To make work in the country easier, forward-thinking craftsmen acquire all kinds of equipment. It is especially recommended to carefully select units for working with soil, since this requires not only annual excavation of the soil, but also loosening, removing weeds, and so on. And in this case, the cultivator will be indispensable.
However, there are so many options that it is difficult to choose the most suitable device. It's important to consider how you plan to use it, in what areas and how often. “KP” will help you - we’ll tell you about the best cultivators for the garden in 2022.
What power should I take the device?
Power directly affects the width of the cutter that will be comfortable to use. That is, the wider the cutter, the more powerful the motor is needed. In turn, the width of the cutter determines how much area can be plowed and in what time. In the table below we have indicated the average optimal power of the cultivator depending on the area being processed. Power is given in horsepower (as the manufacturer often indicates in the product characteristics), but you can easily convert it to kilowatts by simply multiplying by 0.7355.
| Land area | Width of cutters, cm | Cultivator power, l. With |
| Less than 15 acres | 60 | 3,5 |
| From 16 to 60 acres | 80 | 4,0 |
| From 61 to 99 acres | 90 | 5,0 |
| From 1 to 2 Ha | 95 | 6,0 |
| From 2 to 5 Ha | 95 | 9,0 |
Of course, these are only average indicators, and additional factors may influence the choice of cultivator based on power. For example, someone may decide to buy a more powerful device with a smaller cutter width, since they will need to plow compacted soil or virgin soil.
How to choose a gasoline cultivator?
Most summer residents prefer to use gasoline cultivators. They are mobile, productive and functional.
Technical characteristics play a key role in the selection of equipment:
- Gasoline engine type . They come in two-stroke and four-stroke types. Devices of the first type consume more fuel and make more noise, but they are very easy to maintain and repair. Four-stroke engines are more economical and quiet, but if they break down, you won’t be able to repair it yourself.
- Number of speeds and reverse . It is advisable that a gasoline cultivator have at least 2 speeds so that the owner can adjust the operation of the device depending on the density of the soil. The reverse function is also necessary to make it easier to turn the cultivator.
- Gearbox type . The durability of the device depends on the reliability of this part. Chain gearboxes are the simplest and most inexpensive, but often fail. Worm drives are used only in light petrol cultivators and are not suitable for working with heavy soils. But the most reliable is the gear reducer, which has a long service life.
It is also advisable to pay attention to the equipment included with the device. Most models are provided only with a set of cutters, and additional attachments (plow, mower, hiller or a special knife for snow removal) will have to be purchased separately.
What else to look for when choosing
What type of engine is on your gasoline cultivator?
2-stroke4-stroke
- The weight of the motor cultivator is a lightweight unit, convenient to use in small areas, easy to transport in a car, and does not take up much space. But when working on “heavy” soils with large clods of earth, you may encounter difficulties - the mechanized device will bounce, which will force you to specifically load it with additional weight.
- Clutch type - worm gear or chain drive. The first option is not considered suitable for heavy work that takes many hours, but it is suitable for processing small areas. Medium and heavy units are equipped with a chain drive that can withstand loads well.
- The number of wheels, their diameter - small and medium cultivators have 1-2 wheels, heavy ones - at least 2. At the same time, the larger their size, the easier it will be to roll the cart on uneven ground. The weight of large models can reach 70 kg or more.
Processing width – average value for all models – 230-850 mm. You need to focus on the size of the plot and the type of work that will have to be performed. A narrower body may be required to mow complex lawns.
- Delivery set, type of attachments that can be used in conjunction with a motor cultivator - the more different cutters and attachments that are sold with the unit, the less you will need to buy them in the future. To work with rough soil, it is desirable to have special steel wheels with hooks - they will make it easier to plow soil with large clods and prevent the motor cultivator from bouncing during operation.
- Fuel consumption depends on the type of engine and model. Usually the manufacturer indicates underestimated values. But with proper feed settings, you can often achieve greater efficiency, albeit with a decrease in power.
- Brand, warranty period - most manufacturers give 1 year, it is important to clarify whether there are service workshops in the city that service this particular brand.
