Motoblock "beam" MB-1: technical characteristics

On occasion, I bought an MB-1 Luch walk-behind tractor, manufactured in 1993. The previous owner worked on it for 2-3 seasons on his property, then sold the dacha, and so I asked to sell the walk-behind tractor; I had long wanted to buy it to help my parents. When I bought it, it looked like new (even the factory paint was preserved everywhere), in addition I received lugs, a plow, a hiller, a cultivator, a potato digger, weights, axle extensions, an original leather bag with spare parts, and instructions. They started it up - it seemed to start, the former owner warned that it needed adjustment, for me this, as it seemed to me, was an insignificant problem (momed, tractor, there is a car, it seems like the hands are in place), how wrong I was! The walk-behind tractor sat in a dry shed for six months. In the spring they decided to cultivate the area, and problems and breakdowns began to appear one after another. First of all, the starter went off, after a couple of hours of jerking and trying to start, it couldn’t stand it. It doesn’t matter, I bought another one, from NEVA, the replacement took about an hour, due to the fact that the fastening bolts are structurally located so that only a child’s hand can reach it.

After the replacement, it started to start, but after 5-7 minutes of operation it stalled. After which, after about 5 minutes it started up quietly again and stalled again. And so on for 6 hours in a row, until he finally cultivated the entire area. During this time, the head gasket burned out - it was replaced from a repair kit. The original spark plug was replaced - the spark became better, it started better. But he continued to stall. They started to waste gasoline (and it is needed there according to the documents AI-80) - they drained it and filled it with AI-80 - it didn’t help. We disassembled the carburetor, found out that the float does not pull the needle when the chamber is empty, we bent the tongue, it became better, but not the same, no more than 10 minutes of work. And if you bend it a little harder, gasoline begins to flow out of the carburetor. They installed a new carburetor, just from the store - and it turned out that the needle spring was not put on the tongue at all. The most interesting thing is that in this state it worked at least a little, and after they put the needle spring on the tongue it stopped starting altogether. We returned the old carburetor to its place and decided to adjust it according to the instructions. Figurines. The adjustment screws are located in such a way that it is impossible to get to them when the engine is running (or not running). One screw almost rests against the air filter housing, and the bottom screw, with almost its entire side surface, rests against the gas board. What “genius” came up with such a layout, how can these screws be adjusted “by hand”, firstly they are tight, and secondly, you can’t get to them! We removed the air filter, made an L-shaped screwdriver, tried to adjust it according to the instructions, by the way, it did almost nothing, it began to work a little more stable. In general, I was tired as a horse while I cultivated 10 acres. He stretched out his arms while starting the engine. At the same time, the tank suddenly leaked (and not at the tap, but somewhere on the side), the very mount of the tank to the engine fell apart, and some of the bolts came loose. The tank, by the way, has a stupid design, if you pour 3 liters into it, you can only drain 2 liters, the rest cannot be drained, because the border fence is located at a certain height from the bottom of the tank.

After I cultivated it, connected 2 hillers, grousers, and a weighting agent, I decided to cut furrows. I’m even more tired - the walk-behind tractor is not centered, it’s very difficult to maintain a straight line, the soil is a little harder - one hiller digs in harder and the walk-behind tractor begins to pull uncontrollably to the right or left. It’s still a big mystery how the videos from the Internet of working with a walk-behind tractor produce beautiful, even furrows, and even with ordinary wheels. I installed axle extensions, it became much more convenient, at least 2-3 times more stable. But it's still hard. And even at first speed he runs very fast, while running around the area behind the walk-behind tractor was exhausting. Turning around without outside help is also difficult, especially when the hiller is hooked up and the reverse gear is immediately unhooked, otherwise this walk-behind tractor can easily crush you in reverse (there is no emergency shutdown on the steering wheel).

The factory original hiller (or rather its frame), is made of soft metal, it bends, it’s easy, just by hand, and with soil too, after driving the furrows I had to strengthen it and weld the corner.

Technical capabilities of the "LUCH" MB-1 walk-behind tractor

Specifications

The main technical characteristics of the Luch walk-behind tractor are presented in the table.

Index	Meter	Quantity
Dimensions:
§ length	mm	1500
§ width	mm	600
§ height	mm	1000
Weight	kg	100
Speed	km/h	from 3.6 to 9.0
Track	mm	590
Ground clearance	mm	330
Limit angle of inclination:
§ longitudinal	hail	20
§ transverse	hail	24
Number of gears:
§ Forward	2
§ Reverse	2
Steering	rod
Sound level at the helm	dBa	92
Dimensions of the cultivator:
§ width	mm	from 722 to 1133
§ diameter	mm	360

To perform additional tasks, the unit is equipped with the following equipment:

rotary mower;
lugs;
plow PC-1-18;
snow blower SM-06;
trailed trolley TPM-350;
motor-block brush ShchM-0.9;
single-row and double-row hillers;
potato digger KV-2.

Luch MB 1 has a curb weight of 100 kg. The maximum speed is between 3.6-9 km/h, which is quite enough for working in muddy conditions.

The walk-behind tractor has a very compact size. So, let's pay attention to the length of 1500 mm, and the width and height are 600 and 1150 mm, respectively. We note the rather low ground clearance of 140 mm, but this disadvantage is compensated by large approach and departure angles - thanks to the short overhangs of the body. We also note the good parameters of the working gauge (570 mm) and transport gauge (310 mm).

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The cultivator of Luch MB 1 has a working width in the range of 725-1200 mm, and a diameter of 360 mm.

Characteristics of the walk-behind tractor

The engine is the KADVI 168F-2A power unit, which was developed similar to the famous Japanese company Honda. The engine is 4-stroke, with one cylinder. The walk-behind tractor uses gasoline as fuel. Air cooling system. The principle of operation of the fuel system is based on the principle of operation of the carburetor of the Luch walk-behind tractor. The productive element is started using a manual starter. Engine power is 5 hp. Recommended fuel types: AI-76, AI-80, AI-92.

While the walk-behind tractor is operating, it is strictly forbidden (by the manufacturer) to refuel the gas tank or come into contact with the tip of the spark plug and the ignition wire. Main overall dimensions of Beam MB 1: length - 1500 mm; width - 600 mm; height - 1150 mm. The minimum turning radius is 1100 mm. In the working position, the unit grips 700-1150 mm, the grip depth is 360 mm. The gas tank is designed for 3.6 liters. In this case, fuel consumption is 1.5-2 liters. at one o'clock.

Description of the MB-1 walk-behind tractor

Luch walk-behind tractors have come a long way from their creation to the present day. Initially, the manufacturer of these walk-behind tractors was the Perm Motors OJSC enterprise, which in the 90s became part of the Perm engine-building complex.

The units are well-deservedly popular among domestic farmers and have a reputation as powerful, productive, fault-resistant devices with varying capacities. Each owner can choose a walk-behind tractor model based on the site, scope of work, and purpose.

Photo of the Luch MB-1 walk-behind tractor

Detailed review of "LUCH"

When purchased, the factory equipment includes pneumatic wheels, rototillers and extension cords. Beam MB 1 has several modifications. The models differ from each other in the installed power plant. Thus, the manufacturer installs Japanese Subaru engines. In addition, there are models with engines from such brands as Lifan, Vanguard, Lian-Long. Without a doubt, the most models were produced with the domestically produced KADVI 168F-2A engine. During its development, Honda technologies were not absent.

Engine

The Luch MB 1 walk-behind tractor can be equipped with various engine options from the brands Subaru, Lian-Long, Vanguard and Lifan. However, the most widely used versions are those with the KADVI 168F-2A power plant, produced using foreign components using Honda technology. This unit with overhead cylinders is characterized by low specific fuel consumption, low weight, excellent design parameters and minimal noise levels.

The 4-stroke, 1-cylinder petrol engine has forced air cooling, a carburetor and a built-in manual starter. The lubrication system is carried out by splashing. The engine is started using a built-in manual starter.

Attachments

Beam MB 1 is not only easy to use, but also has very compact dimensions. Additional attachments add to the versatility of this model. Thanks to various options, Beam MB 1 received several modifications necessary to solve certain problems. So, depending on a particular equipment, the capabilities of the walk-behind tractor include:

cleaning and forming furrows
plowing
harrowing
digging and hilling root crops
watering the crop
spraying plants
snow removal
loosening the soil
grass cutting
cargo transportation
spraying plants

Beam MB 1 does not require any professional skills, it is extremely easy to use and maintain. And yet, each modification requires careful inspection and study. To do this, just read the instruction manual that comes with the walk-behind tractor. Proper operation of the equipment guarantees trouble-free and reliable operation for many years.

In the basic configuration, Luch MB 1 is equipped with cultivators necessary for loosening the soil. Extensions and special wheels are also available. In addition, let's pay attention to the wide motor range. For example, not only Russian, but also imported engines are provided for the walk-behind tractor. Each internal combustion engine has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of the Neva MB-1 walk-behind tractor

According to the operating instructions, this device was created in order to perform various tasks in personal plots and in the garden. Using a walk-behind tractor, you can mow, remove snow, hill up and plant root crops. The equipment is intended for use in swampy areas or wooded areas.

The advantages of the walk-behind tractor include the following parameters:

Small sizes.
Easy to use.
High performance, made possible thanks to the installed 4-stroke engine.
Large selection of attachments. In the basic configuration, the walk-behind tractor is equipped only with a cultivator, which is suitable for loosening the soil and turning it over. If there is a need to install additional equipment, it can be purchased at a specialized store.

It's easy to find parts to make repairs yourself. If the walk-behind tractor does not start or the carburetor needs to be adjusted, you should contact a specialized service center.

You can use the recommendations that are set out in the instruction manual, but not every owner of a Neva walk-behind tractor is able to repair the equipment themselves or adjust the internal systems. In this case, it is worth turning to professionals to set up the walk-behind tractor, since an ordinary user can spend several weeks dealing with repairs.

The Neva MB-1 walk-behind tractor has several modifications that differ from each other in the type of engine installed. The following equipment models exist:

Neva MB-1S-7.0 - has a Subaru engine, type EX21. This is a single-cylinder four-stroke engine with an air-cooling system and a manual starter.
Neva MB-1B-6.5 - an I/C 6.5 engine from Briggs and Stratton is installed, which has the characteristics described above.
Model MB-1S-6.5 Pro - EX17 motor installed.
MB-1B-6.0 - I/C 6.0 engine from Briggs and Stratton.
MB-1B-6.0-FS - differs from other engines in that the developers of Briggs and Stratton installed an electric starter and generator on it.
MB-1B-6.0 K is another product from Briggs and Stratton.
MB-1S-7.0 Premium - manufactured by Subaru, type EX21.
MB-1S-6.0 Pro Premium - EX17 motor type.
MB-1S-6.0-FS Premium is an I/C 6.0 engine from Briggs and Stratton, on which a generator and electric starter are installed.

Thus, in the Neva MB-1 model range, single-cylinder engines with a manual starter are installed. And only 2 models have an electric starter and 1 generator.

Advantages

Regardless of the chosen configuration, Beam MB 1 has advantages that distinguish it from its competitors. So, among the advantages we can highlight:

easy handling, no effort when turning
The walk-behind tractor is equipped with a chain gearbox and V-belt drive, which ensure a smooth ride and improve cross-country ability
The equipment is equipped with wheels and a quick-release steering wheel. This feature increases the versatility of the design, and thereby facilitates the transportation of equipment.
The walk-behind tractor's equipment list includes pneumatic rubber tires with deep tread. These tires provide ideal grip on gravel and other terrain.
presence of vertical steering wheel adjustment
the presence of special wings on wheels. These elements reliably protect the wheels from soil, which is extremely important when operating in field and mud conditions.
durable transmission, which includes two forward and two reverse gears
high power potential of all motors, without exception, offered for this model

Fuel consumption

Reviews from owners confirm that Luch MB 1 is highly economical and at the same time not demanding on fuel quality. In addition, it is noteworthy that the official data generally agree with the testimony of the owners. So, Luch MB 1 consumes an average of 1.5-2 liters per hour. This is a fairly low result, and therefore the developers decided to limit themselves to a modest 3.6-liter fuel tank.

The power unit in question is equipped with a forced air cooling system and an integrated manual starter. The lubrication system of a carburetor engine is carried out by splashing.

From owner reviews

Beam MB 1 is quite widely in demand, and mostly has only positive reviews. Many people buy this model on the secondary market, since used walk-behind tractors are usually in good condition, and in terms of reliability they are almost as good as new ones. For example, from the stories of the owners, we can conclude that Luch MB 1, even in maintained condition, can last for many years without causing serious problems in operation. Low cost of spare parts, high functionality and endurance are the key advantages of the Luch MB 1 model.

An in-depth analysis of the majority of walk-behind tractor reviews shows that the frequency of malfunctions of the Beam MB 1 is quite predictable. And yet, before using the equipment, it is necessary to carefully inspect it so that later problems do not arise while driving on various types of soil, as well as in muddy conditions. In any case, the Beam MB 1 is worth the investment. The potential and endurance of this technique is so high that many people use it in winter.

As for the engine, there are no problems with it. The most important thing in it is monitoring the oil level - it must be at least at the minimum level, otherwise the engine will make a knocking noise.

Common problems with the MB 1 Beam include an unreliable tension roller that can crack under heavy load. The owners note the good handling and geometric maneuverability of the walk-behind tractor. The left handle of the steering wheel has levers A and B, which allow you to move forward and backward. However, it is important to remember that pressing two levers at the same time can cause damage.

About the manufacturer and history of the Luch MB-1 model

The Luch MB-1 walk-behind tractor is in the same line with several other modifications of such equipment, which differ only in names, but are very similar both in appearance and in the design of all parts and assemblies. And the factory index for all is the same - “MB-1” (there is also an absolutely identical version, differing only in the shape of the fuel tank - “MB-5040”).

The names for their products were chosen by manufacturing enterprises, many of which belonged to the military-industrial complex and the aviation industry. The manufacturer of the Luch MB-1 walk-behind tractor was the Perm Production Association Motorostroitel named after Sverdlov (now JSC UEC Perm Motors), a manufacturer of aircraft engines.

The eighties and nineties of the twentieth century became for this plant the time when its products “came down from heaven to earth.” The line of manufactured equipment has been replenished with new models of gas turbine equipment intended for operation as part of gas pumping units of compressor stations of main gas pipelines and gas turbine power plants.

And also, in the light of the general “fashion for conversion” - consumer goods, among which, since 1985, was the Luch MB-1. In previous years, there was no point in producing walk-behind tractors in the Soviet Union: there was no market demand for them. Personal gardens were plowed and cultivated with collective farm tractors, either free of charge or for a reasonable fee. There was always a lot of gasoline and diesel fuel in farms, and they cost mere pennies. The years of destruction of the previous agricultural system throughout the country - the second half of the 80s and all of the 90s - became the time for the spread of the production and use of domestic walk-behind tractors.

Main products.

Currently (more precisely, since the beginning of the 2000s), Luch walk-behind tractors and other non-core “small” equipment have been removed from the lists of products manufactured by the Perm plant: it again produces only turbojet aircraft engines and industrial gas turbine mechanisms. This is also a nationwide trend: the production of walk-behind tractors has been abandoned everywhere at similar enterprises.

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However, many of the Luch MB-1 walk-behind tractors sold back in the last century are not only in working condition, but also work season after season without serious breakdowns; pass from hand to hand and are considered a familiar assistant in the households of families from different regions of Russia and the CIS. Not every mechanism is able to demonstrate such durability in use.

The design of this equipment is so universal that analogues of the Luch MB-1 walk-behind tractor are still produced by the Chinese, as well as several enterprises in Russia that, under the guise of their own production, make these walk-behind tractors from the same Chinese parts and components.