A walk-behind tractor is an indispensable assistant for any summer resident or gardener. It allows you to independently prepare the land for planting vegetables and eliminate weeds. The walk-behind tractor can be gasoline or diesel. The latter, due to its good traction, is suitable for cultivating hard, difficult to loosen soil. Let's talk in more detail about the difference between a diesel walk-behind tractor and a gasoline one and how to choose one.
Design and principle of operation
The diesel walk-behind tractor consists of the following parts:
- frame;
- engine;
- gearbox;
- PTO;
- handles with controls;
- wheels;
- equipment for loosening the soil.
The principle of operation of the technology is very simple. The diesel engine drives the wheels and the loosening attachment. The operator of the device, leaning on the handles, pushes it forward with a slight tilt. As a result, the nozzle comes into contact with the soil and begins to loosen it. The movement from the engine is transmitted to it using a gearbox.
Despite the weight, a walk-behind tractor is much easier to work with than a manual one. This is due to the fact that it is partially driven by a motor.
Some models can also be equipped with attachments. In this case, the design includes a power take-off shaft. It is with its help that energy is transferred to such equipment.
Run-in
This is a very important stage in the operation of the mechanism, and it cannot be neglected. If you suddenly decide that you don’t need such an element, we hasten to disappoint you that in this case your unit may simply burn out.
Attention! Don't accelerate sharply at the very beginning. This can cause overload, and the equipment may break down prematurely. If you value your device, treat this process with the utmost seriousness and caution.
Let's get down to the process itself. It should go slowly, without fuss. For the first couple of hours, use the walk-behind tractor at low power so that the mechanism can adapt to robot mode. If you use the following rules for running in a walk-behind tractor, then you will not be in any danger:
- fuel quality and regular replacement are the key to efficient engine operation;
- After this, be sure to check the oil level in the oil drum. Top up if necessary;
- It's time to start working with the walk-behind tractor. You need to start with medium power and then change gears. This way you will know if the engine is running well. And at the same time you will begin to get used to the device and its control;
- the final step will be to check the performance of functions - cleaning, mowing, plowing. The main thing is not to overdo it and not to do more than what is allowed in the operating rules.
Varieties
Depending on the ability to connect attachments, equipment can be:
- with power take-off shaft;
- without power take-off shaft.
Depending on weight and power, units are divided into:
- ultra-light;
- lungs;
- average;
- heavy.
Ultralight equipment includes small-sized and not heavy (up to 20-25 kg) devices. They are ideal for processing summer cottages with an area of 10-15 acres. The main advantage of this type of equipment is its compactness, which facilitates storage and transportation of the unit. Also, ultra-light units are very maneuverable and easy to work with. They are well managed.
The lungs have a relatively small weight (up to 50 kg) and are usually no more powerful than 5 l/s. They are able to perform a small amount of work with not very intense loads. They overheat quite quickly. Because of this, they are most suitable for summer cottages and small household plots.
Expert opinion
Kuznetsov Vasily Stepanovich
Due to its power, the result of the light and ultra-light unit is close to the result of manual tillage with a shovel.
Medium diesel walk-behind tractors have greater weight (up to 100 kg) and an engine with a power of up to 8 l/s. Often their design provides for reverse gear and the ability to change gears. Designed for processing large areas of land. They cope well with loads and loosen hard soil well.
Typically, medium-sized devices in the category of equipment are equipped with a power take-off shaft, which allows the use of various attachments. It is most often absent on the lungs.
In essence, they are a two-wheeled mini tractor. Typically, the power of such equipment is 10 l/s or more, and the weight exceeds 100 kg. They have good performance, are quite durable, and all models allow the use of attachments. Thanks to this, they are well suited for cultivating large plots of land, including professional cultivation on farms.
Depending on the type of engine cooling, walk-behind tractors can be distinguished with:
- air cooled;
- water cooling.
The first type has special ribs on the cylinder into which air is forced. This is a simple design that rarely breaks and is cheaper. The second has a cooling system similar to that of a car and uses antifreeze. They are more expensive, but are much less likely to overheat.
What kind of cooling does your walk-behind tractor have?
AirWater
The equipment can start:
- manually;
- using the starter.
The transmission of the unit can be:
- belt;
- chain;
- gear
The manual option is less convenient, but somewhat cheaper.
Belt transmission is the cheapest and easiest to maintain. However, under heavy loads it slips and the belt stretches over time.
Chain transmission is more reliable. The gear type is considered the most effective and reliable. It is installed on heavy machines that are subject to significant loads.
The wheels of the unit can be:
- pneumatic - the traditional version with tires inflated with air;
- monolithic - instead of pneumatic tires there are monolithic ones, without air inside.
The first option is easier, but has slightly worse cross-country ability. The second one goes better on virgin soil, but has more weight.
Reviews
An analysis of reviews from owners of popular models of heavy diesel agricultural units shows their main pros and cons. Let us consider in detail the opinions of users of the following walk-behind tractors: CROSSER CR M10, Weima WM1100BE and Khoper 1100 9DS.
- CROSSER CR M10 - the model is characterized by high power, which helps farmers cope with large areas. As users note, this walk-behind tractor is an indispensable thing in the household, as reliable as a “wall.” The car consumes diesel economically, runs stably, and starts easily thanks to the electric starter. The disadvantages of the walk-behind tractor include the fragility of the gearbox housing, difficult handling, the fragility of some mounted and towed devices, as well as a rather high cost.
- The Weima walk-behind tractor WM1100BE, as the owners note, is indispensable on a plot of 30 acres or more; you can connect various attachments or any universal hitch to it, and everything else can be connected to it. Disadvantages that stand out during operation: lack of low gears; Sometimes a weight of 160 kg is not enough to plow heavy virgin soil, and weights have to be installed on the unit.
- Hopper 1100 9DS is a powerful and reliable walk-behind tractor, which is loved by many for its effective “raising” of virgin soil and processing of heavy rocky soils. One of the important advantages of the unit is the worm gearbox with bevel gear. Disadvantages: unfinished attachments (lawn mower, milling cutter), loud noise and vibration feedback to the steering wheel during operation.
To understand which is best to choose a heavy-duty diesel walk-behind tractor for specific tasks, study video reviews of equipment, read recommendations from professionals and reviews with real photographs on specialized forums (for example, Mastercity).
Dear farmers, do you use diesel walk-behind tractors, or do you prefer gasoline counterparts?
Pros and cons of a diesel walk-behind tractor
A diesel walk-behind tractor has the following advantages compared to a gasoline one:
- Good traction . Diesel engines have good traction, which allows them to loosen even dense soil.
- Simplicity . There are no spark plugs in a diesel engine, and there is no need to rebuild the carburetor. This simplifies operation.
- Cheaper fuel . Diesel fuel is slightly cheaper than gasoline.
The main disadvantage of diesel technology is its price. The unit can cost several times more than a gasoline one.
Motor Sich MB-9DE 9 hp.
Photo: https://market.yandex.ru/
The device is designed to work with a trailer and other attachments, which allows it to be used at any time of the year when carrying out a wide range of agricultural and utility work. Due to its heavy weight it is universal. Easily passes over any soil and covers a wide strip of land.
Diesel walk-behind tractor MB-9DE 9 hp.
Advantages:
- beautiful appearance
- heavy weight
- sustainability
- powerful engine
- good maneuverability
Flaws:
- poor maneuverability
- expensive components
Selection rules
When purchasing equipment, first of all, you should decide on its class and power. The larger the area of land to be cultivated, the greater the load on the walk-behind tractor. This means that the heavier and more powerful unit will be required.
You also need to take into account the width and depth of plowing. Even for units of the same class, they can differ greatly. The wider the loosening strip, the faster the device will process the required area.
If you don’t want to limit yourself to simple loosening, then you definitely need to purchase equipment equipped with a power take-off shaft. This makes it truly universal.
You also need to decide on the transmission. For small areas that will not create a serious load on the device, a belt is also suitable. For more complex tasks, it is better to choose a chain or gear type.
Expert opinion
Kuznetsov Vasily Stepanovich
If possible, it is better to check the equipment (or a similar model) directly in the store. This will allow you to see how it works, as well as identify shortcomings and defects in advance.
Before purchasing, be sure to inspect the unit for build quality. Everything should be well connected to each other, there should be no backlash, loose bolts and similar problems.
CENTAUR 1010D+MILL
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Look for a heavy diesel walk-behind tractor - the Centaur 1010D model effectively complements the rating of the best. This is the most powerful option in the Belarusian line. She is distinguished by high endurance and strength. Virgin land? This is no longer your problem. Any soil turns into soft and well-developed soil under its pressure. Centaur 1010D is capable of cultivating an area of up to 2 hectares without much effort. The model is surprisingly inexpensive and costs almost half as much as its analogues. It features high performance and maneuverability.
Diesel walk-behind tractor GRQ-12e 12 hp.
Advantages:
- high performance
- relatively low cost
- ease of operation
Flaws:
- quite high fuel consumption
Best models
Let's look at the 5 best diesel models that are available for purchase today.
Masteryard QUATRO JUNIOR DIESEL TWK+ 3500360601
A relatively inexpensive medium-sized walk-behind tractor equipped with a diesel engine with a power of 5.5 l/s.
Ideal for small summer cottages and garden plots. The model costs about 50,000 rubles. Model weight – 84 kg. Despite its compact size and relatively light weight, it provides a loosening strip width of up to 90 cm - everything is the same as in “adult” models.” The parameter is adjustable.
There are 2 more width positions - 30 cm and 60 cm. The maximum loosening depth is 32 cm.
The transmission is belt, but for a unit of this class this is enough. Start - manual. However, at such a low cost, this can be forgiven. There are 3 speeds, one of which is reverse. Wheel diameter – 10''.
Installation of attachments is possible.
"Ugra" NMB-1N16
Inexpensive, but high-quality average unit of domestic production. The cost of the model ranges from 60,000 to 65,000 rubles.
The engine power of the device is 4.4 l/s, and the weight is 85 kg. This is quite enough for processing small and medium-sized plots of land.
The processing width is 70 cm, not adjustable. Plowing depth – up to 33 cm.
Transmission - belt. Installation of attachments is possible. There are 3 forward and 1 reverse gears. The engine starts using an electric starter. Manual start is also possible.
LIFAN 1WG1300D 00-00000708
Diesel walk-behind tractor made in China with a 10 l/s engine. The cost of the model on the Russian market is approximately 90,000 rubles.
The model weighs 135 kg and is quite compact in size. Despite its small dimensions, it is capable of providing a plowing width of up to 170 cm. Not every walk-behind tractor of this class can “boast” of this.
The width is adjustable and can be reduced. The minimum possible value is 80 cm. Loosening depth is up to 30 cm. Installation of attachments is provided.
SCOUT 15 DE
A heavy walk-behind tractor designed for cultivating large plots of land. The motor power of this model is 15 l/s, and the weight is 310 kg.
SCOUT 15 DE is essentially a mini tractor. Although the controls are similar to those of a traditional walk-behind tractor, operation is possible from the seat, which is located in the rear. If necessary, it can be dismantled. In this case, SCOUT 15 DE will turn into a traditional unit, the operator of which follows the machine on foot.
The engine is four-stroke, with full water cooling. There is an electric starter. Belt transmission). There are 6 speeds for forward movement and 1 for reverse movement.
The delivery set includes a rototiller. It is possible to purchase and use additional attachments.
SCOUT 15 DE is used for:
- hilling;
- weeding;
- watering or spraying;
- hay cutting;
- harvesting potatoes.
It is possible to install a special auger attachment that can remove snow.
The width of the hilling strip is 1 m. The depth is adjustable, the maximum value is 17 cm.
The cost of the model is about 120,000 rubles. This is quite a bit for such a functional device.
comparison table
When choosing a suitable model, it is necessary to take into account the area of the site, soil characteristics, on the basis of which the optimal processing width and motor power are selected. The larger the diameter and width of the wheels, the more passable they will be, and the greater weight will not allow the vehicle to bounce on particularly hard soils.
| Model | Processing width, cm | Engine power, hp | Wheel height/width, inches | Weight, kg | Average price, rub. |
| Carver MT-900DE | 80-120 | 9 | 12 / 5 | 140 | 59 400 |
| CHAMPION DC1163E | 60-110 | 5,85 | 10 / 4 | 141 | 59 800 |
| CALIBER MKD-9E | 80-110 | 9 | 12 / 5 | 135 | 58 600 |
| PATRIOT Boston 9DE | 80-125 | 164 | 63 500 | ||
| CHAMPION DC1193E | 80-110 | 9,5 | 177 | 64 900 | |
| Aurora SPACE-YARD 1050D | 80-120 | 5,44 | 147 | 72 700 | |
| Weima WM1100BE | 80-130 | 9 | 160 | 79 600 |
Let's sum it up
A diesel walk-behind tractor is a device equipped with an internal combustion engine, which is designed for cultivating soil. Available in extra light, light, medium and heavy. Unlike gasoline, it has better traction and greater reliability.
The transmission can be belt, chain or gear. The latter is considered the most reliable. Cooling can be air or liquid. The latter is much more effective.
When choosing, you should pay attention to the class of equipment, its power, width and depth of plowing, and build quality.
FAVORITE ZID 6.0 DIESEL
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Don't know which diesel walk-behind tractor is best to buy? We present to you a very successful unit for home and garden - Favorite ZiD 6.0. A very lightweight walk-behind tractor, ideal for small areas. This is a beautiful, ergonomic and efficient model that requires minimal effort to operate. Fuel efficiency is another plus, as is low cost.
Diesel walk-behind tractor Favorite (173F) 6 hp.
Advantages:
- economical and safe
- maneuverable and reliable
- compact, easy to use and store
Flaws:
- The battery will have to be purchased
- effective only on soils of medium density and weediness
Fourth place – Motoblock Salyut 100 X-M1 Honda GX-200
Our rating of the best walk-behind tractors this year includes models of both domestic and foreign production that can effectively perform a wide range of soil cultivation tasks. Despite the fact that there are various brands of walk-behind tractors on the market, domestic manufacturers are in the lead because they offer high quality at a reasonable price. All this fully applies to the Salyut 100X-M1 walk-behind tractor, which was ranked fourth in the ranking of the best.
How to choose a walk-behind tractor
Before buying a walk-behind tractor, you need to ask yourself a few questions:
- for what purposes the equipment is purchased;
- what is the size of the cultivated area and type of soil;
- Do you need additional attachments?
If a machine is purchased for periodic work on a summer cottage, then you should choose light-class equipment. To develop new plots of land, it is better to purchase a middle-class machine, because tillage will be more productive and will not take much time. To work on areas larger than 1 hectare, you should opt for a heavy diesel walk-behind tractor - it works smoothly and can be used for utility tasks.
Herz DPT1G-135E
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The German Herz DPT1G-135E walk-behind tractor boasts a long service life. One of the reasons for the durability of the unit is the high service life of the power unit. It has sufficient power (8.97 hp) to cultivate soil to a depth of up to 38 cm. At the same time, the plowing width is adjustable in the range of 100-135 cm. Experts liked the versatility of the equipment. The walk-behind tractor is connected to such mounted units as a plow, a pump, a potato digger and a sprayer. An electric starter is used to start the engine; you can also start the engine manually.
Diesel walk-behind tractor DPT1G-135E 8.97 hp.
Advantages:
- high-quality assembly
- multifunctionality
- two launch options
- durability
Flaws:
- small wheels
