Electric hoe: what is and how to choose?

On the site, gardeners always have a bed that needs processing, but not every tool can help out in hard-to-reach places. Where mechanized equipment and even an ultralight cultivator cannot pass, a miniature device - an electric hoe - will cope.

Many real users recommend using an electric hoe in their reviews. This versatile gardening device has many advantages:

• easily performs various gardening works: harrowing, plowing and loosening the soil; fertilization; leveling the surface;
• easy to manage;
• lightweight (up to 5 kg) and comfortable to use;
• it has a long duration of work;
• has a long bar (in some models, telescopic, adapting to height) to relieve the load on the back;
• the presence of a D-shaped handle that easily changes position - additional convenience;
• the electric hoe is protected from breakage, the work automatically stops if the cutters fall into dense layers of soil or run into roots;

• for the manufacture of cutters, hard alloy metals are used, which increase the shelf life;
• the battery device allows you to use an electric hoist for giving or cultivating land far from electrification;
• significantly reduces energy costs and saves time when performing standard work on the land;
• automatically shuts off when overheated;
• has convenient dimensions, which allow not to allocate a large storage area.

The following factors can be noted as minor disadvantages:

• the cost of an electrical appliance is much higher than that of a conventional hoe;
• without a battery in large areas, work is difficult due to a short cord (the problem is solved by buying an additional extension cord);
• a mains-powered hoe will not work if there is no power source.

By its design, the electric hoe is a simple device. It resembles a trimmer - two handles on a long telescopic rod, the engine at the bottom, the power cord and the start button at the top. But it differs from an ordinary cultivator in the principle of operation. With the help of an electric hoe, surface loosening of the soil surface is carried out. Such a ripper works the soil with smooth pins, periodically rotating half a turn around the vertical axis in one direction or the other. It is a handy tool with excellent functionality for performing certain monotonous and tedious work in the garden and on the garden plot.

Electric hoppers are of two types:

• an electrical appliance powered by the network;
• device with a built-in battery.

It is difficult to judge which one is more convenient and efficient. After all, the absence of the need to supply current from the network does not exempt from periodic recharging of the battery. In addition, its presence makes the tool more heavy. The choice will only depend on the specific conditions of use. Loosening of the soil is directly carried out either with rods or cutters.

For their production, hardened high-carbon steel is used, so the working elements are distinguished by significant strength. At the end of the electric hoist, there is a pair of rotating discs, each of which has three "fingers" made of metal. The rods with triangular edges and slightly rounded edges and ten centimeters in length ensure maximum performance.

The presence of a cutter implies loosening a deeper layer. At the same time, the tool resembles a cultivator with its principle of operation - it breaks up clods of earth and cuts weed roots with sharpened rotating knives.

A triple cutter is used as a functional element. The tool starts working when plugged in and the On button is pressed. The engine pushes the discs with working attachments. The cutter or rods are set in motion and, rotating, loosen the soil, crushing large clods and dried soil.

The electric hoe is used for several types of work in the garden.

• Loosening the soil - the main purpose of this power tool. When in motion, the pins grind and grind earth clods.
• Harrowing - plowing and leveling the soil after sowing by shallow immersion of metal pins.
• Weeding. The moving wheel captures weeds and pulls them to the soil surface.
• Trimming the edges of flower beds or lawns. The electric hoe is much faster and more convenient than the same work with a lawn cutter or manually.

Electric chopper manufacturers today offer a variety of devices that attract buyers with powerful batteries, sharp cutters and reliable motors. One of the very first Russians learned model Gloria (Brill) Gardenboy Plus 400 W... With the help of this equipment, you can easily cultivate several acres of land, weeding and loosening the soil to a depth of 8 cm. The weight of the electric hoe is 2.3 kg. Works from the mains.

Rechargeable battery is no less famous among gardeners hoe Black & Decker GXC 1000.

Thorough loosening of the soil at a depth of 10 cm is carried out using counter-rotating knives. The device weighing 3.7 kg can process an area of ​​8x8 m without recharging. It takes 3 hours to fully charge the battery.

Lightweight and practical electric hoe SunGarden TF 400 also in demand. Reviews of summer residents testify to the reliability of this garden tool. Thanks to the improved design of the "fingers" the equipment does not get jammed by the ingress of stones or solid particles. Loosening, harrowing, weeding and edging the lawn edges is done quickly, quietly and effortlessly. The device is distinguished by its high performance and low weight - 2.5 kg. In addition to the listed models, the reliability of Bosch garden tools can be noted. But in this line, the trimmer is most in demand.

When thinking about purchasing such a garden assistant as an electric hoe, you need to consider several important criteria.

• Tool weight. It is preferable to choose models with a low weight, not exceeding 5 kg. With laborious work, the severity of the electric hoe will not affect the productivity in the best way.
• Noise level. For a full-fledged work with an electric hoe, it is advisable to familiarize yourself in advance with this characteristic specified in the data sheet for the tool.
• Auto-lock. A mandatory function that turns off the engine if it overheats or clogs. Prevents breakdown, which means it saves nerves and money.
• Type of food. The advantage of cordless hoes is the freedom of movement with the tool around the site. But the electric hoist, powered by the network, also has its own plus - great performance.
• Working elements - "fingers" or cutters. This parameter is selected depending on the planned types of work.

Observing the basic rules, you can achieve the longest possible operation of the electric hoe. The compacted soil must be prepared for processing by making several pricks with forks in different places. Next, the electric hoe is immersed in the ground and pushed forward, holding it in front of you. To uproot weeds, the tool is slowly pressed into the ground with weeds and with a sharp movement towards itself, remove them. For the introduction of manure or other fertilizers into the soil layer, movements are made in a circle with an electric hoe.

For good performance of the tool and a long service life, it should be regularly looked after. Careful use and careful storage are also important. The electric hoe is one of the most maintenance-friendly tools. Does not need lubrication, as there are no rubbing parts. Does not involve the use of fuel and control of the oil level in the engine. But there are a few important points to consider:

• it is permissible to connect the device to the network only after complete assembly and verification of readiness for work;
• be sure to check the fasteners of the mechanisms and all parts for wear and possible damage;
• keep the tool disconnected from the power supply;
• during operation, hold the electric hoe with both hands, control the position of the legs to avoid contact with the moving surface;
• do not break too large lumps of earth with a tool without preliminary processing them with a pitchfork;

• after processing wet soil, the working pins (cutters) must be cleaned of adhering earth clods and leave the device to dry in the air;
• you need to store such a hoe in a dry place, since electrical appliances do not tolerate moisture;
• after long-term storage in a damp, unventilated barn, it will take time to dry and ventilate the equipment before starting work;
• it is optimal to use electric garden tools for 20 minutes in action with the same break, in hot weather it is better to increase the rest time by another 10 minutes.

With proper care, use and storage, an electric hoe can significantly facilitate agricultural work in vegetable gardens and orchards. The device is especially suitable for the elderly and those who have little time and effort to cultivate the soil on the site.

See the next video for more details.