Comparison AL-KO MH 1150 vs Husqvarna TF338

The area of the site for which the two-wheel tractor is designed. It cannot be argued that this parameter is critical when choosing a device, these are only manufacturer's recommendations and are very conditional. However, they are more than justified and, in general, show the available front of work based on the heating of the motor, the capacity of the tank or battery, and other factors that affect the duration of work.

The maximum width of the strip of land processed by the machine in one pass.

The large width makes it easier to work in large open areas, allowing them to be dealt with faster. At the same time, it is easier to deal with bottlenecks and hard-to-reach nooks and crannies with a small working width — a large unit may simply not fit where a smaller one will pass without problems. So it is worth choosing according to this indicator, taking into account the features of the planned work. If we talk about specific numbers, then in the smallest models the capture width does not exceed 50 cm, in the largest it can be 1 m or more, a value from 50 to 75 cm can be called average, and from 75 cm to 1 m — above average.

Also note that some models allow you to expand the processing width by installing additional cutters. However, note that the wider the band, the more power is needed for efficient operation. It is believed that for the full use of the two-wheel tractor, it must produce at least 1 hp. for every 20 cm of width; however, for loose soils and shallow depths, smaller values are sufficient.

The maximum processing depth provided by the unit. In cultivators with non-replaceable cutters, this parameter is determined primarily by the cutter diameter, in walk-behind tractors designed for active cutters (see below) - by design features (in such models, even high power does not guarantee a large working depth). The most limited indicator in modern walk-behind tractors is up to 20 cm, and a value from 21 to 25 cm can be called small. However, often even such capabilities are quite sufficient. A depth of 26 to 30 cm already provides quite extensive capabilities, and the most advanced models are capable of "biting into the ground" more than 30 cm.

In any case, the optimal processing depth depends on the type and condition of the soil, as well as the crops for which the soil is being prepared; detailed recommendations on this matter can be found in specialized sources. So it does not always make sense to look for a model with maximum depth - especially since such capabilities require high power. It should also be noted that in many units the depth can be adjusted.

— Power take-off shaft. The presence of a power take-off shaft in the design of a two-wheel tractor. Such a shaft provides the transmission of rotation from the engine to additional equipment used with a two-wheel tractor — seeders, mowers, mulchers, harvesters and other units that require a mechanical drive for operation. Thus, this function significantly expands the capabilities of the two-wheel tractor and the range of equipment compatible with it. On the other hand, it complicates the design, increases its weight, and most importantly, the price. It is also worth considering that different external units may have different types of tails for the power take-off shaft and different requirements for rotation speed; compatibility on these points must be clarified separately.

— Power take-off pulley. The function is similar to that described above — the power take-off shaft. A distinctive feature is its location and, accordingly, the method of hanging additional equipment. The shaft is located behind the rear end, while the pulley is on the side of the housing.

— Transport wheels. The presence in the design of the cultivator / two-wheel tractor of a special wheel (wheels), facilitating the transportation of the unit during non-working hours. In cultivators, such wheels allow you not to drag the device directly on the ground (which can damage the working tool) or...in your hands (which is inconvenient due to the large weight), and in two-wheel tractors they provide an additional point of support for both moving and parking. These wheels should not be confused with the main wheels of the device: the unit moves to the main wheels during operation (and in many models — all the time), while the transport wheels are used exclusively during non-working hours.

— Reverse. The possibility of moving the unit in reverse — for this, the direction of rotation of the wheels or the cutter is reversed. This function gives additional features for manoeuvring; it is especially useful in heavy equipment that would be inconvenient to pull on yourself manually.

— Differential lock. The ability to turn off the differential in the two-wheel tractor is a special mechanism designed to “coordinate” the movement of the wheels with each other when turning. The differential is necessary for normal handling on relatively flat ground, but it worsens the overall patency — these are the technical features of the mechanism. Therefore, in some two-wheel tractors, it may be possible to block the differential; this can be useful both in rough terrain and in some jobs with high and uneven wheel loads.

— Protections for plants. Special devices, also called "cutting guards". They usually look like two metal discs on either end of the axle where the cutters are located. These discs prevent plants from getting into the working tool and allow you to work the land in the immediate vicinity of already planted plants without fear of damaging them with the cultivator's cutters. You should definitely pay attention to the presence of such protection if you are going to use the device for inter-row cultivation.

— Height adjustable handle. The ability to change the height at which the handles of the two-wheel tractor are located. This feature is designed to adjust the handles to the height of the operator — for people of different heights, the most comfortable height will also be different.

— Lateral rotation of the handle. The ability to turn the handle of the two-wheel tractor to the side — so that the operator can go not behind the unit, but next to it. This function will be useful in cases where it is inconvenient or undesirable for the user to be behind the two-wheel tractor — for example, if it is impossible to trample on cultivated land, if the applied nozzle throws soil or grass back, or if this nozzle protrudes strongly backwards, and because of it it is not up to the handles reach out.

— Headlights. The presence of headlights will allow you to work with a cultivator / two-wheel tractor, regardless of the time of day and external light sources — in the dark, just turn on the headlights. They may also be required when using a two-wheel tractor as a tractor — both at night, and in some other cases provided for by traffic rules.

The number of gears provided in a self-propelled cultivator / two-wheel tractor, in other words, the number of travel speeds. There are both the simplest two-wheel tractors for 1 gear or 2 gears, as well as more advanced ones with three, four and even 6 gears. Lower gears are not fast, but they allow you to effectively cope with high loads, and are also better suited for starting from a place; higher ones give low tractive effort, but good speed. Thus, the presence of several gears makes it possible to adjust the operating mode of the unit to the specifics of the situation. The number of gears is also relevant for reverse gear, because there are walk- behind tractors and cultivators for 1 gear or more.

Model of the engine installed in the two-wheel tractor / cultivator. The main performance data of the engine is usually indicated in the general data for the unit. However, knowing the exact name of the motor, you can find more detailed information on it — starting from specific data like torque or revolutions and ending with reviews and reviews. Also, data on the engine model can be useful when searching for spare parts or consumables.

Horsepower of two-wheel tractor/cultivator motor. The basic unit of power nowadays is watt, however for petrol and diesel engines (see "Motor type") the more traditional designation in horsepower is often used. 1 hp is approximately equal to 735 watts.

More powerful motor allows achieving higher productivity, width and depth of processing. On the other hand, high power significantly affects the price, weight and dimensions of the unit, as well as the consumption of electricity/fuel. In light of this, the engine characteristics are selected by the manufacturer taking into account what "weight category" the walk-behind tractor belongs to. The most limited modern units have a power of up to 2 hp, in the heaviest and most advanced this figure can exceed 13 hp ; 4 - 7 hp can be called an average indicator, and 2 - 4 hp and 7 - 13 hp are below and above average, respectively.

Detailed recommendations on the optimal power for a given situation can be found in specialized sources.

The volume of the fuel tank of the cultivator / two-wheel tractor; knowing this parameter and fuel consumption (see above), it is possible to determine the maximum operating time of the unit on a single refill. If you plan to use the device in large areas or to work for a long time, it makes sense to look for a model with a large tank — it will not have to be filled often. On the other hand, for short-term work in small areas, a large tank is not required — in this case, it only increases the weight and dimensions of the unit.

The nominal volume of oil in the crankcase, in other words, is the amount of oil that must be in the engine for its normal operation. This parameter is relevant mainly for four-stroke units (see "Type of internal combustion engine") — in two-stroke units, usually, gasoline and oil are poured in the form of a mixture, and there is no separate container for lubrication. Certain deviations from this volume are allowed, but in general they are undesirable.