Texas Hobby cultivator review of models, characteristics, possible malfunctions and repairs

The Hobby motor-cultivator is a representative of the line of small-sized models for cultivating soil in small areas from the Texas company. All models in this series are equipped with gasoline engines from leading manufacturers of power units for garden equipment.

The review is devoted to the design, operation, as well as maintenance and repair of models designed to work with light and medium soils. If you are interested in more productive models, it is better to pay attention to the TX series, which is represented by the Texas 601 and 602 cultivators.

Description

The Texas cultivator, despite its American name, is assembled not in the USA, but in Denmark. The brand was founded in 1960 as a manufacturer of gardening equipment. It is noteworthy that all of the company’s assembly capacities are concentrated exclusively in Denmark, which allows us to guarantee the high quality of the products offered and quickly implement new technologies.

The range of products, in addition to gasoline and electric cultivators, includes equipment and tools necessary for caring for a personal plot, including walk-behind tractors, snow blowers, lawn mowers, sweeping equipment, as well as garden vacuum cleaners, portable drilling rigs and submersible pumps.

In all major cities of Russia there are official representative offices of the brand, where you can buy or service Texas equipment.

Run-in

To reduce the number of malfunctions, the walk-behind tractor is run-in. This procedure will allow all the parts to be worked in and adapted to local conditions. During break-in, attention must be paid to the condition of the moving joints, external and internal elements. It doesn’t hurt to check the smoothness of the gearbox shifting, and also check it for noise and extraneous vibrations. Run-in is carried out before the first use of the device, that is, immediately after its purchase. First you need to let the engine idle, and then you can begin to gently load the walk-behind tractor. Various types of work are allowed - hilling, planting and digging up vegetable crops, transporting goods, etc. It is important to remember that the load on the walk-behind tractor should not exceed half of the maximum permissible load. Run-in duration is 10-13 hours. Upon completion, it is advisable to once again carry out a technical inspection of the walk-behind tractor, add oil and fuel, check the condition of the chassis, wheels, etc.

Texas Hobby lineup

The Texas Hobby motor-cultivator is the best choice for working in small summer cottages. Representatives of this series are distinguished by simplicity and reliability, which ensures a long service life, subject to timely maintenance and compliance with the operating instructions.

Let's look at the characteristics and features of the device of representatives of the “Hobby” line.

Series 500

A series of compact devices for seasonal work in small areas.

The advantages of the models include folding handles, which makes them convenient to store and transport, as well as a well-thought-out control system. Users consider the main disadvantage to be the weak frame design, which does not allow working in difficult conditions. As you can see, the devices have almost identical characteristics. The only difference concerns the power units. American-made Briggs & Stratton Quantum engines are installed on B and BR cultivators. Models TG and TGR are equipped with motors of their own production - Power Line TG475 and TG485, respectively. Similar engines are installed on other cultivators in the series - in particular, Texas Lilli and TX motor cultivators.

The index “R” in the model name indicates the presence of reverse gear.

The delivery set includes an instruction manual with a warranty card, as well as a set of cutters for soil treatment. If necessary, it is possible to install additional attachments.

Fuel consumption depends on operating conditions and the attachment used. The average does not exceed 2 l/hour.

Advantages of Texas cultivators

The company gives preference to modern techniques and an innovative approach in the production of garden equipment.

The Texas motor cultivator boasts numerous advantages:

• The cutters have been strengthened, so they can cope with hard soils with compacted clods;
• Certain models are suitable for cultivating large plots of land;
• Thanks to a reliable and powerful motor, the equipment is productive and durable;
• The standard equipment of the cultivator includes six cutters. There is no need for additional costs;
• Chain drive and reverse gear provide the cultivator with excellent maneuverability;
• You can purchase the necessary spare parts in case of a breakdown and quickly fix the problem.

It is worth noting that the units are quite noisy. There is also a risk of reduced performance on soft soils.

Design features

The great demand for Texas equipment is also due to its well-thought-out design:

• The steering wheel is ergonomic with a convenient control panel that allows you to quickly and easily change speeds;
• The rear console is lightweight, which reduces the weight of the unit;
• The equipment operates on a new transport frame and mechanical system that simplifies the control of the cultivator;
• The motor is fixed above the cutters, providing the unit with good balance;
• Transport wheels increase the maneuverability of the cultivator;
• Thanks to foot control, energy is significantly saved during work;
• The front bumper protects the engine from mechanical impact.

Attachments

To expand the functionality, the following types of attachments can be installed on the Texas Hobby motor cultivator:

• Hiller - for loosening dense soil and cutting furrows;
• Rake - for removing debris, loosening and leveling the top layer of soil;
• Scraper - for weeding the area;
• Scarifier – for lawn care;
• Pneumatic running wheels and lugs - for better maneuverability;
• Weighting agents – to increase pressure on the ground for more efficient processing.

Note! The above cultivator attachments are manufactured by Texas.

Purpose

Please note that the 500th model belongs to the Hobby family. Motoblocks of this line are actively used in greenhouses, greenhouses and enclosed spaces. In extreme cases, the machine’s capabilities allow you to cultivate the soil between rows of beds.

In addition, this tool is ideal, for example, for preparing firewood for the winter. So, with the help of it you can trim large branches, saw logs and perform other agricultural tasks. In these business matters, the Texas 500 model successfully competes with Russian analogues.

The design of the walk-behind tractor is so simple and concise that many craftsmen themselves develop attachments for it. For example, some people manage to make a hiller with their own hands, and this way they can save on buying an original part.

The equipment is capable of performing work related to soil cultivation. Moreover, with the Texas 500 walk-behind tractor, the cultivation process itself involves not only loosening the surface, but also mixing the soil with fertilizers. It is important here that all these fertilizers are distributed in advance throughout the treated area.

All Hobby modifications have a worm gearbox, which distinguishes the walk-behind tractor from most competitors.

Let's look at the most common modifications included in the Hobby 500 family:

Features of operation and maintenance

The Texas Hobby motor-cultivator is a fairly reliable and durable device, subject to the rules of operation, maintenance and repair. Let's consider what fuels and lubricants the manufacturer recommends using, features of engine running-in, as well as malfunctions that the owner of the cultivator may encounter during operation.

Fuel and oil

The cultivator engine is supplied without lubricant and fuel. For normal operation, the device requires SAE 30 engine oil and unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 92.

Run-in

Running in a cultivator is an important procedure necessary for grinding in components and parts under working conditions. According to the recommendations of the user manual, the cultivator should be idling for the first hour. Then it is necessary to gradually increase the power to half the rated one.

The manufacturer recommends the first oil change after 2 hours of operation. Then the oil change interval increases to 10 hours. Along with changing the oil, it is necessary to clean the air filter.

Possible malfunctions and repairs

Most malfunctions of Hobby Texas motor cultivators are associated with contamination of the carburetor, clogged air filter, and failure of spark plugs. Another common problem is increased noise when the gearbox operates. As a rule, this is due to oil leakage through the seals. Replacing the seals and then adding oil will help solve this problem.

Daily inspection of equipment will help to avoid most problems or solve them at an early stage, without serious consequences.

Important information! If the owner does not have experience in servicing and repairing cultivators, the best solution is to contact an official service center for professional help.

Video

• Nikolay, Perm region. An excellent cultivator, optimized for tasks of any complexity. This is what imported equipment means. Low fuel consumption, good maneuverability, high load capacity and low cost of spare parts. I've been using it for three years. The equipment is ideally compatible with attachments. For example, I currently have a plow, potato digger, seeder, ground hitch and hitch. It is possible to transport large loads over difficult off-road conditions - largely thanks to the massive toothed wheels. The machine consumes about 2 liters.
• Vasily, Petrozavodsk. Perhaps, I consider Texas 532 one of the best among walk-behind tractors for 25-30 thousand rubles. It has everything you need, and nothing extra. And if necessary, you can buy what you need yourself.
• Ruslan, Kaliningrad. I have long dreamed of such a walk-behind tractor. I purchased a Texas 532 in the basic configuration, with a 5.5 liter engine. With. The gearbox is 2-speed, the gears shift clearly. It has a simple mechanism without any bells and whistles, unlike multi-stage gearboxes. The walk-behind tractor is quite compact, handles and brakes well, and readily reaches a maximum speed of 10 km/h. Due to this, you can quickly and efficiently process the soil, which is necessary for my 30 acres. Getting spare parts is not a problem now; besides, it is possible to order original parts and not Chinese counterfeits.
• Igor, Krasnodar region. Texas 532 is a worthy option for those who need high-quality cultivation of the land without unnecessary dances with a tambourine. The walk-behind tractor is reliable and versatile, and can withstand work well under load, for example with a loaded trailer.
• Yuri, Nizhny Novgorod region. I have owned this cultivator for four years now, during which time I have learned all its pros and cons. For example, this is good maneuverability and smoothness. The downside is the limited load capacity even with attachments. The chassis cannot withstand heavy loads, and as a result the engine stalls. My 50 acres is too much for such equipment. I've used it for a year and it's probably time to sell.

Owner reviews

According to owner reviews, Texas Hobby series motor cultivators are an excellent option for owners of small plots who do not require virgin soil development or high productivity. Users consider the main disadvantage of the models to be the weak design of the worm gear, which is sensitive to soil quality.

Subject to the requirements of the operating manual, the Texas Hobby series cultivator will last no less than devices from leading manufacturers. Service centers located in all major cities of Russia will help solve problems with finding original spare parts at an affordable price and servicing equipment.

Design advantages

The Texas Hobby 500 tg cultivator consists of several important working units that should be highlighted. For example, this is a 4-stroke engine, which is quite powerful in all its modifications. Choosing the right motor is a key prerogative for demanding owners. There are many more nodes that deserve special attention:

• The frame is a connecting link between the other working units. The frame is one of the strongest structural elements of a walk-behind tractor. After all, it is to it that all the components are attached
• In the basic configuration, the walk-behind tractor is equipped with a minimum set of cutters
• Adjustable handle – has a flexible design. You can customize it to your liking to make you less tired at work.
• All controls responsible for gas, brake, gear shift, reverse, etc. are located on the steering wheel.
• The device has a lightweight back. This feature has a beneficial effect on maneuverability and smoothness.
• The 500 Hobby tg model has a motor mounted above the cutters. This increases stability on any terrain and thus improves control. In addition, this arrangement of the engine reduces roll when cornering.
• Engine protection is provided by a special bumper, which keeps the engine intact and safe from external influences.