Hilling up plantings by hand is a long and tedious task, so the idea of a device that would form earthen ridges on the sides of planted plants was quickly brought to life by craftsmen. At first these were manual hillers, but with the advent of walk-behind tractors in our gardens, similar devices appeared for them - first homemade, and then factory-made. Nowadays, there are such a huge number of hillers of various designs and modifications - both factory-made and those made by craftsmen that choosing the best option for a certain brand of walk-behind tractor, for example, the Neva, is often difficult.
Main types of hillers
When deciding which hiller to choose for your walk-behind tractor, you must first decide on the technical capabilities of your walk-behind tractor, and then the type of device you need. For example, for the Neva walk-behind tractor today you can use 3 main options for these devices:
- With fixed working width;
- With adjustable working width;
- Disc hiller.
Each of these options has its pros and cons. The first two options are made in the form of a rake, which cuts furrows in the ground, and a specially shaped ploughshare distributes the cut soil evenly on both sides. In the disk version, the role of the rafter is performed by two disks installed at a certain angle to each other.
Installation and configuration of the hiller
The first step is to couple the device to the walk-behind tractor itself. Then you need to adjust the distance between the bodies and the width of these parts. The width can be adjusted by narrowing and spreading the wings. But the processing width is adjusted with bolts; to do this, they need to be loosened or tightened. You can also move the body for these purposes.
When all parameters are configured, check the location of the housings; they should be at a symmetrical distance from the axis. Otherwise, damage to bushes and tubers is possible. Then you can proceed to operation.
Before hilling, place the wheels of the walk-behind tractor in the middle of the row spacing and deepen the disks the required number of centimeters into the ground. Then begin the procedure. If there is a problem with the angle of inclination, it can be corrected by adjusting the distance between the disks while the walk-behind tractor is operating.
When operating the structure, the following rules must be observed:
- The operation is performed three times per season.
- Hilling with a walk-behind tractor is performed only once; the remaining times are best done manually.
- The first procedure must be carried out when the first shoots appear. The second - after two weeks, the third - when the plant blooms.
- It is not recommended to hill potatoes in the heat, as this is dangerous not only for you, but also for the plant.
- Carry out the procedure after rains, when the soil dries out a little.
- Experienced summer residents advise carrying out work either in the early morning or in the evening, when the heat subsides.
With these tips, you can achieve maximum quality potato processing.
Which option is optimal for the Neva walk-behind tractor?
The option of installing a hiller with a fixed working width on the Neva is the simplest and most cost-effective solution. But it also has a lot of disadvantages: there is no way to change the height of the ridge; in addition, such a device will only be effective if the required row spacing was maintained when planting the plants.
The device with adjustable working width can be easily adjusted to any row spacing between plants. However, its productivity compared to the fixed version is significantly lower, since when working with it, part of the soil falls back into the furrow.
Both types of these hillers can be with one or two bodies, or, as they are commonly called, single-row and double-row. It is clear that the productivity of double-row ones is twice as high as that of single-row ones. But you need to keep in mind that using a two-row hiller for the Neva walk-behind tractor on loam, not to mention clay soils, is extremely undesirable. Still, the Neva walk-behind tractor is not a tractor, and it will be difficult to work with two bodies.
The disc hiller for the Neva walk-behind tractor is the most expensive, but at the same time the most practical option. It makes higher combs, in addition, by moving the discs apart or sliding them together, you can adjust their height. Also, the height of the ridge can be partially adjusted by changing the angle of attack of the disks.
Advantages of a walk-behind tractor with hiller
Cultivating the land with a hiller has a number of advantages:
- after treatment, the plants grow fully and correctly;
- reduces physical stress on a person;
- increases productivity levels;
- ensures high quality agricultural work, which means it increases overall productivity.
Many people who cultivate the soil will appreciate the advantages of this device, and, as it has already turned out, doing it yourself is not at all difficult.
Technical characteristics of popular models of hillers
Double-row hiller OH-2: weight – 4.4 kg. Dimensions – 450x130x45 mm, working width – 300 mm. It is hung directly on the frame of the Neva walk-behind tractor.
Sliding disk hiller: maximum working width – 700 mm, disc diameter – 370 mm, total equipment height – 625 mm, maximum bed height – 30 cm. This model has the ability to adjust the discs in width, depth and height. For aggregation with the Neva walk-behind tractor, a universal hitch is needed.
There are many other models that can also be used to work with the Neva walk-behind tractor - the main thing is that the fastening mechanism matches this particular brand of walk-behind tractor. And the simplicity of the hiller design allows you, taking the factory version as a model, to easily make it yourself. But this is a topic for another discussion.
How to install a hiller on a walk-behind tractor
Installing a hiller on a walk-behind tractor requires correct adjustment of the angle of attack and immersion depth, which should be less than that of the plow.
Before working with the hiller, you should carry out the following work:
- The wheels and hitch should be installed on the walk-behind tractor, then the hiller should be attached.
- The walk-behind tractor is placed on an equal surface, and the hiller is lowered to the ground and secured to the hitch.
- When installing the equipment, it is necessary to ensure that the hiller stand is vertical, which will ensure that the desired angle of attack is adjusted.
- Next, the equipment is lowered to ground level or goes slightly deeper into it so that it is below the supporting surface of the lugs.
You should carry out a test hilling and see: if the equipment goes deeper into the ground, tilt the stand forward, raising the toe slightly. In case of leaving the ground, the stand is tilted back by lowering the toe. It is important to consider the width between rows when adjusting the active parts of the installation.
Advantages of a walk-behind tractor
The spring working day in a peasant farmstead becomes almost around the clock. The heavy manual work of digging up the area for sowing takes up most of the time. By the way, mechanical horses appeared - Mole, Neva and the like. In 2 hours on a Neva walk-behind tractor you can dig up 10 acres of land, freeing up 3 days for other spring or autumn work. The mole is small and nimble, even a woman’s hands can do it, but it is weak and has weak traction. A gift for the villagers was a more powerful universal unit.
The Neva walk-behind tractor is the brainchild of St. Petersburg machine builders. It was created at the Red October - Neva enterprise. Manufacturers have created a simple, unpretentious all-season machine for rural work. Engine power 5.5-7.5 liters. With. provided by reliable engines
- American model “Briggs&Stratton”;
- "Honda"
- Subaru.
The walk-behind tractor is equipped with a double air filter, which makes operation more stable. When turning, the drive of one wheel is turned off and turned “on the heel”. The ability to use other implements for agricultural work makes the walk-behind tractor a universal assistant for a rural resident.
The unit can be purchased and repaired in the most remote regions. The price of the Neva walk-behind tractor is affordable even for people with low incomes. There are 250 stores selling agricultural machinery and 160 service centers in the country. Online stores deliver purchased goods to any corner of the country using mailing lists. Manufacturers produce equipment with a guarantee, but 1% of defects is still inevitable, then the equipment is replaced or a unit is sent for installation. There are no problems with purchasing the necessary spare parts for the Neva walk-behind tractor.
Why do you need an adapter for a walk-behind tractor?
The adapter for the Neva walk-behind tractor is a frame design with a trailing mechanism. A seat for an employee or a box for transporting cargo can be installed on its upper part. With front driving rubber wheels and driven rear wheels, you get a controlled self-propelled mechanism on 4 wheels. The mini tractor can be used for various household works.
Since the Neva walk-behind tractor has 2 hitches, a driver’s seat is attached to one of them. Another unit may be equipped with a hiller or other similar tool. Garden work can be carried out in more convenient conditions.
Varieties of the adapter include the AM-2 model, equipped with a special frame and mechanism for awnings with a lifting lever. The result is a mechanism with a driver, moving at idle speeds up to 10, in the working position - 3 km/h.
Other options:
- assembled dimensions – 1600*750*1270 mm:
- adapter weight – 55 kg;
- wheel track – 65 cm;
- clearance – 27.5 cm.
The APM-350-1 model is used as a seat, or another set of equipment is installed instead of a chair. And then the land can be cultivated with two hillers and two plows at once. It is on this adapter that the body is secured for transporting heavy compact units.
Hay and lawn mowers
Using an attachment instead of a hand scythe will save effort and time. Depending on the profile and levelness of the area, choose a segment or rotary mower.
The segment mower for the Neva walk-behind tractor has a frame equipped with cutting knives. Knives in the form of two plates with teeth receive an oscillating motion from the drive and work like scissors, cutting grass in a horizontal area. The working width is 110 cm, the speed of the mower is 4 km/h. Equipment will provide invaluable assistance when caring for your lawn.
The device has teeth made of hard alloy and even bites occasionally twigs up to 1 cm in cross-section. For safety reasons, the instrument belt is covered with a cover. You can quickly remove and install the canopy, and it is also not difficult to replace the plate with teeth in the event of a breakdown of the cutting device.
It is important to note that the mowing is of high quality even in uneven places, since the field is cleared in two passes. There is a slide at the end of the console that prevents the mechanism from lowering to the ground. Rotary mowers for walk-behind tractors are produced by several factories in the country, type KN 1.1.
The rotary mower for the Neva walk-behind tractor has become more widespread in rural areas. The device consists of a disk or two mounted on a frame in the center. When the cutting surfaces of the disk rotate, everything that gets in the way is demolished. The device is intended:
- mow thick grass;
- work on uneven surfaces;
- mow overgrown bushes, inconveniences.
The cutting mechanism consists of 4 knives secured to the disk with cotter pins. The knives come out of the disc slot under the influence of torque and are retracted when stopped. The grass is laid in even swaths. The mower for the Neva Zarya walk-behind tractor is equipped with two discs rotating towards each other. The swath height is adjustable. But knives quickly become dull or fly out when they hit the terrain. The productivity of rotary tools is lower, the swath width is 80 cm.
For use on a summer cottage in cramped conditions, the Neva-KR-05 mounted rotary mower for a walk-behind tractor is more suitable. It produces equipment for its own walk-behind tractor. The cutting width of only 56 cm allows you to tidy up boundaries and mow the tree trunks.
The use of any type of mower imposes responsibility on the worker for the safety of others and his own. Therefore, it is necessary not only to check the strength of the cutting tool and the tension of the belt, but also the condition of the mowed field.
Cans, stones and other foreign objects can damage the blades and cause injury to the mower operator. Care must be taken to remove children and animals from the risk zone. Work in closed clothing and safety glasses.
During work, you should periodically check the condition of the fastening and tension of the belts. If it is necessary to repair or replace the blade, knife, walk-behind tractor, you must turn off the power.
Models of walk-behind tractors
The first unit was assembled with the domestic model of the DM-1K engine. The engine cylinder liner was cast iron, which significantly increased the service life of the engine. The apparatus was capable of developing heavy soils and even virgin lands. You can still find the Neva MB-1 walk-behind tractor in a rural farmstead.
The modernized walk-behind tractor model is in great demand. Changes:
- a gear-chain reducer is installed;
- an imported engine was used;
- the ability to unlock the left wheel for easy turning on a small area;
- increased idle speed to 12 km/h.
The load capacity of the Neva MB-2 walk-behind tractor became 300 kg, and this made it possible to use a trailed trolley. After modernization, the walk-behind tractor began to be in increased demand, despite a significant increase in cost. Experts appreciated the improved performance of the model:
- increasing the strip processing width in one pass;
- gearbox with gear shift – 4 forward, 2 reverse;
- pulley for transmitting power to attachments;
- presence of a steering wheel;
- increasing the load capacity on a dirt road up to half a ton.
The main tool that comes with the block is reciprocating cutters for loosening the top layer of soil. With increasing power, their grip will double with a loosening layer depth of 35 cm. See how easily the Neva walk-behind tractor works in the video:
There are models MB-23 and MB-3. Model 23 performs the same functions as the MB-2, but has a 10 hp engine. With. and the body became heavier. MB-3 is a light cultivator without mounted implements.
The first model has been discontinued. Which of the proposed assistants the tiller should choose depends on the area of land and the nature of the work.
