Review of the Garden Scout mini tractor range. Specifications, attachments, instructions

Areas of application and features of use of Scout T-15 mini tractors

Actually, it cannot be said that the capabilities of the Scout minitractor are limited to garden plots in agriculture. This equipment can successfully work with fifty types of attachments. And therefore it is suitable for use in landscape design, landscaping works, gardening and park areas, housing and communal services.

An important point is that the frame of the Scout T-15 minitractor is strong enough to work with not one, but several elements of attachments at the same time. The Scout hydraulics (“DIF VT”) work equally correctly with plows, cutters, harrows, and equipment for cleaning and snow removal of areas.

The hydraulic system of the minitractor has four positions:

• Lifting and forced lowering;
• "Floating" mode;
• Fixed state at a given point

The “floating” mode successfully copes with soil cultivation in difficult terrain conditions. Another undoubted advantage, which is noted by the owners of the T-15 Scouts in reviews, is the ability to adjust the track on both the front and rear axles of the mini tractor. You can vary this interval between the wheels from 1 to 1.4 meters.

The tractor transmission is equipped with a locking differential system. Due to this design, the Scout T-15 minitractor is able to turn around in an extremely compact area. One might even say, practically “on the spot.” Which, of course, makes the work much more convenient.

Regardless of the size of the area being processed, its possible cramped conditions and clutter with foreign things. Thanks to the differential, one of the wheels rotates in the opposite direction when turning the mini tractor. By the way, this necessary property distinguishes the Scout T-15 from similar mini tractors with similar technical parameters. Smooth gear shifting is produced by a dry-type single-plate clutch. The Scout gearbox has six forward gears and two reverse gears (3 and 1 x 2).

Technical characteristics of the Scout T-15 minitractor in numbers

• Overall dimensions - 2.45 x 1.22 x 1.25 m;
• Ground clearance - 24 cm;
• Structural weight, without attachments - 540 kg;
• Track size - from 1080 to 1400 mm;
• Wheel formula - 4x2;
• Tire size: front wheels - 5.00″ - 12`; rear wheels – 6.50″ – 16`
• The minimum turning radius is 190 cm.

Basic faults

If the hydraulic pump does not drive the attachment:

1. Insufficient amount of oil (just add it);
2. The hydraulic pump is in the off position;
3. The safety valve is stuck (need to be cleaned).

If there is significant vibration from the Garden Scout minitractor:

1. Low quality diesel;
2. Low quality lubricant;
3. Loose bolts;
4. Incorrect aggregation of attachments;
5. Failures in carburetor settings;
6. Worn drive belts;
7. The contacts are coming off the spark plug.

Engines of the Scout T-15 minitractor and its “brothers”

As power units, the Scout mini tractors use compact diesel engines with a power of (depending on the modification) 9.5; 12; 15 or 24 hp The same or similar motors are also used to equip other equipment: walk-behind tractors, pumping stations and pumps, industrial equipment.

According to most owners, the Scout minitractor is most successfully combined with a four-cylinder one-liter diesel engine of the XT-15 brand. Which, in fact, is the “heart” of the Scout T-15 model. It is characterized by high performance and efficiency indicators, is quite powerful and at the same time quite economical in diesel fuel consumption. This motor is resistant to overheating and can operate stably even in difficult conditions.

The total working volume of the four cylinders of the XT-15 is 998 cubic centimeters. This engine produces an output power of 15 horsepower at 2 thousand revolutions per minute. The arrangement of the cylinders is horizontal. The cooling system is liquid. For lubrication of "XT-15" a gear pump with splashing is used. The weight of the four-cylinder XT-15 engine is 118 kilograms. Overall dimensions are small: 0.75 x 0.5 x 0.5 meters.

PTO type: belt + gear. The engine is driven by a pair of V-belts “B-050” (from 2017 - “B-2980”).

In addition to the XT-15 engine, Scouts are also available with the following diesel engines:

• With a power of 9.5 horsepower and a displacement of 513 cubic centimeters (“GS-101 DE”;
• Power 12 horsepower (“R-195 ANE”, volume 815 cm3);
• Power 24 horsepower (“ZS-1115 NDL”, volume - 1246 cubic centimeters). A modification of the Scout minitractor - Scout GS-T24 - with a 24-horsepower diesel engine has a greater weight - 630 kilograms.

The lineup

The entire range of Garden Scout mini tractors is very large; we will look at the most popular examples:

Garden Scout T12

This is the first and lowest-power model of Scout Garden mini tractors. It is equipped with a 12-horsepower diesel engine with water cooling. T12 is equipped with an electric and manual starter.

The overall dimensions of the Garden Scout T12 are only 214x90x117 cm. At the same time, the vehicle has excellent off-road capability.

The weight of this device is 410 kg, which sometimes seems insufficient. Therefore, experienced owners of the Garden Scout T12 additionally weigh it down with weights.

This model first appeared on the market in the early 90s, but is still in demand. A couple more modifications were developed on its basis:

• Minitractor T-12DIF-VT

This model has an additional roll bar and an improved separate rear and front hydraulic system. The hydraulic pump is equipped with a floating position, which allows the hitch not to bury itself, but to follow the terrain.

• Scout T-12DIF

During the development of this mini tractor, individual components were improved, which made it possible to increase the efficiency of the machine. The delivery set immediately includes a branded plow.

Garden Scout T15

This mini tractor is equipped with a reinforced frame that can withstand the heavy weight of the motor and load. The rated power of the Garden Scout T15 is 13.8 horsepower, and the maximum can reach 18 hp.

This allows the machine to easily handle work with a shovel or any other heavy attachment.

It is worth noting that most small cars were developed on the basis of walk-behind tractors and were not distinguished by special build quality, but this model is already a mini tractor designed for long-term and continuous use.

The weight of the Garden Scout T15 is 498 kg.

For future owners, it is necessary to know how much this car will cost. The price of a new model is only $2,000, and used ones can be found for about 50-60% of the market value.

Garden Scout T18

There are a large number of machines on the market for subcompact mini tractors. Garden Scout T18 differs from its analogues in its reinforced frame design, smallest turning radius (which is especially convenient when working in small areas) and the ability to adjust the wheel-to-wheel distance over a wide range.

Transmission and equipment of the Scout T-15 minitractor

The Scout T-15 minitractor is equipped with a planetary transmission system. The possibility of forced locking of the rear axle differential is provided. The manual gearbox operates according to the “3 forward – 1 reverse x 2” scheme. The clutch is single-disk, dry type, with constant engagement, friction type.

The force necessary for productive work is transmitted from the diesel engine through the power take-off shaft, the rotation speed of which is 1176 rpm.

The maximum load that Scout minitractors can pull is from 1 to 1.8 tons, depending on the modification and engine power. The brake system is double-sided, dry, drum type.

Front and rear side lights are installed on the body of the mini tractor. Along with the Scout T-15, an active soil tiller of the Scout-120 brand is also purchased.

Operator's workplace on the Scout T-15

The operator's seat on the Scout T-15 mini-tractor is spring-loaded, with a backrest tilt adjustment system. Unlike earlier models, now minitractors of this brand have on their dashboard indicators of coolant temperature and engine oil pressure, as well as an ammeter (with an electronic display). And, as before, there are sensors for monitoring fuel levels and battery charging, and a motorcycle hour meter.

User manual

Start of operation

During the first 8 hours of operation, all Garden Scout mini tractors must be run in. During this time, the maximum load on the motor should not exceed half the maximum power. This is done to completely lubricate the parts of the device. The operating instructions recommend changing the engine oil after the break-in period is complete.

Minitractor Garden Scout GS-T12

Conservation

You should not only know the rules for the first start-up, but also for the further use of the equipment. If it is necessary to put the mini tractor into storage, the operating instructions advise performing the following steps:

1. Place the mini tractor in the garage;
2. Drain fuel and oil;
3. Disconnect the terminals from the spark plugs and remove the battery;
4. Release tire pressure;
5. Clean off any remaining dirt and dust to prevent corrosion on the machine body.

Pros and cons of the Scout T-15 minitractor, according to owner reviews

It’s worth noting right away that there are mixed reviews about this technique. And even those who are generally satisfied with their Scout brand housekeeping assistant find some “flies in the ointment” in the big “barrel of honey.” These include assembly errors common to Chinese technology and minor design flaws. Therefore, first we will talk about the disadvantages of the Scout T-15 mini tractors.

Minuses

According to most users, the original drive belts on the Scouts are no good. They are torn and “shaggy” after several dozen hours of work. In this connection, it is best to immediately replace them with “Soviet” ones. Some owners had to rewind the generator themselves already in the first season of operation.

A common thing for Scouts is that the hydraulics are leaking (“snotty”) at all the seams. In principle, nothing terrible, but still unpleasant. Some people also have oil oozing from the seams of the mini tractor engine and gearbox.

Contrary to the assurances of profit-hungry sellers, this mini tractor actually does not have a full-fledged “floating mode”. As well as a fully functioning differential lock. But only a certain “hint” of them. But these functions are positioned as one of the main advantages of Scout.

Some encountered an unexpected problem when starting the engine: it turned out that the flywheel teeth did not align with the starter teeth. You have to open the hood and move the flywheel manually.” The tractor frame is rather weak, but for good reason, you need to strengthen it yourself. The floor, which is held on by God knows what four bolts, often soon begins to sag and cling to the brakes.

Almost everyone complains about the lack of a tensioner on the cutter: “The cutter works very well, but the drive chain constantly breaks due to the lack of a tensioner.” Everyone had to solve this problem on their own, using the “Kulibino” method to invent something, “add on”, etc.

The mounts for almost all mounted guns for the Scout T-15 often break due to poor welding quality. You have to weld new ones yourself. In general, it makes no sense to buy this tractor for those who are poorly versed in agricultural machinery and do not have experience in repairing it themselves. Because, most often, you can’t count on support or real help from Scout salespeople. There is no question of any quality service.

pros

Nevertheless, in spite of everything, people like the Scout T-15 minitractor. “Performs many functions, it is not expensive. (Here is the key word!) In the spring we milled the soil, planted potatoes, in the summer we mowed hay, hauled hay! We transport it on a car trailer.”

Indeed, if you choose between the Scout and the Uralets, then in terms of characteristics these models were very similar, and the price of the Uralets was more than 20% more expensive. In addition, there is a suspicion that the assurance “Urals are produced in Russia” does not correspond to reality.

Among the domestic analogues, there are also mini tractors “Belarus” from the Minsk Tractor Plant. In terms of price, they are also unlikely to be able to compete with the “Chinese”, being significantly more expensive than them. And on the MTZ mini tractor market there are much fewer Chinese “classmates”: “profit” from the sale of “Scouts”, etc. The seller gets much more equipment from China, so it is more profitable to trade in them. By the way, attachments for “Scouts” are available in a very good assortment and cost very reasonable money.

The engine performance of the Scout mini tractors deserves the kind words of the absolute majority of owners. Any of them is very simple, high-torque, productive, works without failures, without fail. He eats little diesel fuel. It starts up perfectly - “I’ve used it to clear snow even at -25 degrees.”

As already mentioned, “popular opinion” recognized the XT-15 engine as the best option, and the Scout T-15 minitractor as the best model of this family. The batteries that come with mini-tractors of this brand have also proven themselves to be extremely reliable and durable.

Operating the tractor is easy and comfortable. The steering wheel is very comfortable and turns easily. The handles are exactly where you need them. Most of the owners, despite the problems with the minitractor, gave it an assessment like “it met my hopes, that’s what I was counting on.”

Cost of mini tractors "Scout T-15" and related models

Currently, the Scout T-12, -15, -18 and -25 models (with engines of the appropriate power, in horsepower) are presented on the domestic market.

Prices for the T-12 start, excluding delivery costs and other additional costs, from 130 thousand rubles; “T-15” – 150 thousand rubles; “T-18” – 180 thousand rubles; “T-25” – 200 thousand rubles. The kit includes a rototiller. If you want to purchase a Scout minitractor equipped with a stationary factory canopy over the operator’s seat, then you will have to pay another 10 thousand rubles for this option.

On the secondary market, used Scout T-15 mini tractors are sold at a significant discount - for 100, 80 and even 50-60 thousand rubles. However, there is reason to believe that these are precisely the specimens that have proven to be of poor quality and problematic in operation. And they can only be acquired by those who are not afraid of difficulties and whose hands have long and firmly “grow only from the right places.”

Comparison of Scout Garden and Fighter

These two Chinese manufacturers of mini tractors are approximately in the same price range. The technical characteristics and diversity of their model range are also similar.

But still, if we compare Fighter and Scout, then the latter is considered to be of higher quality, since Scout brand products are manufactured according to American standards. This is evidenced by the large number of positive reviews on the forums.