How To Set Up A Walk-Behind Tractor For Plowing

Plowing the land with a walk-behind tractor A walk-behind tractor is a universal unit, with the help of which various agricultural works are carried out, for example, planting potatoes. In this material we will talk about plowing with a walk-behind tractor, and about some

Plow settings and plowing:

To correctly set the plow in width, you need to focus on the edge of the plow share, which, for the best cut through the soil and easy dumping of the earth, should be flush with the inner edge of the lug.

To install the plow according to the plowing depth, you need to drive the walk-behind tractor with grousers on supports 10-15cm high. The plow itself must be adjusted so that it is at ground level and touches it all with the base of the share.

To correctly adjust the angle of the plow, at which it will enter the ground, the plow must, when adjusting, stand with its entire base on the ground.

If plowing is unusual for you, then you can pull a cord-shaped landmark in front of the first furrow, since the straightness of the first furrow is very important. Also, to facilitate familiarization with plowing, the first furrow can be made shallower in depth, about 10 cm.

How To Set Up A Walk-Behind Tractor For Plowing

An assistant during plowing will also be a support wheel, which is located to the left of the center of the plow and rolls on untreated soil, preventing the plow from entering deeper into the ground, thereby regulating the plowing depth.

Plowing the land with a walk-behind tractor

Motoblock, a universal unit, with the help of which various agricultural work is carried out, for example, planting potatoes or plowing. In this article, we will talk about plowing with a walk-behind tractor, and some of the nuances associated with this.

Before plowing with a walk-behind tractor, you should install the necessary attachments on it, namely the plow and lugs. Perhaps information on how to make do-it-yourself lugs for a walk-behind tractor will be interesting.

Lugs, essential for plowing, for good traction on the ground, provide the right traction for the job. Normal lugs should weigh as much as possible, so with a low total weight, the walk-behind tractor will slip. If necessary, you can use additional weights by attaching them to the walk-behind tractor. The optimal track width is 55-60cm, this width is optimal for plowing the land.

Next, you should install the plow and adjust it according to several parameters.

A few tips for plowing: Attaching and adjusting the plow

The plow is attached to the machine with various couplings. First, the hitch is attached to the walk-behind tractor using a king pin. The mount should not be strong, with a horizontal clearance of 5-6˚. If the connection is made firmly, when plowing the land, the walk-behind tractor will deviate in different directions due to the uneven effect of the soil on the plow. This complicates the control of the unit.

The next step is to attach the plow to the hitch. Better to do this with an assistant. It is not recommended to tighten the nuts completely so that the plow adjustment for the walk-behind tractor is correct. This is an important operation. In case of wrong actions, the plowing with a walk-behind tractor will be of poor quality. For correct adjustment of the plower, the unit is installed on supports 20-25 cm high. They can be made of bricks or scraps of boards.

Ground hooks are installed on stands and fixed. In this case, the motoblock should not outweigh. Set the plow bed in a position where the heel is parallel to the ground. This can be adjusted with the adjusting bolts. The stands can now be removed and the control handles can be positioned at the level of the operator’s belt.

In the last step, the angle between the ground and the plow end is adjusted. Unscrew the adjusting screw until the plow blade rests on the ground. Then its back must be raised 2.5 cm above ground level. If this is not done, it will be impossible to plow with a walk-behind tractor. The plowing depth can be equal to the height of the supports when adjusting.

How to plow with cutters

Small areas are best cultivated with a cultivator. Instead of a cultivator, walk-behind tractors with cutters are also used. They are included in the package or purchased separately. They are adjusted horizontally. This adjustment prevents the formation of waves from the ground. Processing is done 1 time. After double cultivation, the soil is caked. Saber cutters are often used, sometimes in the form of crow’s feet. The cutters work accurately and with high quality. The disadvantage is their low strength, leading to frequent repairs.

How to plow with a walk-behind tractor correctly

The engine is running and you can start plowing. To get started, the walk-behind tractor is brought out to the site. The boundaries of the first furrow are marked with a taut twine. The control knobs should be turned to the left to operate the unit from unplowed ground. The first furrow is made at low speed. This must be done carefully, without straying from the orientation cord. Having reached the end of the plot, they check the plowing depth. It should be within 15-20 cm.

After that, the right wheel is placed in the furrow, the first gear is engaged and plowing continues. It is easy to use the equipment, the skill develops quickly. If the plowing depth is not satisfactory, the plow must be adjusted. When plowing, you need to constantly monitor the wheel in the furrow, it should not go beyond its limits. The ridge of the earth should be at a distance of 8-10 cm from the previous one. A well-adjusted walk-behind tractor moves smoothly, without jerking. You cannot push him. With the advent of skills, the plowing speed can be increased.

Sometimes the motor overheats. In this case, it must be drowned and cooled. When plowing the soil, it is filled with oxygen. This affects the future harvest. Autumn plowing is useful. Plow with a walk-behind tractor before winter. In the spring, it will remain to dig up some areas in the corners of the garden. For plowing, it is better to use products of the middle and heavy class.

How to choose a suitable walk-behind tractor for plowing a land plot: tips

About 30 years ago, the industry was not engaged in the serial production of motoblocks. They were not in demand on collective farms. The land was cultivated with wheeled and tracked tractors. Later, craftsmen were found who built strange units that arouse the envy and surprise of neighbors. These homemade cars were the first walk-behind tractors. Today, plowing with an industrial walk-behind tractor does not surprise anyone, although envy remains.

Small universal units are used on the plots of farmers, farmsteads of rural residents, dachas. They replace several types of equipment by doing their job. Before purchasing a device, you need to think about its use on the farm.

Starting the walk-behind tractor

Operation of diesel and gasoline engines starts with starting. Many owners of a newly purchased walk-behind tractor have no idea about this process. They do not read the purchase instructions, although they are included with each product. Check the oil and fuel levels first. This is done before each start of the engine.

Two-stroke engines are fueled with gasoline and diluted oil. The proportions of oil and gasoline, the mixing technique are described in the instructions. A-92 or A-95 gasoline is poured into the fuel tank of a gasoline engine. The diesel engine runs on diesel fuel, which is summer and winter. The instruction gives information about the temperature at which winter or summer diesel fuel should be used.

Immediately before starting, the control systems for clutch, reverse, gas, steering are checked. All connections in these systems must move with little effort. To start a gasoline engine equipped with a recoil starter, you need to open the tap on the gas tank. The choke lever is set to the Start position. With the ignition off, 3-5 movements of the starter are performed. Then the ignition turns on and the engine starts. The choke lever is set to the Run position.

If the engine is equipped with an electric starter, starting is easier. The ignition turns on and the engine starts. Gasoline is supplied to the carburetor by an electric pump.

It is more difficult to start a diesel engine. There is air in its power system, which must be expelled by an electric starter. When the air comes out of the tubes and diesel fuel takes its place, then the engine will start. When starting with a recoil starter, open the fuel supply valves, set the gas and press the decompressor. After several strokes with the starter, the decompressor returns to its original position and the engine starts. It is possible to work under load only after warming up the diesel engine.

Choosing a walk-behind tractor for plowing

When purchasing a walk-behind tractor for plowing the land, you need to remember about other work that it is capable of performing. A mechanism with a motor not only plows, cultivates and spuds, but also transports goods, removes debris and snow from the territory, and mows the grass. Watering the beds and harvesting in the fall are operations that are also subject to the walk-behind tractor. Some specimens have a shaft, to which various equipment is connected, capable of sawing and chopping wood, pumping water, and providing electricity. This is the difference between motoblocks and cultivators.

Plowing machines are available in 3 varieties: light, medium and heavy. Products of the middle and light classes are intended for household use. Their weight is in the range of 50-100 kg. They are equipped with 4-8 hp engines. From. Most units have multiple forward and reverse gears. Heavy-duty motoblocks work on farm land. They weigh over 100 kg and are equipped with an engine with an output of over 8 liters. From.

The choice of a mechanical assistant for tillage is related to the number of functions it performs, the area of ​​the site and the type of soil. The denser the soil, the heavier and more powerful the unit will be needed for plowing the land. Its weight must be selected from 95 kg. The best products are equipped with diesel engines. They have a large tractive effort, a high service life, diesel consumes less fuel. But when the ambient temperature drops to 2 ° C and below, the engine starts more difficult.

For a cultivated area with an area of ​​up to 15 acres, a walk-behind tractor is needed with a processing width of 70-80 cm and an engine with a capacity of 3-4 liters. From. For 15-40 acres, an unit with a processing width of up to 90 cm and a capacity of 7 liters is suitable. From. If a land plot with an area of ​​more than 40 acres and up to 1 hectare, it can be plowed with a unit with an engine over 9 liters. From. And a working width of 1 m.

You can purchase a large set of equipment along with the main walk-behind tractor. But it is best to choose the necessary devices: a lawn mower, a motor pump, a snow thrower, a potato digger. A product with a gasoline engine is purchased for snow removal. To transport goods, you need wheels with a diameter of 45 cm. It is good if there are handles adjustable in height.

The most expensive part of a walk-behind tractor is the engine. Domestic units are equipped with imported motors. Saving on the engine leads to frequent repairs that are more expensive than the cost of the engine. High-quality engines are produced by companies:

  • GreenField (Greenfield);
  • Subaru (Subaru);
  • Honda (Honda);
  • Forza (Forza);
  • BRIGGS STRATTON.

All manufactured engines are two-stroke and four-stroke. The latter have established themselves as reliable and economical. When choosing an engine, you should give preference to motors with a disc clutch and a serviceable gearbox. These products are the most functional and reliable. It is better to choose gear reducers. Worm gear systems often overheat during operation and require the unit to stop every 20 minutes.

The best motoblocks of the light type:

  • Salute (Russia) with a Japanese engine;
  • Motoblock Neva MB-3S (Russia) with a Subaru engine.

These machines are suitable for cultivating land on small farms and household plots.

Middle class products:

  1. Cayman (France) with a 6 hp Robin-Subaru engine. From. It has gears: forward 2, back 1. Plowing depth 32 cm, width 90 cm.
  2. Neva and Cascade are produced by domestic manufacturers and are equipped with the American Briggs Stratton engine.
  3. Centaur (China) with a 7 hp gasoline engine. From. Plows to a depth of 30 cm with a passage width of 100 cm.
  • Scout;
  • Belarus;
  • Bison.

These units are equipped with high-quality diesel engines of American or Japanese production, equipped with a gear reducer and a disc clutch. 4 forward and 2 reverse gears allow you to work with various attachments, transport loads.

Starting the walk-behind tractor

Every time before starting the engine, the oil level is checked and the amount of fuel, the lack of both can damage the engine. The diesel engine is fueled with seasonal diesel fuel (for warm or cold seasons). Before starting, check the operation of the clutch, steering wheel. Movements in systems occur with a certain effort.

To start the engine, you need to free the tubes from air with an electric starter, which will subsequently be filled with diesel fuel. During manual start, it is necessary to give access to fuel, to produce gas and a certain amount of rocking by the starter. The decompressor returns to its original state and the engine starts.

For two-stroke engines, gasoline is used (the proportions of dilution with oil are indicated in the instructions). To start the walk-behind tractor, open the gas tank, direct the handle to start, move the starter several times without turning on the ignition. And only then turn on the ignition to start the engine. Further, the handle should be at the Work mark.

Lungs

This mini-technique is often called a motor cultivator. Its power does not exceed 4 and a half horsepower, therefore it is cheaper than medium and large units. The cost of a lightweight model is from 12 to 22 thousand rubles. The advantages include the light weight of the monoblock and the availability of processing inconvenient areas due to the small grip of the cutter.

The downside is the fast overheating of a low-power motor, which means that you will have to work with such equipment for a short time. In addition, the depth of the excavated soil is less than that of a heavy walk-behind tractor. In addition, light vehicles do not have attachments for additional equipment.

How to properly plow with a plow on a walk-behind tractor?

The motoblock is a universal unit for agricultural work in a personal or summer cottage. With it, you can plow the land, plant and harvest. The purchase of such equipment will greatly facilitate agricultural work.

With the help of walk-behind tractors, you can perform different types of agricultural work. Depending on the size of the cultivated area and the demand for equipment in different fields of activity, the equipment is acquired in light, medium and heavy classes.

Heavy

With this equipment, you can plow huge areas, significantly exceeding an area of ​​half a hectare. Engine power 12-30 horsepower, price 70-100 thousand rubles. A plow, trailer, hiller, potato digger and other equipment can be attached to a heavy walk-behind tractor. It is easier to work with such a technique and many times faster than with light and medium ones. The steering wheel and wheels are regulated on it.

The disadvantages include the heavy weight of the model, lack of access to non-standard surface areas. In addition, such a technique has to be turned with effort. As for the types of plows for a walk-behind tractor, they are reversible with two bodies that plow the soil using a blade, or rotary ones that plow the soil thanks to rotating discs.

Installing the plow

Thanks to the couplings (fasteners), the plow is mounted to the walk-behind tractor. This work is best done with an assistant, as it will require some effort and skill. First, the hitch is mounted on the walk-behind tractor, then connected to the plow mount with steel pins. The connection should not be installed tightly, a slight horizontal movement is necessary, otherwise, when processing the soil, the walk-behind tractor will move to the sides due to the unevenness of the soil.

After basic assembly, the plow needs to be adjusted. The adjustment will have to tinker with the quality of plowing depends on it. The plows are tilted using the mountings so that the heel is horizontal to the ground. The adjusted walk-behind tractor is placed on the ground and the steering wheel is checked; it should be in the area of ​​the plowman’s belt.

It remains to check if the unit is ready for earthwork. It is necessary to make several test furrows with depth measurement, check the quality of the soil dump. Pay attention to the strip between the furrows, it should not be too wide (no more than 10 cm) or crossed by a plow.

Average

This technique is rear-wheel drive. Motor power 5-12 horsepower. The device is capable of treating a plot of half a hectare. The motoblock weighs from 50 to 70 kilograms, its cost is 30-40 thousand rubles. On most motoblocks of this category, you can attach a plow and other equipment.

This technique has 2 gears, is equipped with a headlight. Compared to a heavy walk-behind tractor, the average one is more maneuverable, but the depth of plowing of the earth does not exceed 12 cm.And this is unacceptable for planting some plants

Work with a walk-behind tractor

Let’s take a look at such issues of working with a walk-behind tractor as:

  1. Preparing the walk-behind tractor for plowing the soil on your land
  2. Assembling the plow and hitching the plow to the walk-behind tractor
  3. Adjustment of the walk-behind tractor plow for plowing the soil
  4. How to plow with a walk-behind tractor.

Preparing the walk-behind tractor for plowing

Plowing with a walk-behind tractor can be carried out only with the use of lugs, since the load on the walk-behind tractor during plowing increases several times, and the use of lugs greatly facilitates this process. First of all, you remove the transport wheels and hubs on which the transport wheels of the walk-behind tractor are attached. You can buy MTZ walk-behind tractors on the website pro-motobloki.Ru.

Types of couplings for a walk-behind tractor

If we are using a universal hitch, as shown in 3, then I recommend not to fix the adjusting screw, leave the locknuts (A) loosened, we also loosen the locknuts (B) that fix the hitch to the plow post. Now we can start adjusting the plow.

First step of plow adjustment and furrow cutting

Plow device for walk-behind tractor

At 4, we can see the device of a standard plow for a walk-behind tractor. In some cases, plows have some differences, but basically most plows for walk-behind tractors have just such a device.

First, we will adjust the plow for the plowing depth. To do this, you and I will need two stands with a height of 12-20 cm, the height of the stands depends on how deep you and I will plow our land plot. If the plowing depth is 15-18 cm, then stands 15 cm high are needed, if the plowing depth is 20-23 cm, then respectively we take the stands 20 cm high.

Note:
You can use bricks or blocks as supports.

Adjustment of the walk-behind tractor plow Assembling the plow and hitching the plow to the walk-behind tractor

The plow and hitch are the two main components you need to complete your plowing. To do this, it is necessary to assemble the plow and the hitch in one piece in order to install the plow on the walk-behind tractor and adjust it for plowing.

The plow is attached to the walk-behind tractor with a hitch. Since the couplings have different modifications and each model has its own differences, in some cases it will be necessary to carry out preliminary work on installing the coupling on the plow. When the hitch is installed on the plow, we proceed to hitching the plow to the walk-behind tractor.

Note:

Fastening the plow to the walk-behind tractor through a universal hitch ensures reliable attachment of the plow to the tow-bar of the walk-behind tractor, and also allows you to make a number of precise adjustments of the plow for plowing the soil.