Content
Immediately after appearing on the market, mini tractors have gained wide popularity among builders and public utilities. Maneuverable vehicles quickly replaced the oversized special equipment and coped with the assigned tasks just as well. Now they have already begun to use mini-tractors for households, and they are even trying to assemble them on their own from a walk-behind tractor.
Technique classification
Mini tractor at home it is an indispensable assistant in the garden, dacha, etc. The modern market offers a huge selection of special equipment. One of the main parameters of its classification is the type of engine. They are gasoline and diesel, and also differ in power.
Light models
This type of special equipment is most suitable for home use if the area of the cultivated area does not exceed 2 hectares. The machines are used for haymaking, cleaning sidewalks from snow, cultivating a vegetable garden and other agricultural work. The technique is characterized by compactness, maneuverability, and is also capable of moving at high speed. Light models are equipped with an engine with a capacity of up to 7 liters. from.
Medium models
It is reasonable to take an average mini-tractor for a household if the area of the cultivated area reaches 5 hectares. The technique is also suitable for small farms, as it is versatile in use. Equipped with medium models with an engine up to 20 hp. from.
Heavy models
A heavy mini tractor for household use is not applicable. Despite its compact size, the technique is used to perform large volumes of agricultural work. Heavy machines are equipped with engines up to and more than 55 hp. from.
Difference in design
Depending on the design, the specificity of the use of the technique is determined, that is, its purpose.
Rider
The appearance of this mini tractor resembles an oversized lawn mower. The technique is designed for mowing grass. To expand functionality, it is possible to install a drive. Then the raider will be able to work with light attachments... The mini-tractor is characterized by high maneuverability.
Gardening equipment
You can distinguish a garden tractor from a raider by the location of the motor. The first model has it in front. The rider has an engine in the back. This feature greatly reduced the maneuverability of the gardening machine. It is less stable on difficult terrain, especially slopes. However, this technique is capable of working with many attachments that can be hitched to the back and front.
General purpose technique
These mini tractors are a miniature copy of large agricultural machines. Maneuverable and compact equipment is used in construction, for performing public works, maintenance of greenhouses and livestock farms. The versatility of mini-tractors is expanded through the use of attachments.
Criteria for choosing a mini-tractor
When choosing a mini-tractor for a household, you need to clearly know what tasks it will have to cope with. The effectiveness of the technique depends on this. So let's take a look at what to look for when buying a mini tractor:
- Manufacturer. This question is always of concern to an experienced buyer. The most reliable is the technique of Japanese and German manufacturers. Other European brands have proven themselves well. However, the quality comes at a good price. If you want something imported, but cheaper, then you should give preference to Italian or Chinese models. Now they are gaining their place in the market mini-tractors of domestic production and are already in great demand
- Engine power is the main parameter that you should pay attention to first of all. The endurance of the technique depends on the amount of horsepower. It is better to take with a small margin than to regret that a weak mini-tractor works slowly.
- The weight and size of a mini-tractor are also important indicators. A technique selected without taking these parameters into account can cause a lot of trouble when performing the assigned tasks.
- The comfort of using technology depends on additional equipment. If you need a mini-tractor for year-round operation, then you should choose a model with a cab and heating. With seasonal use of equipment in the warm season, you can choose cheaper models without a cab.
When purchasing any model of a mini-tractor, ask about the availability of spare parts for it. It is difficult to find parts for some imported and discontinued models, or you will have to pay a lot for them.
Homemade mini-tractor from a walk-behind tractor
A mini-tractor for a household with your own hands can be assembled from a walk-behind tractor. Among such homemade products, small-sized equipment has good functionality. The alteration will require making a frame, installing an additional pair of wheels, steering and, of course, a driver's seat.
Assembled DIY mini tractor can even be equipped with hydraulics. This will make it possible to use the equipment with attachments designed for earthworks.
When converting a walk-behind tractor into a mini-tractor, you will need ready-made drawings. With this question, it is better to contact a specialist who was engaged in such a design. The fact is that each brand of walk-behind tractor has its own design features, therefore, the redoing of the units occurs in different ways.
When assembling a mini-tractor with your own hands, you need to provide for the correct transfer of torque from the motor to the wheels. This determines the even distribution of the load on the drive axle.
During the assembly of the main components, it is necessary to position the gearshift lever and the brake as conveniently as possible. In addition to the comfort of use, these systems are responsible for the safety of the driver.
When the entire mini-tractor is assembled, it remains to install additional equipment. First, equip the driver's seat with a comfortable seat. So that the equipment can be operated at night, lanterns are placed on the front of the body.
Now let's look at a general guide on how to make a mini-tractor from a home walk-behind tractor:
- First, for a homemade mini-tractor, you need to weld the frame. Longitudinal and transverse spars are best made from a channel. The hubs for the bearings of the axle shafts are attached from below. They can be bought or found in scrap metal taken from agricultural equipment. Two bearings must be installed on each axle shaft.
- The track width depends on the location of the motor. If the engine remains in front of the frame, then the track width is left the same as that of the walk-behind tractor. With the rear engine position, the track is widened on the frame. This is necessary to balance the structure.
- When installing wheels, be sure to check their alignment.Each axle shaft must be strictly perpendicular to the longitudinal frame elements. This exact location can be achieved by installing a solid axle with bearings, after which it is sawn into two parts. That is, it turns out two semi-axes.
- For the manufacture of the axis, you need to take a workpiece from high-quality steel. The diameter of this part depends on the bearings on hand. You also need to measure the size of the wheel hubs. They must match the dimensions of the bearings.
- Two couplings are put on the axle. The right part should move easily. The driver will move it with a lever on the control bar. When the right clutch with the left element comes together in tight engagement, it will be possible to lock the wheels.
- The traverse is made so that it rotates freely 180about... The ease of control of equipment during operation depends on this.
- The next element is welded to the frame steel corners with a section of 25x25 mm. A metal casing is screwed to them with bolts for the intermediate shaft. It is bent from 5 mm thick sheet steel. An opening flap is placed on the back of the casing, and fasteners for the fuel tank are welded in front.
When all the main components are ready, you can start designing a mini-tractor. The racks are welded to the frame, after which the seat is attached to them. If desired, you can even make a cab or an open canopy over the driver.
The video shows a homemade mini-tractor:
It is convenient to make homemade mini-tractors from motoblocks if the farm has an old disassembled Moskvich car. Almost all the necessary spare parts can be taken from it.
