addition to weight and dimensions, belonging to one category or another will also determine working qualities.
In this case, light mini-cultivators are considered, to the pluseswhich include ease of maneuvering and movement. A small technical tool can weigh from 10 to 20 on average. It can be a very light machine, suitable for weeding, and a 20 kg all-rounder with full rigging in the form of grouser and plows.
And yet, it is not worth placing special hopes on the working capacity of such cultivators. They are optimally suited for simple tasks of cultivating the land in a greenhouse, flower bed, small gardens, etc. Their main advantage in terms of operation, perhaps, will lie precisely in the physical ergonomics of handling. If you need a mini gasoline cultivator for women with an easy start, then you should look for it in this category of models weighing from 10 to 20 kg. Although there are also 6-8-kilogram models. As for the easy start, it also corresponds to the concept of convenient control - with this function, the machine starts work on a soft and smooth start without jerks and strong vibrations.
Features of petrol models
The type of food is a fundamental characteristic in the choice, since a lot also depends on it in terms of technical and operational properties. To begin with, it should be noted that gasoline engines do not fit into the same concept of light cultivators. By itself, the gasoline engine makes the structure heavier, making it more massive. Against this background, of course, electric and battery models are much more attractive, on which most manufacturers rely. For example, noiselessness, relative autonomy, environmental friendliness and lightness -quite significant characteristics for which the battery mini-cultivator is valued.
The gasoline unit, however, has many of its own, no less significant advantages. Among them, it is enough to highlight higher power, complete independence from the outlet, reliability and the ability to equip with a wide range of attachments. Speaking of independence in operating conditions at a summer cottage - often this type of power supply becomes the only possible one. It could compete with battery models, but only if electricity was available. If we are talking about a long work process away from home, then there is simply no alternative to gasoline cars.
But there are many subclasses in the segment of gasoline models. The most significant difference is in the type of engine. There are 2 and 4 stroke machines on the market. The first in their abilities correspond to powerful (for their class) electric cultivators, and the second are close to the initial level of heavy units. The same difference will ultimately determine how the mini-cultivator will be serviced. A 4-stroke gasoline engine implies separate filling of fuel and oil in two tanks, which partly determines its high power potential during operation. 2-stroke models mix oil and gasoline in one container.
Specifications
Evaluate the working qualities of the cultivator should be in many ways. You should start with weight. It has already been said that light modelshave a mass in the average range of 10-20 kg. But there is also a way out of these limits - it is enough to note the same 8-kilogram models. There are also mini-aggregates weighing 30 kg. For comparison, medium and heavy machines have a mass of 50-60 kg.
The following are characteristics that determine the processing capabilities of the target area. Here it is necessary to note the width of coverage by the working bodies and the depth. The grip can vary in width from 20 to 40 cm. In some cases, this value is adjustable. In terms of processing depth, mini-cultivators can reach 25 cm, and this is almost a record value for them, which is a weak point of this class as such. Both a small mass and modest power do not allow such models to provide a depth of more than 30 cm, which in itself limits the operation of a mini-cultivator. The gasoline engine, for all its power, is able to provide fast and high travel speeds with quality processing, but it will not affect the maximum level of immersion of the cutter in any way.
True, this is not the task of such machines. The lightweight cultivator focuses primarily on maneuverability and work in hard-to-reach areas. Therefore, the number of speeds will be of greater importance. As a rule, even budget lightweight units are provided with two forward speeds and one reverse.
Unit performance
Power potential deserves special attention. An accurate calculation of power will help you choose the best model for working withspecific type of soil. As already noted, light cultivators are not suitable for servicing large areas, but even if we are talking about a modest site with hard soil, then you cannot ignore the engine life indicators.
The entry level in this class is a two-stroke gasoline unit with a power potential of about 1.6 kW. With the help of such models, the farmer can perform operations such as weeding, surface plowing, weed removal, etc. The middle class is a gasoline mini-cultivator, the output of which is 4-4.5 kW. Such models are already suitable for full-fledged plowing of plots of 4-6 acres.
If, however, maintenance of hard ground is required, then a powerful 4-stroke engine up to 6.6 kW is indispensable. The advantages of this solution include not only high-quality processing of problem soil on areas of more than 6 acres, but also expanded capabilities for working with attachments. As for the latter, high power may be enough to install devices capable of covering 100 cm strips. Of course, the cultivation depth will be low, but this is enough for planting seeds.
Attachments
Already in the basic configuration, each mini-cultivator is supplied with cutters. Small framed platforms can be equipped with several cutters to remove weeds and loosen the soil. Sometimes users decide to replace the standard nozzle with a more durable andproductive.
Specialists recommend purchasing hardened metal cutters that can be used in working with heavy soil. Depending on the design of such nozzles, you can use a gasoline mini-cultivator to weed row spacing, gently removing unwanted vegetation. Well-sharpened milling cutters, even with small sizes, can also cope with the grinding of clay soil.
Another solution for light cultivators is the hiller. With the help of such equipment, furrows are cut for further planting of cultivated plants. Moreover, some models allow operation in conjunction with cutters. The baking powder nozzle prepares the soil cover, and then follows the hiller, which forms the furrows. However, to ensure hitch, it is recommended to prepare in advance the appropriate spare parts for the cultivator, which will allow you to securely connect the design of the unit and the hinged block of the hiller. The same applies to rear-mounted rotary mowers.
If the cultivator has sufficient power of more than 5 kW, then it makes sense to use a plow. It will make it possible to penetrate deeply into the soil layer, although you should not count on high speed with such an addition.
Accessories and consumables for the cultivator
First of all, work on a cultivator is not complete without protective equipment. Personal equipment of this kind includes gloves, goggles and, if necessary, noise-canceling headphones. Although light low-power models in terms of noise cause a little discomfort. Followed bythink over the storage of fuels and lubricants, which are regularly refueled with gasoline mini-cultivators. Reviews of experienced farmers note that plastic canisters are best suited for such needs. Not only are they more convenient to physically handle, but, unlike metal containers, they also prevent the oxidation of gasoline and oil.
Because the cultivator is often subjected to intense physical activity, stocks of the most worn structural elements should be taken care of in advance. Cultivator parts such as spark plugs, seals, connecting fittings, hardware kits, etc. are always in demand on the market. Part of the workflow may require tools for direct manual tillage, separate milling cutters and tools for harvesting - for example potatoes.
Reviews about the model GC-25E from Ergomax
Ergomax is well known to professional farmers as a solid manufacturer of mid-range equipment. That is, you should not expect any special frills in terms of reliability and performance, but by general standards and at the basic level of tasks of an ordinary summer resident, models of this brand do their job well.
In particular, the unit is praised for a good option, despite the generally modest performance. If you need an inexpensive gasoline mini-cultivator for women with an easy start, then you can safely consider this model. The unit is provided with an E-start easy start system, which is implemented at a high level, notgives failures and allows you to easily control the design.
The weak point of the cultivator is the presence of a 2-stroke engine. The downside is the low power of 1.3 kW. As the owners of the model note, with such a potential, only surface loosening, weeding and hilling on soil prepared in advance for this can be performed. For serious plowing, the GC-25E petrol mini-cultivator is not suitable - unless we are talking about a very small area, but even in this case the operator will have to suffer in the process.
Reviews about the Carver T-300
According to reviews, this is one of the best models of cultivators in its class. The unit turned out to be reliable, light, small and at the same time productive. It has a capacity of 2 liters. with. and a collapsible design - this makes it possible to easily move equipment in the trunk of a car. What is more interesting, the prices for gasoline mini-cultivators for summer cottages with the same characteristics vary between 10-15 thousand rubles. In this case, Carver offers his car for 9-10 thousand, which cannot but add to the attractiveness of the model.
But there is also a reason for reflection before buying this device. Among the shortcomings, the owners point to the shortage of spare parts in the domestic market. And although the model is characterized as hardy and durable, technical support cannot be dispensed with. In this sense, it is enough to note complaints about the gearbox and overheating of the power plant. True, if you use the Carver T-300 gasoline mini-cultivator insparing mode in accordance with the instructions, then the moment of the upcoming repair can be postponed for a long time.
Reviews of the Kioritz Deluxe by Mantis
Mantis shows how important high-quality professional equipment can be. Even at a low power of 1.1 liters. with. the model does its job effectively. As the owners note, the Mantis gasoline mini-cultivator can be safely used for cultivation, loosening, row spacing and weeding. The rotation of the cutters at a frequency of 240 rpm ensures high quality cultivation without burdening the user.
By the way, thanks to the Fast Start system, both women and the elderly will be able to control this machine. The undoubted advantage of the device is the reliability of the element base. But the prices for a gasoline mini-cultivator for giving from Mantis are also considerable - this modification is available for 36-37 thousand. And according to many users, this fee is fully justified.
Conclusion
The purchase of agricultural machinery is an important and responsible decision. Before proceeding with the analysis of the above selection parameters, it is worth answering a number of questions. For example - what type of soil prevails on the site, what is the area of \u200b\u200bthe garden, what types of processing will the machine perform, and who will work with it? After that, you can proceed to compare the requirements and technical data of specific models. There may be other selection criteria. These may include requirementsto the stylistic design of the cultivator, additional options, availability of protective systems for the engine, etc.
