Manual cultivators: types, features of selection and application

For many decades, agricultural workers have been using various types of hand cultivators to facilitate their work. Cultivators are used not only for loosening the soil, but also for removing weed residues, mixing various organic and mineral fertilizers, as well as for eliminating large lumps and lumps. On the basis of the structure of the manual apparatus, the designers have developed modern models of motor-cultivators. Novice gardeners often confuse this device with a walk-behind tractor. There are fundamental differences between these devices that must be known before purchasing a garden assistant.

The hand cultivator is a modern, efficient mechanical assistant that helps prepare the land for various types of agricultural work. With the help of the device, you can not only prepare the soil for the spring sowing campaign, but also thoroughly mix fertilizers, normalize the structure of the earth. The main working part is cutters, which are in direct contact with fertile soil layers.

Main functions:

• weeding;
• plowing;
• weed removal;
• loosening the soil;
• the formation of landing holes;
• mixing of soil and applied mineral and organic fertilizers.

Manufacturers produce several types of this device:

• rotary;
• ripper;
• electric;
• petrol;
• diesel.

Depending on the weight, there are three types of devices.

• Lungs. They are used for areas with light soil with an area of ​​no more than 10 acres. The milling cutter does not penetrate more than 25 cm in depth. The device is widely used in greenhouses and greenhouses. The use of an electrically driven machine significantly limits the cultivation area.
• Average. Machines for processing areas with different types of soil up to 30 acres. The maximum weight of one device can be up to 40 kg. To carry out the work, you must have experience in managing agricultural machinery.
• Heavy. Devices weighing up to 65 kg and working area up to 50 acres. Universal and mobile devices operate only on combustible fuel.

In specialized stores several types of cultivators can be purchased.

• Root remover. Designed for removing weeds and digging holes for planting various seedlings. This device consists of spiral parts that easily penetrate the ground. The disadvantage is the small cultivation area. Advantages - the expenditure of a minimum amount of physical effort.
• Petrol. Has similar functions with a motor cultivator. The mass of these devices is in the range from 11 to 16 kg.Supplied with auxiliary attachments.
• Electric. It is used for processing small plots of land. Advantages - light weight, ease of use, absence of noise and harmful exhaust gases.
• Starry. A popular type of hand-held rotary device that loosens and mixes soil and various fertilizers. Work is carried out using a working shaft with cutting blades.

The rotary cultivator (hedgehog) consists of a metal shaft on which discs with teeth are located. The area to be treated depends on the number of discs.

The ripper structure consists of a metal bar with sharp teeth.

The root remover has the form of a rod with spiral teeth on the sides.

A potato digger, which resembles an ordinary pitchfork with the ability to rotate, will definitely become an assistant in harvesting root crops. This tool consists of steel teeth, a metal bar and a handle.

A complete overview of the models can be seen on special websites of well-known manufacturers of this group of goods.

When choosing the best cultivator model the following factors must be considered:

• total plot size;
• the amount of the cultivated land surface;
• the quality of the treated soil;
• type of fertile layer;
• time period of work performance;
• availability of professional experience and practical skills;
• the need to install additional devices and attachments;
• the amount of financial investments.

Light gasoline cultivators have taken a leading position in the sales ranking of this group of products due to the following features:

• affordable price range;
• light weight;
• Ease of controls;
• the ability to process plots up to 10 acres;
• the ability to use in different parts of the site;
• transportability;
• use in hard-to-reach areas with difficult terrain.

In specialized stores, you can see a large number of cultivators that differ not only in price range, size and function, but also in the country of production.

Experts recommend paying attention to the products of domestic manufacturers, which have a number of advantages:

• ease of use;
• affordable price range;
• the presence of a large number of additional functions;
• manufacturing of component parts from high quality materials using modern equipment;
• the ability to replace deformed parts;
• execution of works only by high-level specialists.

The most popular domestic models are such devices as "Viking", "Gardener", "Neva", "Mole", "Celina", "Farmer", "Strizh", "Batrak", "Roe".

In the cultivator "Viking" a powerful petrol-powered engine is installed, as well as milling cutters and a tiller. This device has several models that have different configurations, functions and can be used to work with virgin and black soil. Experts recommend paying attention to the Viking's ability to change the grasp of the ground, as well as to its maneuverability and versatility.A wide price range makes it possible to purchase a device for different categories of the population. The main advantage is reliability and a long period of operation.

A budget option for cultivators for small beds, greenhouses and greenhouses is "Gardener", which will allow you to perform work even in hard-to-reach areas. The designers provided for the installation of the company's engine on the device Honda... Steering and anti-vibration function makes work much easier. The advantage is the location of the center of gravity at the bottom.

One of the most sought-after heavy-duty cultivators is "Neva"... This device is only used for large areas. The disadvantage is low maneuverability, capture of a large area of ​​soil. The advantage is the availability of spare parts and the ability to quickly install them. Twin wheels and handlebars make it easy to get the job done.

The leader in sales of the middle price category of this group of goods is the cultivator "Mole"which has simple structure and high power. The availability of spare parts makes it possible to eliminate all faults in a short time.

For loosening and digging up light soil, you can purchase a device "Celina".

Among the main advantages, experts distinguish the following:

• Ease of controls;
• the use of a minimum amount of physical effort;
• the ability to adjust the control knob;
• the presence of rear wheels;
• ease of transportation;
• the presence of metal brackets for transfer.

Experts recommend paying attention to the cultivator "Farmer", which has three gears and reverse. The small size makes it possible to use the device near houses and trees. Cutting elements penetrate into virgin soil to a depth of more than 20 cm. Manufacturers produce several models of this device with different price ranges.

Among European manufacturers, it is necessary to note the French company "Caiman" and German companies Brill and Gardenawhose products are distinguished by high power and reliability.

Most of the goods in modern stores are cultivators made in China. The main advantages of these products are a low price range and a high level of aesthetic performance. Before purchasing a Chinese cultivator, you need to know about its shortcomings:

• use of low quality raw materials;
• fragility of the starter in the engine;
• fast deformation of the cover;
• regular replacement of component parts;
• quick breakdown of worm gears.

Experienced gardeners recommend paying attention to the KR-1 hand cultivator, which is a versatile tool. The designers have provided for the possibility of attaching a large number of attachments to a metal frame, and the height and dimensions of the device are harmoniously combined with the physical characteristics of all gardeners. Has the functions of reverse movement and self-cleaning.

Fork cultivator VKR-400 - an interesting development of domestic designers, which can completely replace the shovel and increase the speed of work. The tool has a horizontal rudder and stop. The device makes it possible to loosen the soil without lifting a heavy layer of earth, which completely eliminates the load on the bone skeleton.

The process of using manual cultivators will not cause difficulties even for novice summer residents.

Before using the rotary apparatus, it must be placed on a handle, the length of which must correspond to the height of the person. The main features of the process of working with this type of cultivator:

• installation strictly vertically to the ground;
• the arrangement of the stars between the rows;
• placing a connecting arc over the bed.

To remove weeds and other unnecessary plants, you must use a ripper, the process of which consists in quickly and strongly immersing the tines in the soil and performing a clockwise rotation. In order to pull out the grass, you must pull the tool towards you.

To remove weeds, a root remover should be driven into the ground, turning the knob clockwise to pull out the roots.

In order to dig up roots with a potato digger, you need to put the tool with the tip down and turn the handle clockwise. Continuing the rotation, it is necessary to pull the tool out of the ground along with the crop.

Included with many models of devices are additional attachments that will become indispensable when performing various works:

• hilling nozzle;
• wheels of a special shape;
• pneumatic tires;
• harrow;
• cart;
• special hinged sinkers;
• mounted cutters;
• rake.

Cultivators are widely used not only in large farms, but also in small summer cottages. A large number of positive reviews speaks of the demand for the device.

Experienced gardeners point to a number of advantages when using manual assistants:

• ease of use;
• the minimum amount of financial costs for service;
• accurate execution of various types of work;
• affordable price range.

Buyers pay attention to the presence of shortcomings:

• regular replacement of working tools;
• damage from contact with dry and hard soil;
• the formation of a non-uniform depth of holes.

You can read positive reviews not only about European goods, but also about domestic ones, the quality and range of which are constantly improving.

Particular attention should be paid to equipment from China, which can be found in large numbers. To reduce prices, manufacturers use cheap materials and components. This factor negatively affects the quality of goods and the terms of their operation. Before using Chinese cultivators, experienced gardeners recommend immediately replacing all plastic parts with metal ones.

To facilitate the hard work of agricultural workers, designers have developed iron assistants, which gardeners have been using on their backyards for many years. In specialized stores, you can see a huge amount of these devices, which differ not only in function and size, but also in price, as well as in the country of production. The choice of tool is influenced by the size of the site, the number and purpose of the planned work, as well as financial capabilities. Experts recommend that you definitely purchase auxiliary tools that will facilitate physical labor, and new models of cultivators will significantly speed up the process of soil cultivation and planting.

For an overview of a manual cultivator for weeding, see the video below.