What is the difference between a walk-behind tractor and a walk-behind cultivator and what to choose?
Land owners often purchase equipment for cultivating land. It increases the speed of gardening and agricultural work and their quality. Before choosing a technique, the question arises about how a walk-behind tractor differs from a walk-behind cultivator.
Both of these units are found in residents’ dachas and gardens. They are sold in large quantities in stores. Each unit differs from its counterparts in characteristics, manufacturing companies and its capabilities. Today we’ll look at them in more detail and try to find out what the difference is between a cultivator and a walk-behind tractor.
Purpose of machines
The walk-behind tractor and the cultivator are designed to make the farmer’s work easier. But for many beginning gardeners, it is not always clear how the walk-behind tractor differs from a garden cultivator.
This is their main similarity. They are used to cultivate the land before planting crops (plowing), hilling, and loosening the soil. During soil cultivation, weeds are simultaneously removed and surface-applied fertilizers are dug in.
there are significant differences in the use of these units.
, which puts the summer resident before a choice: what is better for the garden, a walk-behind tractor or a cultivator?
Main differences
Equipment for performing agricultural work must be selected with great care and attention. Mechanical and electrical units for cultivating land are expensive. Not every gardener is ready to shell out money for something that turns out to be unnecessary to him. For this reason, it is worth knowing well the difference between a walk-behind tractor and a cultivator.
Externally, both units are similar to each other. They are intended for pre-sowing and harvesting tillage. But they have big differences. A motor cultivator loosens the ground. This operation is needed before planting the future crop. The walk-behind tractor does the same work, but can also clear the area of snow in winter, transport various loads, and split firewood. This is the main difference between a walk-behind tractor and a walk-behind cultivator.
The motor cultivator can be produced with a gasoline or electric engine. It provides many conveniences when processing small areas. The walk-behind tractor is equipped only with a gasoline or diesel engine. It moves on its own wheels with lugs. Among motor cultivators, only powerful units are capable of this. This is another difference that cultivators and walk-behind tractors have.
The engine power of a walk-behind cultivator is less than that of a walk-behind tractor. The capabilities of walk-behind tractors allow you to cultivate hard ground on surfaces with the possible overturning of other machines. The weight of heavy units creates good traction with the soil. The cost of these machines is higher than the cost of cultivators. It is worth buying them for working on large plots of land. The main differences between the machines end there.
The walk-behind tractor is a good assistant for the farmer. He performs the main work, which is difficult. These include:
- plowing the soil;
- cultivation;
- harrowing the site;
- hilling of crops;
- cutting furrows;
- planting crops;
- harvest.
The walk-behind tractor can work on areas of 3-4 hectares. This helps to preserve your health. What is the difference between the units is now clear.
Features of walk-behind tractors
A walk-behind tractor is a tractor, a combine harvester, working on its own plot of land. The high power of such machines allows you to install various attachments on them. It is used to remove snow and debris and transport cargo. Potatoes are also planted and harvested along with other root crops. The walk-behind tractor has big differences. It costs more than a cultivator. The final price depends on the type of engine, its power, and the manufacturer's plant. But the brand is not always the main difference.
It is better to listen to customer reviews when choosing a unit.
To cultivate large areas of land, powerful machines are required. All of them are equipped with a power take-off shaft. In areas with poor soil, heavier units should be used. Wheel weights are sold to increase weight. Among the features of the product is the width that the block covers during operation. The delivery set includes cutters that can be installed and removed. This allows you to change the working width.
Gasoline is expensive today. It is recommended to purchase gasoline machines for areas with a small area. In large areas, diesel units do a better job. The disadvantages of a diesel engine include a large amount of noise and difficulties associated with freezing of diesel fuel in cold weather.
Various mounted implements are sold for cultivating dacha and farm plots. They are designed for cultivating the soil, for cleaning the territory, for watering, for moving goods, for planting and harvesting crops.
Walk-behind tractor
Using this device, you can also quickly cultivate the soil, but its functionality does not end there, since the walk-behind tractor is also intended for other agricultural work. With its help you can mow grass, plant and harvest potatoes. In addition, the walk-behind tractor is capable of digging and hilling the soil, as well as removing crops from the garden.
Drawing a conclusion from the above, we can say that a walk-behind tractor is a more functional device than a cultivator. Currently on the market you can buy walk-behind tractors with a wide variety of functionality - with knives designed for digging ditches, with headlights that allow you to work even at night, with electric start, and others. Depending on the number of additional devices, the price of the devices varies.
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Features of cultivators
Cultivators also have their own characteristics. Their main purpose is to cultivate the land by cultivation. As a result, weeds are destroyed, the soil becomes loose and saturated with oxygen. A small cultivator works well in flower beds.
It is necessary to consider what a cultivator is and what types it comes in. Main varieties:
- lightweight products;
- medium cultivators;
- heavy units.
The weight of lightweight devices does not exceed 30 kg. They are designed for processing small areas (up to 10-12 acres). The averages are calculated for plots of 45-50 acres. They weigh approximately 90 kg. Heavy units process areas of more than 50 acres. Their weight is about 100 kg.
Motor cultivators run on gasoline or electricity. Electric machines are easy to operate and do not require special care. More complex gasoline units. They require constant monitoring of the oil and fuel levels in the tanks. It is necessary to follow some rules when cultivating a garden with a cultivator:
- before purchasing a unit, you need to familiarize yourself with its main characteristics;
- on a hilly area you can use equipment that works on slopes exceeding 20°;
- heavy and medium-weight vehicles must be equipped with a reverse function;
- It is advisable to have an emergency brake lever;
- The more speeds the unit has, the more convenient it is to work with it.
A correctly chosen device always keeps the garden in order.
general information
A plow is the most important attachment for a motor cultivator, since with its help you can not only plow an already developed area, but also raise virgin soil. However, its working part is only capable of turning away layers of soil. The design of the tool is extremely simple:
- dump;
- ploughshare;
- field board;
- heel;
- stand with holes for adjustment.
The working part consists of a ploughshare, that is, it cuts the top layer of soil and feeds it to the dump and dump (turns over the layers).
Using a plow, you can also make furrows for planting potatoes. Some believe that in this case the kit should also include a hiller, however, this is a misconception. It is enough to simply make an idle pass with the plow next to the open furrow. It will simply result in twice as many furrows, but when the soil is dry and light, such actions will not take much time.
In order for the motor cultivator and plow to work quickly, it is necessary to correctly install and configure this equipment. The plow is installed using a hitch attached to the rear of the motor unit. It can be universal or built-in, however, its appearance is not critical for installation. It is necessary to take into account the fact that universal fastening provides certain advantages. So, you won’t have to worry about the model of mounted units when purchasing.
In order to attach the plow, it is necessary to install it and the motor cultivator on a raised platform. If there is no suitable terrain, several bricks can be used.
Then the plow hitch must be attached to the machine’s towbar so that both holes clearly coincide. After this, fasteners are inserted into them, most often in the form of a bolt, which is carefully clamped. You should not do this completely, as the tool still needs proper adjustment.
Popular models of cultivators and walk-behind tractors
There are a lot of similar equipment sold in stores. To know which models are the most popular today, let’s take a look at some of them. Lightweight walk-behind tractors are equipped with an engine power of up to 5 hp. With. This technique is not suitable for working with a plow. It is designed to work in a small area. A middle class car is heavier and more powerful. Its cost is higher. A heavy walk-behind tractor weighs up to 200 kg. A seat is attached to it. Heavy machines include Profi PR 1040E. This mini tractor has a 600 cm³ engine. Its power is 10 hp. With.
The large weight (300 kg), size and cost (over 100 thousand rubles) do not add to the popularity of the unit. Our gardeners most often purchase other equipment, including:
- Neva MB-1B-6, OFS. Consumers have been using this unit for a long time. He doesn't have any transmission problems. Spare parts are sold in stores. Replacing them is not difficult. The engine runs on gasoline and has a power of 6 liters. With. The price of the product is about 46 thousand. Reviews from owners indicate that after 300 hours of hard work the power does not drop. The machine is maneuverable, works both in the garden and for transporting goods. The model is equipped with headlights and a three-speed transmission.
- Agate KhMD-6.5, weight - 85 kg. The diesel engine develops a power of 6.5 liters. With. Gear shifting is done from the handle. Advantages of the model: good traction, low gear. Disadvantages: manual start, few functions performed. Cost - 30 thousand.
- Belarus 09N-01. The device is widely used among gardeners. Production started in 1991. Many years of operating experience allowed us to get rid of all the shortcomings. The gasoline engine is equipped with a transmission with two rear and four forward gears. There is a locking differential and a power take-off shaft. The machine is reliable, powerful, with good efficiency and high quality assembly. It costs about 80 thousand.
You can purchase additional attachments for walk-behind tractors to perform various jobs: plows, cutters, hillers, potato planters, seeders, waste shredders, trailers, mowers, tedders and other devices.
What types and classes of cultivators are there, their differences.
Currently, there are many manufacturers that offer a large selection of different models of soil cultivation equipment. Different models of cultivators differ in their technical characteristics and design, so their ability to cultivate the land also differs greatly. Based on their technical characteristics and capabilities, equipment can be divided into three classes of machines.
- A class of lightweight and inexpensive machines for small and light work.
- Middle class machine for a large volume of work on the site.
- A class of heavy machines for a large volume of various heavy work.
Light cultivator class, their features.
The light class includes machines that do not have high technical characteristics, have small dimensions and weight. Therefore, they have limited opportunities for work, allowing you to cultivate small individual plots of land and not the entire plot. Also, such a cultivator can cultivate the soil to a limited shallow depth. You can choose this technique if you need to cultivate a small area for flowers, ornamental plants, etc. It is not expensive, so it will not cost you much if you decide to buy such a cultivator.
Class of medium-sized motor cultivators, their advantages.
The class of medium machines includes cultivators that have higher characteristics, a much more powerful engine (about 4 - 6 hp), significantly larger dimensions and weight (about 40-50 kg). Therefore, these machines provide greater possibilities for working in the garden. They have a higher processing speed and therefore allow you to quickly process the entire area of the garden plot. They also provide the necessary depth of soil cultivation for various agricultural purposes. A model of this class is necessary to perform any work on the site
Class of heavy cultivators, their features and capabilities.
Classes of heavy cultivators are designed to perform heavy types of work on a large scale, for example, when you need to plow with a plow. An important difference between such machines is the presence of several shaft rotation speeds and a low gear, which allows you to operate with maximum effort. This technique is suitable for working on a large plot of land where the need often arises. Such machines have a heavier weight, at least 60 kg. The price for such a cultivator is significantly higher than for machines of the two previous classes. Therefore, there is no need to buy such equipment if you need to work in a regular garden plot. And the heavy weight of the machine will most likely create inconvenience if you need to plow a small piece of land on your site.
Walk-behind tractor or walk-behind cultivator - which is better?
More and more often, mechanization means are coming to the aid of summer residents, helping to solve labor-intensive and routine tasks. Every spring, the characteristic roar of engines is heard in dacha plots as people plow their plots with walk-behind tractors and motor-cultivators, preparing the soil for planting crops. If you can’t imagine a holiday in the country without growing potatoes and snacks, a walk-behind tractor or motor-cultivator will become your indispensable assistant in spring and autumn. How to choose the right walk-behind tractor - this will be discussed in this article.
The difference between a walk-behind tractor and a cultivator
First of all, you need to know how a walk-behind tractor differs from a walk-behind cultivator. The main difference is that the walk-behind tractor performs all operations while moving on its own wheels. The wheels are “mounted” on the power axle, and all attachments are driven by the power take-off shaft.
It is easier to work with a walk-behind tractor than with a motor-cultivator - you set the soil cultivation depth, engage the clutch, and then the device does everything itself, your task is only to correct the direction of its movement.
The motor-cultivator does not have driving wheels and the cutter is attached directly to the power axis. When working with a motor-cultivator, great effort is required, however, it is significantly lighter and cheaper than a walk-behind tractor.
First of all, when choosing a motor-cultivator/walk-behind tractor, you need to decide exactly what functions you need. In the basic configuration, almost all units can perform plowing and loosening of the soil.
For additional money, you can purchase attachments for hilling, digging up potatoes, processing narrow rows, plowing with a plow, transporting a trailer, and much more.
An important point is that some single-speed motor cultivators are equipped with wheels with a diameter of 20-30 centimeters, which are placed on the power shaft and at the same time the possibility of plowing with a plow, planting and harvesting potatoes is declared.
Keep in mind that at a shaft rotation speed of 115-150 rpm, the speed of the motor cultivator will be about 10 km/h (this is 2 times the walking speed) - you will have to run after the motor cultivator. There can be no talk of any plowing with a plow, much less harvesting potatoes. To perform these operations, a reduction gear is needed.
Keep in mind that when choosing a walk-behind cultivator/walk-behind tractor, you need to take into account the size of your plot. Often, in small areas, every square meter is occupied and pinpoint precision is needed when cultivating the land. Under these conditions, a large-sized unit is inappropriate - you get an analogy with an elephant in a china shop.
Some motor cultivators have reverse speed, or reverse. This is a very convenient thing, especially when processing areas of complex shape. If there is no reverse, you will have to carry the cultivator manually. After several hours of such work, your back is guaranteed to ache. For walk-behind tractors, reverse gear is required.
Decide on the cutting width of the cutter. The wider the grip, the faster the processing. If you need to cultivate large areas, it is better to purchase a motor-cultivator / walk-behind tractor with a working width of 50-80 cm. To cultivate areas of up to 20 acres, you can stop at a working width of 36-40 cm. Keep in mind that “wide” units do not have the ability to process row spacing . A motor cultivator with a working width of 36-40 cm can process row spacing with a width of 16 centimeters using a special cutter.
When choosing engine power, it is better to be guided by the principle of reasonable sufficiency. As power increases, the dimensions of the unit usually increase. For a small area, a lightweight walk-behind tractor with a 3.5-4 hp engine is preferable. As a rule, the unit is small in size, which allows not only plowing the area for potatoes, but also loosening the soil around apple trees, cultivating row spacing, etc. A medium or heavy, and therefore powerful, walk-behind tractor/motor-cultivator will simply be cramped in a small area.
The choice of the country of origin of the unit is now practically not worth it - the vast majority of motor cultivators/motoblocks are produced in China, at least in the budget segment. Naturally, if possible, it is better to buy a “white-assembled” unit, but such offers, as a rule, are only available in the top class.
We consider it our duty to warn you against purchasing motor cultivators/motoblocks in self-service hypermarkets. As a rule, units sold in such stores do not undergo pre-sale preparation; they are sold in the form in which they came from the factory. There is no talk of any adjustment or configuration.
A walk-behind tractor with an unregulated carburetor may stall at idle and not develop full power during operation. It is quite possible that if you bring such a unit to your site several tens of kilometers away, you simply will not be able to start it (there is such a bitter experience!).
If you do not have experience adjusting the carburetor, you will most likely have to take the unit to a service center. It is better to buy motor cultivators in specialized stores, which also provide service and warranty service.
What power to choose a walk-behind tractor or a walk-behind cultivator
When choosing a device based on power, it is customary to focus on the area of land to be processed. The concept of “processing” refers specifically to plowing - work that can be performed by both a walk-behind tractor and a motor-cultivator.
If a person is a simple summer resident who primarily cares about the aesthetic pleasure received from relaxing on his own plot, and his concerns do not go beyond planting flowers of annual plants and caring for the lawn, then he does not need a walk-behind tractor for his garden. To loosen the soil superficially on a couple of acres from time to time, a light or ultra-light cultivator is quite sufficient.
Summer residents should also take a closer look at electric models of cultivators: they are cheap, easy to operate, and they weigh much less than complex analogues.
True, their power is not enough for deep plowing and raising virgin soil, but this is not required. The only serious drawback of electrical devices is the presence of a wire, which greatly interferes with operation.
One of the main advantages of electric cultivators, including ultra-light ones, is their high maneuverability, which allows them to be used in limited space - for example, in a greenhouse. Due to their light weight and dimensions, electric cultivators are indispensable for solving such problems.
When carrying out large-scale agricultural work, the goal of which is to obtain a high yield, it is necessary to use either a powerful cultivator or a walk-behind tractor. On plots of 4-8 acres, it is advisable to use a 3.5 hp unit. with a grip of 60 centimeters, from 9 to 12 acres - 4 hp, a grip of 80 centimeters, from 13 to 35 acres - 5-6 hp, a grip of 90 cm, one hectare or more - 9 hp, capture – one meter. If you have a plot of larger area, you already need to use serious agricultural machinery, although sometimes on the Internet you can find recommendations for using 6 hp and 9 hp walk-behind tractors to cultivate areas of up to 9 hectares. Among the population, the most popular units are those with a power of 3.5-5 hp. More powerful ones are rarely purchased.
When choosing a device for processing an area, you need to calculate not its entire area, but only the part that is to be processed. You cannot limit yourself to one indicator; you need to take into account the entire list of manipulations that the block or cultivator must perform. Only a walk-behind tractor with impressive power can plow the ground with a plow to a sufficient depth; the same can be said about hilling and harvesting root crops, for example, potatoes. The vast majority of motor cultivators will not cope with such tasks.
In theory, one can imagine a model of a motor cultivator with a power of several horsepower and a reach of one meter. But in practice, such a unit will very often break down due to excessive loads, and its efficiency will be insufficient. If we talk about a walk-behind tractor, the working width directly depends on the attachments, which must be correctly selected according to the power of the unit.
gearbox device
When choosing a motor-cultivator or walk-behind tractor, you should carefully familiarize yourself with the design of the gearbox - the service life and reliability of the unit as a whole depends on this unit. With the help of this unit, torque is transmitted from the engine shaft to the working devices of the cultivator or walk-behind tractor. In cheap and lightweight models of cultivators, a non-separable gearbox is often installed. Its breakdown leaves the owner no choice - he has to replace the entire unit
engine
One of the main criteria that guides the selection of equipment is, of course, the engine. Conventionally, all engines for blocks and cultivators can be divided into three classes: amateur, semi-professional and professional. The main difference between all three classes is power and engine life - the maximum service life of the engine, which is calculated in hours. Weak engines with a short service life are installed on simple amateur equipment.
Engine type is an important indicator when choosing a motor cultivator or walk-behind tractor. There are two- and four-stroke engine types. The operation of a two-stroke engine, as the name implies, consists of only two strokes (piston strokes), while a four-stroke engine consists of four. The four-stroke engine has a sump for engine oil, which is periodically pumped into the engine as needed, which significantly saves oil consumption. Models with a four-stroke engine are traditionally considered more advanced and, accordingly, they cost more.
Two-stroke engines are weaker, very noisy, and emit a large amount of exhaust gases, since the oil for such engines must be mixed with fuel, which, accordingly, increases its consumption.
Design: how are they different?
In appearance, the design of these units is very similar. Except that the walk-behind tractor looks more solid and larger. Although, some models of heavy gasoline cultivators are not inferior to it in size and weight. So what is the difference between a cultivator and a walk-behind tractor?
To put it very simply:
- The cultivator loosens the top layer of soil. Moves forward due to the rotation of the cutter. With attachments, it hills, flies between rows, and digs up root crops.
- A walk-behind tractor is a self-propelled vehicle with a wheel drive. It can move forward and backward (essentially it is a vehicle). And then, depending on the installed attachment, it does everything that is needed on the land plot. And not only on land. He will remove snow, mow grass, sow and harvest crops and transport cargo.
As you can see, a walk-behind tractor is a much more complex technique. Practically, this is a small tractor, or rather its front half. It’s not for nothing that people affectionately call such a machine a “tractor.” And, even if such a device looks lighter and smaller than a gasoline cultivator, it is still on wheels and has the ability to drive independently, and quickly. It also demonstrates the ability to drive back and, if the wheels are locked, to turn around in a few seconds. The engine of the walk-behind tractor is internal combustion only. There are no electric models, unlike the cultivator. The most powerful units are equipped with water-cooled diesel engines. Light vehicles are usually equipped with a four-stroke air-cooled gasoline engine. Expensive devices have a unique element - a power take-off shaft. It significantly expands the functionality, allowing you to attach complex attachments. We decided to compare the walk-behind tractor and cultivator according to the most important parameters, which will definitely help you with your choice.
Productivity: who has more
High productivity is the prerogative of walk-behind tractors, since their operating speed is incomparably higher. But thinking that this unit is only for large areas is a mistake. The fact is that, like cultivators, walk-behind tractors vary in engine power. The power of a cultivator is, on average, from 1 to 6 hp, and the power of a walk-behind tractor is on average from 6 to 13 hp. Electric cultivator models are characterized by a power of up to 2.5 kW. Therefore, the cultivator cannot compete with heavy and powerful walk-behind tractors in terms of power and productivity. Moreover, if the land is virgin (uncultivated), then only the most powerful soil cultivator can pull it out, and even then it will be an extra load for it, but the walk-behind tractor can handle it without problems.
The cultivation area is also very different: cultivators can work on areas only up to 20 acres, but walk-behind tractors can handle areas over 30 acres. In simple words, the cultivator is ideal for owners of dachas and suburban areas, and the walk-behind tractor will help small farmers in rural areas cope with the tasks.
Control: complexity and convenience
But driving a mini-tractor requires special skills and physical strength. Yes, he performs complex maneuvers and performs tasks unimaginable for a cultivator, but you need to master the science of performing them. In this sense, a cultivator is simpler and lighter. And its dimensions are always more compact. Low- and medium-power models of motor cultivators can be easily transported in the trunk of a car.
To make it easier to operate the walk-behind tractor, manufacturers equip the models with:
- Electric starter. It allows easy starting with the starter key in any conditions.
- Differential lock. One wheel stands still, the other rotates. In this case, the unit easily rotates around its axis without much effort.
Attachments: which ones are installed?
Not every cultivator can work with attachments. There are low-power models with a worm gear that only loosen the soil. Those devices to which attachments can be attached perform separate work: hilling, weeding, harrowing, digging, plowing. However, they need lugs (metal wheels) to increase the severity of the pressure on the soil.
But what distinguishes the “tractor” is that, with the ability to attach attachments, it is a perfect machine. It will perform all of the above tasks. And, in addition, models with a power take-off shaft (PTO) cope well with the so-called “active” hitches. With them they:
- Clean the snow (plough or brush);
- Sow grain (seeder);
- Water the land (irrigator);
- Sweep and wash the street, yard and sidewalk (rotary brush);
- Mow the grass (rotary mower);
- They pierce the lawn to enrich the grass roots with air (aerator shaft);
- They transport cargo to the desired location, weighing 2-3 times more than the unit itself (trailer).
Price: which is cheaper
The design of the cultivator is simpler. The motor, as a rule, is lighter and weaker, which is why this equipment costs less. The difference in price with a walk-behind tractor of similar power is 1.5-2 times.
A heavy six-horsepower cultivator costs about $250, and a 6-horsepower walk-behind tractor of the same power. – 500 USD An electric cultivator can be purchased for around $100, while for a gas cultivator you will have to pay at least $200. Diesel models are even more expensive. Decide what is best to choose based on your financial capabilities.
Motor resource: which equipment is more reliable
Reviews about the reliability of this or that technical device are very different. Overall, this is a relative question. After all, both the walk-behind tractor and the cultivator are equipped with gasoline engines from different manufacturers. If the motor is good, durable and works like a clock, then it will have a longer service life. If the engine is cheap, then the reliability of the equipment decreases several times. In addition, much depends on operating conditions: where and how often the machine operates, what loads it can withstand, what type of soil and size of land plots.
Diesel walk-behind tractors are considered the most reliable and durable. A water-cooled diesel engine has an order of magnitude longer lifespan.
What advantages does a cultivator provide for working in a garden plot?
If a garden or summer cottage plot is used for growing various crops, for example potatoes, then each new season it is necessary to cultivate the soil to prepare it for various crops.
This type of work is the most labor-intensive on the site, especially if it is necessary to cultivate a large area, in which case a garden cultivator is necessary as it can significantly speed up the work. If you carry out such work in the usual way using a simple garden shovel, without using a cultivator or other equipment, you will need to spend a lot of time and effort to achieve the required soil condition. Since ordinary manual labor always requires significant physical effort, and the speed of such manual processing will not be high, especially if the soil is heavy and consists of large pieces that also need to be crushed in order to prepare it. Therefore, many works in the garden performed manually always involve a lot of effort and time. To ensure a higher speed of plowing the soil, it is necessary to use a cultivator, which significantly increases labor productivity and helps save effort and time. Such gardening equipment allows you to increase the processing speed several times; the entire area of the garden plot can be plowed in just a few hours. this is especially important if the area of the plot is large enough and is intended for a specific purpose, for example, for growing potatoes. The cultivator provides high speed plowing of the soil as it has a gasoline engine, which has great power. The powerful unit allows you to quickly cope with the loads that arise due to soil resistance to working plowing cutters. A powerful motor ensures high performance of the motor cultivator, allowing it to work without frequent stops with heavy loads; this is the most important characteristic of the machine, determining its capabilities.
Conclusions: what to buy
Now, understanding what the difference is, you can easily determine by eye where the cultivator is and where the walk-behind tractor is. Which of these units is better cannot be said unambiguously, since each farmer and summer resident has his own area for cultivation and different tasks. For some, a gasoline cultivator is suitable, for others, an electric lightweight device would be the ideal choice, while others only need a functional walk-behind tractor. What to choose depends on the size of the site and priorities. What is most important to you? Lightness, convenience, maneuverability, speed, economy, a wide range of functions?
Some tips for those who doubt their choice:
- If we are talking about beds, flower beds, a vegetable garden on 3 acres, then a lightweight electric cultivator is definitely needed. When loosening in a greenhouse and conservatory, it’s also only him, this is not even discussed, because the room is closed, which means there should be no gases.
- For a vegetable garden remote from the house (6-8 acres), a gasoline cultivator is ideal.
- For a garden of 10-20 acres, you can buy one or the other, look at your wallet and the functions you need. A low-power tractor will cost more, but it will do everything you need in the field, on the lawn, and will become a reliable assistant in the household.
- A plot of 20-50 hundredths can be processed by a heavy walk-behind tractor or cultivator. If the ground is virgin soil, then a wheeled self-propelled unit with a large plowing depth is better.
- Overall field per hectare – no one argues here. Only a functional and high-speed mini-tractor, also known as a walk-behind tractor, can handle such a site.
Walk-behind tractor or cultivator: which is better to choose?
Which is better: a walk-behind tractor or a cultivator? It all depends on the size of the area being treated, as well as the cycle of work.
If the land is about a hectare, it is better to opt for a self-propelled heavy walk-behind tractor, which can be used to perform various jobs and transport crops. It will also allow you to transport various cargo.
If the area is 20–50 acres, you can purchase a heavy cultivator or walk-behind tractor. A plot of land up to 20 acres can be cultivated with either a walk-behind tractor or a cultivator.
It is advisable to cultivate flower beds, flower beds, beds, and soil in closed greenhouses with light and medium-sized cultivators with an electric motor.