The owners of summer cottages are well aware of how important it is to properly prepare the soil for the sowing season. The volume of the future crop, as well as its fertility and agronomic properties for subsequent years, directly depends on the quality of cultivating the land. It remains only to solve the question of how exactly the work activities will be carried out. Of course, the most affordable way is to manually walk with a shovel over the entire area. But if we are talking about a large plot, then this option will not suit everyone. In such a case, a gasoline mini-cultivator, capable of performing the functions of plowing, weeding, loosening, etc., will help.
What is a mini cultivator?
This is a manual unit, provided with a power plant, governing bodies and rotating mills. Designs may vary, but the main feature of mini-cultivators are modest dimensions. The entire cultivator market is divided into three groups - light models, medium and heavy. Of course, in addition to weight and size, belonging to one category or another will determine working qualities.
In this case, light mini-cultivators are considered, the advantages of which include the convenience of maneuvering and moving. A small technical tool can weigh from 10 to 20 on average. This can be a very light machine, suitable for weeding, and a 20-pound universal unit with full rigging in the form of lugs and plows.
Nevertheless, it is not worth placing special hopes on the working capacity of such cultivators. They are optimally suited for the simple tasks of cultivating land in a greenhouse, flowerbed, small kindergartens, etc. Their main advantage from the point of view of operation, perhaps, will lie precisely in the physical ergonomics of handling. If you need a mini-cultivator petrol for women with an easy start, then you should look for it just in this category of models weighing from 10 to 20 kg. Although there are also 6-8-pound models. As for easy start-up, it also corresponds to the concept of convenient control - with this function, the machine starts to work on a soft and smooth start without jerking and strong vibrations.
Features of gasoline models
The type of food is a fundamental characteristic in the choice, since much also depends on it in terms of technical and operational properties. To begin with, it should be noted that gasoline engines do not fit into the same concept of light cultivators. The gasoline engine itself makes the structure heavier, making it more massive. Against this background, of course, electric and battery models are much more attractive, which most manufacturers rely on. For example, noiselessness, relative autonomy, environmental friendliness and lightness are quite significant characteristics for which a rechargeable mini-cultivator is appreciated.
A gasoline unit, however, has many of its own, no less significant advantages. Among them, it is enough to highlight a higher power, complete independence from the outlet, reliability and the ability to equip a wide range of attachments. Speaking of independence in operating conditions at a summer cottage, it is often this type of energy supply that becomes the only possible one. He could compete with battery models, but only subject to the availability of electricity. If we are talking about a long workflow away from home, then there is simply no alternative to gasoline cars.
But in the segment of gasoline models there are many subclasses. The most significant difference is the type of engine. On the market are 2-and 4-stroke machines. The former in their abilities correspond to powerful (for their class) electric cultivators, and the latter are close to the initial level of heavy aggregates. The same difference will ultimately determine how the mini cultivator will be serviced. A 4-stroke gasoline engine implies separate filling of fuel and oil in two tanks, which partly determines its high power potential during operation. Models with 2-stroke power plants mix oil and gasoline in one tank.
Specifications
Evaluate the working qualities of the cultivator should be in many ways. It’s worth starting with weight. It has already been said that light models have a mass in the average range of 10-20 kg. But there is a way out of these limits - it is enough to note the same 8-pound models. Also found and mini-units weighing 30 kg. For comparison, medium and heavy vehicles have a mass of 50-60 kg.
The following are the characteristics that determine the processing capabilities of the target area. Here it should be noted the width of the coverage of the working bodies and the depth. The width of the grip can vary from 20 to 40 cm. In some cases, this value is adjustable. Mini cultivators can reach 25 cm in depth of processing, and this is almost a record for them, which is the weak point of this class as such. Both the small mass and modest power do not allow such models to provide a depth of more than 30 cm, which in itself limits the mini-cultivator in operation. The gasoline engine, with all its power, is capable of providing speed and high speed of movement with high-quality processing, but it does not affect the maximum level of immersion of the cutter.
True, this is not the task of such machines. The lightweight cultivator focuses primarily on maneuverability and work in hard-to-reach areas. Therefore, the number of speeds will be of greater importance. As a rule, even budget light units are provided with two forward speeds and one rear.
Unit Performance
Power potential deserves special attention. An accurate calculation of power will help you choose the best model for working with a specific type of soil. As already noted, light cultivators are not suitable for servicing large areas, but even if we are talking about a modest site with hard soil, then you can not ignore the indicators of motor resources.
The initial level in this class is a gasoline push-pull unit with a power potential of about 1.6 kW. With the help of such models, the farmer can perform such operations as weeding, surface tillage, weed removal, etc. The middle class is a gasoline mini cultivator, the output of which is 4-4.5 kW. Such models are already suitable for full plowing of plots with an area of 4-6 acres.
If you need to service the land with solid soil, then you can not do without a powerful 4-stroke engine up to 6.6 kW. The advantages of this solution include not only high-quality processing of problem soil in areas of more than 6 acres, but also expanded opportunities for working with attachments. As for the latter, high power may be enough to install devices that can cover strips of 100 cm. Of course, the depth of cultivation will be low, but this is enough for planting seeds.
Attachments
Already in the basic configuration, each mini-cultivator is equipped with cutters. Small platforms with a frame structure can be equipped with several milling cutters that implement weed removal and soil loosening. Sometimes users decide to replace the standard nozzle with a more durable and productive one.
Experts recommend purchasing hardened metal cutters that can be used in working with heavy soil. Depending on the design of such nozzles, you can use a gasoline mini-cultivator for weeding row spacing, gently removing unwanted vegetation. Well sharpened cutters, even with small sizes, can also cope with the grinding of clay soil.
Another solution for light cultivators is the hiller. With the help of such equipment, furrows are cut for further planting of cultivated plants. Moreover, some models allow operation in conjunction with cutters. The baking powder nozzle prepares the soil cover, and then the hiller, forming the furrows, follows. However, to ensure coupling, it is recommended to prepare the appropriate spare parts for the cultivator in advance, which will allow you to reliably connect the design of the unit and the hinged hinged block. The same applies to rotary mowers mounted in the rear.
If the cultivator has a sufficient power of more than 5 kW, then it makes sense to use a plow. It will provide an opportunity to penetrate deep into the soil layer, although you should not count on a high speed of work with such an addition.
Accessories and consumables for the cultivator
First of all, work on the cultivator is not complete without protective equipment. To individual means of this kind include gloves, glasses and, if necessary, noise canceling headphones. Although light, low-power models in terms of noise deliver a little discomfort. Next, you should consider the storage of fuels and lubricants that regularly fill petrol mini-cultivators. Reviews from experienced farmers note that plastic cans are best suited for such needs. They are not only more convenient in physical circulation, but, unlike metal containers, also prevent the oxidation of gasoline and oil.
Since the cultivator often incurs intense physical exertion, care should be taken in advance about the reserves of the most worn structural elements. Cultivator spare parts such as spark plugs, gaskets, connecting fittings, sets with hardware, etc. are always in demand on the market. Means for direct manual cultivation of the soil, separate milling cutters, and devices for harvesting, for example, potatoes, may be required in the work process.
Ergomax GC-25E Reviews
Ergomax is well known to professional farmers as a solid mid-level manufacturer of machinery. That is, you should not expect any special delights in terms of reliability and performance, but by general standards and at the basic level of the tasks of an ordinary summer resident, models of this brand are quite capable of their functions.
In particular, the unit is praised for a good option, despite the generally modest working qualities. If you need an inexpensive mini-cultivator petrol for women with an easy start, then you can safely consider this model. The unit is provided with the E-start lightweight launch system, which is implemented at high damage, does not fail and allows you to easily control the design.
The weak point of the cultivator is the presence of a 2-stroke engine. The downside is low power at 1.3 kW. As the owners of the model, with such potential, it is possible to perform only surface loosening, weeding and hilling on soil prepared in advance for this. For serious plowing, the gasoline mini-cultivator GC-25E is not suitable - unless it is a very small area, but in this case the operator will have to suffer in the process.
Reviews on the model Carver T-300
According to reviews, this is one of the best cultivator models in its class. The unit turned out reliable, light, small and at the same time productive. It has a capacity of 2 liters. from. and a collapsible design - this makes it possible to easily move equipment in the trunk of a car. What is even more interesting, the prices of gasoline mini cultivators for gardening with the same characteristics vary in the range of 10-15 thousand rubles. In this case, Carver offers its car for 9-10 thousand, which cannot but add to the attractiveness of the model.
But there is also a reason for reflection before buying this device. Among the shortcomings, the owners indicate a shortage of spare parts in the domestic market. And although the model is characterized as hardy and durable, technical support cannot be dispensed with. In this sense, it is enough to note complaints about the gearbox and overheating of the power plant. However, if you use the petrol mini cultivator Carver T-300 in the gentle mode in accordance with the instructions, then the moment of the upcoming repair can be postponed for a long time.
Mantis Kioritz Deluxe Model Reviews
The manufacturer Mantis shows an example of how great the value of high-quality professional equipment can be. Even with a low power of 1.1 liters. from. the model effectively copes with its tasks. As the owners note, the Mantis petrol mini cultivator can be safely used for cultivation, cultivating, processing row-spacings and weeding. The rotation of the cutters at a frequency of 240 rpm provides high quality cultivation without the burden on the user.
By the way, thanks to the Fast Start system, both women and older people can control this machine. The undoubted advantage of the device is the reliability of the element base. But the prices for a gasoline mini cultivator for summer cottages from Mantis are also considerable - this modification is available for 36-37 thousand. And according to many users, such a payment fully justifies itself.
Conclusion
The purchase of agricultural machinery is an important and responsible decision. Before proceeding with the analysis of the above selection parameters, it is worth answering a number of questions. For example - what type of soil prevails on the site, what is the area of the garden, what types of processing will the machine perform, and who will work with it? After that, you can proceed to a comparison of the requirements and technical data of specific models. Perhaps other selection criteria will appear. Among them there may be requirements for the stylistic performance of the cultivator, additional options, the presence of protective systems for the engine, etc.