Features of "Mole" walk-behind tractors

The very first model of domestic motoblocks was very successful. The product "Mole" has versatility and an almost inexhaustible resource of work, and consumer reviews of its performance characteristics are the most positive.

The Krot motor-cultivator has a rather long history, like most other units created in Soviet times. Probably, many summer residents of the older generation remember the story when the walk-behind tractor of this brand just appeared on the market - it was a period of the rapid flowering of science and technology in the USSR. In those years, Krot became a real pioneer in the agricultural industry thanks to its reliability and efficiency.

The first development of motoblocks began in the 80s of the last century, and in 1983 the first samples appeared. The first trial batch was sold out literally in a matter of days, Soviet gardeners lined up in long queues for this product. Moreover, even foreign companies are interested in the products. That is why it was decided to put the production of cultivators "on stream".

Dozens of years have passed since then, but the units of this brand are in high demand among domestic gardeners and gardeners.

The main function of the Mole is plowing the soil. In addition, he successfully copes with weeding, but in this case additional elements should be used - weeders.

Summer residents very often use a walk-behind tractor for hilling potatoes, moreover, if you buy special attachments, then the walk-behind tractor can also dig out the root crop from the ground.

Thus, we can safely say that the technical features of the Mole cultivator are so high that the unit becomes an indispensable assistant for any gardener, and if you equip it with additional sheds, then the functionality of the "Mole" will be significantly expanded, and the labor of a person caring for plantings will become much less laborious.

Nevertheless, one should bear in mind some features of the "Mole" brand walk-behind tractors when performing agricultural work of various types.

Many owners of household plots are sure that the "Krot" walk-behind tractor is designed to plow the land. In practice, this is not entirely true - the device is called a motor-cultivator, therefore its tasks include loosening the earth and leveling it.

To do this, the walk-behind tractor has cutters, which are considered its main working body.

The "Mole" also works quite well on six cutters, although this creates an increased load. Moreover, while it is more stable and not much "buried" in the ground.But such a cultivator is no longer able to pull eight cutters, or rather, it will work, but with significant overloads and a high risk of engine overheating, so you need to be very careful when using cutters.

In this case, instead of knives, it is recommended to install special weeders made in an L-shaped form, and instead of external cutters, special discs are installed that effectively protect plants from weeders.

When carrying out this type of work, instead of soil cutters, metal wheels are attached, preferably with lugs purchased separately, and instead of the opener, a potato tiller is hung, which is also purchased separately.

To mow fresh grass, a mower is often hung on the front of the unit, and the output shafts are supplemented with wheels. Such a hitch is connected to the engine using a V-belt type of gear, for this purpose an additional pulley is made on the output shaft.

In this case, the cultivator should be equipped with a pump using the same V-belt mechanism, but this gear should be removed from the gearbox.

Users also note some of the shortcomings of the "Mole", in particular, point to its weak side - the piston group... After several years of using technology, almost every summer resident is forced to change parts such as a piston with rings, and in addition, over time, the starter may fail over time, although it is rarely restored, but simply use a matus rope instead, with which they start motor.

Among the minuses, one can also note the insufficient strength of the handle, which often has to be strengthened. At the same time, all opinions agree that the main elements - the gearbox, piston and belt tensioner, clutch and set of cutters - are of exceptional quality, reliability and durability.

The dimensions of the "Mole" are very ergonomic and are approximately 130x81x10.6 cm. Such dimensions greatly facilitate storage and transportation of the device, and also make its maintenance much more convenient.

The walk-behind tractor has a rather simple structure:

• internal combustion engine;
• frame;
• reducer;
• bracket;
• lever;
• removable wheels.

The engine movement is controlled using special mechanisms, as a rule, they are located on the handle, and the attachments and wheels cling to the gearbox. The cutters are made of rather sharp steel, due to which they are distinguished by increased resistance to various external adverse influences. This allows them to be in an invariably active state for several decades.

The power of the motors, depending on the model, can reach 6.5 liters. The frames are made of semi-frames, they are bolted to the gearbox.

The handle is tubular, it, like the bracket, is attached to the back of the cultivator. On the handle there are buttons for controlling the speed, as well as the clutch. The output shafts of the "Krot" motor-cultivator are supplemented with milling cutters necessary for plowing the ground, or wheels, if it is required to move the cart.

An internal combustion engine is usually attached to the frame. It is connected by means of a V-belt system to the input shaft on the gearbox.

The latter is an indispensable part of the design of the installation, its main role is to transfer torque directly to the nodes from the engine.

Cutters are fixed on the gearbox shaft. In the classic configuration, there are four of them, but often their number rises to six. The cutters are responsible for cutting the top layer of the soil, but how deep the loosening will be depends on the type of opener.

Pulleys are made of aluminum, steel or cast iron. The design includes two piston rings. The material from which they are made largely affects the entire working life of the walk-behind tractor.

The air pump is responsible for maintaining the power of the installation and economical consumption of fuel; it cleans the air masses from dust and other polluting particles. The pump is made of cellulose.

The most popular are the Mole -1 and Mole -2 models. In working order, they are 100–130 cm long, 35–82 cm wide and 71–106 cm high. The gripping parameters vary from 35 to 60 cm, and the processing depth is 25 cm. When milling, units per hour process from 150 to 200 sq. m.

The engine is cylindrical, two-stroke. The cooling system works according to the forced scheme, the volume corresponds to 60 cm³, and the capacity is 2.6 liters. s, which corresponds to 1.9 kW. The engine is started manually.

Model "Mole" -2 is slightly more modern... While maintaining the basic parameters, it is equipped with much more powerful four-stroke engines made in China. Also, the latest models are equipped with a modern K41K carburetor (the Mole -1 model uses a carburetor from the K60V mopeds popular in the USSR).

For motoblocks, a variety of attachments are used.

Used when processing soil instead of a coulter.

Needed to move loads weighing up to 500 kg. It should be noted that when carrying out work on moving the trolley, the walk-behind tractor moves rather slowly, but in any case it is better than carrying heavy bags on your back.

Usually they are included in the basic package and are used when it is necessary to transport cargo, as well as deliver the cultivator itself to the place of work. They are usually equipped with heavy-duty treads for better traction on the ground.

Such a hinge significantly increases the area of ​​contact with the ground. Due to this, the throughput of the installation increases sharply, especially if the work is carried out in the winter.

They are massive metal wheels with pronounced ribs.

In the cold season, the "Mole" walk-behind tractors can be used to clear the area from snow. For this purpose, a snow blower is attached to them.

It can be of several types: auger snow thrower, blade or brush.

When using such a device, sowing work can be greatly facilitated.

Another interesting device that digs up and turns over a layer of earth, pours it on the grate or in a special bunker, vibrates it, cleans the tubers from the soil, and "throws" the potatoes out.

They are used so that the cultivator sinks into the soil as deeply as possible. These devices are put on the shaft and wheels.

The hitch is adjustable and not. In the first case, you can set not only the horizontal, but also the angle of attack.

A motor-cultivator can serve its owners faithfully for more than a decade, but only on condition of regular maintenance, which includes several stages.

Before starting work, you must:

• check the strength of the installation fasteners: if it is loosened, tighten and tighten them;
• make sure that the tank is full with fuel: if there is little fuel, fill the tank completely;
• see the volume of oil in the crankcase.

Upon completion of the work, you need:

• clean the cultivator from dirt and dust;
• thoroughly rinse and completely dry the installation;
• lubricate all moving elements with grease;
• place the cultivator in a place out of direct sunlight.

In the latter case it is worth giving preference to M-12 in proportion to fuel 1 to 20 Is the standard oil used on all two-stroke engines. Please be aware that the fuel mixture cannot be made directly in the tank - it is better to prepare it in advance in a separate tank. If this is not possible, then first use only 1/2 of the required amount of gasoline, then pour out the oil, mix everything and only then add all the remaining gasoline.

MG-8A will need to be poured into the gearbox of the walk-behind tractor, which belongs to hydraulic oils, and for the output gearbox, you need to take the TAD-17 transmission.

As for the manufacturers, there are no explicit requirements here - you can focus on your own financial capabilities. Today, you can find cheaper Russian-made products, as well as imported oils, but they will cost more.

Like any other technique, the "Mole" walk-behind tractor breaks down from time to time, which can be facilitated by a number of malfunctions. The walk-behind tractor stalls, it is impossible to start it. Most often this is due to spark plugs: it can get wet, burn out or smoke.

• If the plug is completely dry, it means that the fuel-air mixture does not penetrate into the engine, if, on the contrary, it is too wet, it is necessary to pump the engine using a recoil starter. This will dry the cylinder and correct the problem.
• If during a visual inspection you see that the candle is covered with dirt, then thoroughly rinse it in gasoline and clean it with the finest sandpaper.
• If there is no spark at all, the spark plug may need to be replaced completely. If, however, the engine does not start with a new part, check the condition of the electrical circuit contacts.

• Carburetor problem. This can be caused by a clogged fuel hose, so no fuel is supplied.
• The gearbox is noisy. Most likely, there is not enough oil in the walk-behind tractor, you just need to add it to the required volume.
• Oil leaks from the oil seals. This happens when the fasteners are loose. They need to be tightened, adjusted, and the problem goes away immediately.
• If the engine is not working at full capacity, replacing the crankshaft may help.

How to troubleshoot the "Mole" walk-behind tractor, see the next video.