Do-it-yourself walk-behind tractor adapter - types and features

Many farmers use walk-behind tractors to work in their fields. The adapter for the walk-behind tractor makes it possible to speed up its execution. This unit is used as a trailer that moves on wheels and is attached to a motor cultivator. You can add attachments to the device and mount a chair. Often gardeners make such a unit themselves.

What it is?

An adapter for a walk-behind tractor is a trolley, the main elements of which are a seat, a brake, a brake handle, footrests, a coupling mechanism and a frame with structural parts attached to it.
The brake of the device is located near the foot rest. Typically, such a device is equipped with two wheels, and the seat often has a lifting lever. The design of the adapter can be either universal or special: some of these varieties provide for additional fastening of various canopies.

Equipping the walk-behind tractor with an adapter practically turns the working unit into a mini-tractor with a seat that increases operator comfort.

Application area

If we consider in general the purpose of adapters for walk-behind tractors, then their purpose is to relieve the user and make his hard work easier. Depending on what type of auxiliary equipment is attached to the walk-behind tractor, its scope of use can expand significantly.

For example, in addition to plowing, weeding, hilling and harvesting root crops, it will be possible to remove hay, clear some types of surfaces from snow, and level the soil surface. In addition, it will be possible to transport oversized cargo.

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What types of adapters for walk-behind tractors are there?

Externally, the adapter design is a small frame with two wheels, a platform for feet, a drawbar and a seat for the operator. By equipping a walk-behind tractor with such a “new thing”, you will actually turn it into a mini-tractor - working will become much more convenient, faster and easier, and the ability to adjust the seat will make the work process more comfortable.

There are several types of adapters for walk-behind tractors. In order to buy or make the most suitable option for you, you should familiarize yourself with all types of this equipment.

Based on the type of clutch, adapters are divided into adapters with steering and movable joints. Depending on the location - on the front adapters and rear ones.

Adapters can also be classified into a separate classification based on the purpose of use: with an extended drawbar for powerful large walk-behind tractors, with a shortened drawbar for small, lightweight units.

Adapter with steering

This type is on a rigid joint with a walk-behind tractor. The steering is represented by a separate unit, and options with both rear and front wheels are possible.

The walk-behind tractor becomes practically a self-propelled machine, which is quite simple and easy to operate, practically no different from motorcycles or cars.

Tips and recommendations when choosing a trailer for a walk-behind tractor

When choosing, you should remember where and how often you plan to use the adapter, and what walk-behind tractor it will be connected to. So for large areas where there is a lot of work to be done, you need a model with folding sides and a tipper function. Shipment and loading will be much faster.


Trailer with drop sides and tipper function

The size of the future purchase depends not only on the volume of planned work, but also on the walk-behind tractor itself, or more precisely, its potential. If it has a maximum towing capacity of 300 kg, a large cart will be useless.

Important! If you plan to transport a load of 350 kg or more, mechanical brakes are required. Hubs also matter—it’s better to choose steel ones.

When making any purchase, most Russians place the main emphasis on price, but it is also important to keep in mind the brand and the reputation of the manufacturer. The price for products from popular companies is usually higher, but it should be remembered that these are the trailers that can be combined with almost any walk-behind tractor - this is on the list of priorities of any self-respecting manufacturer.

Design and principle of operation

Essentially, the adapter is presented in the form of a trolley that is attached to the walk-behind tractor. After which the structure turns into a mini-tractor. The main details of such a unit:

  • a frame to which other constituent elements are attached;
  • driver's seat with lift lever;
  • 2 wheels;
  • clutch device;
  • wheel axle.

In this video we will analyze the front adapter:

Frame

It is one of the most important elements of the device, since other elements are connected to it. Therefore, it must be made of high-quality and durable materials.

Driver's seat

One of the main advantages of the adapter is a comfortable seat for the operator.

Wheels

There are 2 types of wheels available - metal and rubber. The former are used for heavy types of work in the field. The latter are designed for driving on dirt roads.

Clutch device

The hitch is responsible for connecting the attachments and the mechanical unit itself. This fastening is defined as one of the most important, therefore it is made of high-strength metals - steel or cast iron.

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The length of such a device is about 2 meters, width – 80 centimeters.

Depending on the clutch, the following design options can be considered:

  • with movable clutch. This device is the lightest. The clutch here is located in the front, but control in this case is more difficult, since it is necessary to deploy the entire power unit;
  • with steering. The clutch here is rigid, and control is achieved through a mechanical steering unit. This control is easier to use, but more difficult to produce.

There are different adapters for walk-behind tractors of different performance. For mechanisms with low power - with a short mount, for powerful ones - with a long one.

Preparatory stage of adapter manufacturing

The adapter has a simple design, but its manufacturing procedure cannot be called simple. Initially, you need to take into account the drawings and dimensions, which will help you create a device without any defects.

You need to acquire the following materials and tools:

  • Electric drill;
  • Welding;
  • Electric hacksaw;
  • File;
  • Square;
  • Sheet of steel with a thickness of 5 millimeters;
  • Several square pipes with a diameter of one inch;
  • A set of fastenings.

Key structural elements are manufactured as follows:

  • Hitch. Installed on the frame and secured with bolts. The coupling is two welded pieces of square pipes and a piece of water pipe. The latter is inserted into the rod with a welded tee;
  • Wheel fixation unit. Two pieces of pipe 10 centimeters long are welded at right angles. The horizontal section is inserted into the mounting pipe and securely fixed with a bolt. An axle and bearings with wheels are attached to a vertical blank.

When all the tools are prepared and the main parts are made, you can assemble the adapter.

Advantages and disadvantages

Adaptive steering of a walk-behind tractor is convenient because:

  • eliminates the need to walk behind motor vehicles;
  • the traction potential of the walk-behind tractor is fully realized;
  • the functionality of agricultural equipment increases;
  • transportation of the unit to a specific processing area is simplified;
  • easier control - no longer requires a lot of operator effort;
  • the structure can be disassembled if necessary;
  • sufficient balance is achieved on all axes.

The disadvantages include an increase in fuel consumption, which after modification takes one and a half times more. However, these losses are justified by the ease of management and saving a colossal amount of time that the gardener spends when working with the land.

Varieties

Adapters with steering can be classified according to the type of wheel arrangement. The steering gear is performed in the format of a separate unit. The steering wheels can be located at the front or rear.

As for the position of the steering gear, this depends on the design features and spare parts, because during operation it is impossible to avoid repairs and replacement of worn parts.

Models in which the adapter is located at the front are called front-steering varieties. In such modifications, the engine is a kind of tractor for the entire unit.

If the adapter is located at the rear, and the walk-behind tractor has to pull it behind it, such a device is called rear-wheel drive. In other words, if the adapter is located in front of the walk-behind tractor, it is a front-type product, and if at the back, it is a rear-type product.

The choice of one or another option is made by the buyer himself, based on his own preferences.

For example, the front version is more suitable for loosening and plowing the cultivated soil. Here, in addition to the power of motor vehicles, there is no need for an overview of the site. If you need to hill up the crop being grown, then the rear analogue is better suited for such purposes.

However, you can take a closer look at the option where the adapter is located closer to the drive axis. In this case, the operator’s weight will create additional load, preventing the walk-behind tractor from jumping out of the ground while the equipment is operating.

Based on the variety, adapters can be classified into body and bodyless. The former involve the transportation of goods, the latter are more suitable for cultivating the soil. Depending on the power of the unit, the adapters are connected to the walk-behind tractor using a long or short drawbar. The first modifications are used on heavy equipment, the second are used on light equipment.

Pros and cons of a front adapter

The unit is located in front of the walk-behind tractor using 3 screws. The maximum width of the device reaches 80 cm, length – 225 cm, and the height of the seat is no more than 71 cm. Its turning radius is smaller than the previous type and is 220 cm.

The unit is controlled by using the gas and brake pedals. At arm's length there is a handle with which you can easily change gears.

It should be noted that the maneuverability of this mechanism is inferior to that of the rear adapter . Overcoming obstacles becomes more difficult if there is cargo in the back. Load capacity is 2 times lower.

The presence of a free hitch makes it possible to attach additional devices or attachments for processing soil or transporting cargo.

How to install?

Let's look at the principle of installing an adapter with a steering wheel using the example of a model for a KTZ walk-behind tractor with a steering column. Connecting the adapter to the walk-behind tractor begins with installing the trailer on the pin of the walk-behind tractor, which is located in its front part. The knot is secured with a cotter pin.

After this, you need to move the gas to its place under the seat, carrying it with the original cable. To do this, use a 10mm wrench and a screwdriver, remove the throttle control lever, remove the top plug under the seat, and lay the cable. If necessary, change the bolt, since depending on the adapter model, it may be larger than necessary.

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Next, tighten the bolts with a 10mm wrench. When moving the gas, make sure that the cable does not interfere anywhere. Remove the steering wheel from the walk-behind tractor and unhook the clutch and gearbox release cables.

Next, remove the steering wheel using a stand for ease of use. Having removed the steering wheel, remove the support and begin installing the pedals. At this stage of work, use a cable with an adapter plate, which is included with the adapter.

The plate is installed on the wing of the walk-behind tractor and secured with a bolt and nut. The lever screwed to the cable is placed in place of the roller bracket. After this, install the second cable, secure it and attach it to the installed bracket, fix it until the moment allows the cable to move.

Now you need to set the forward gear to the right pedal. There is no need to remove it for this. At the same time, adjust the components, checking the forward tension . After this, reverse is installed.

What to look for when choosing a trailer/adapter for a walk-behind tractor

When planning to purchase a trolley for a walk-behind tractor, consider:

  • trailer category. Only a walk-behind trailer is suitable for a walk-behind tractor. A car is absolutely not suitable because it is not equipped with a brake system and an operator’s chair. Even if such a design can drive on a flat surface, and even then not without errors, it simply will not hold up on a slope. This is especially true for low-power walk-behind tractors;
  • material. Galvanized and steel models are the most practical and durable, but they are also more expensive. Plastic ones are cheaper, but they will not last long and are only suitable for light loads;
  • load capacity - this is indicated by the number in the model name.

Wheels are also of great importance - especially if the garden is located in a lowland, where the soil is viscous and has a high level of humidity. Most often, models with 4x10-inch wheels are purchased.

Video - What you need to know when choosing a walk-behind tractor and its trailer

Homemade adapter

An adapter for Neva walk-behind tractors can be purchased at an agricultural equipment store from. It is available on the market as the Neva APM 350 cultivator adapter for walk-behind tractors.

It is important to pay attention to the fact that it is also compatible with other agricultural equipment from this manufacturer. For example, the adapter can be used as a rotary adapter for a Neva motor-cultivator mower.

However, a homemade adapter helps save money. Moreover, it is much more pleasant to use and can be repaired at home at any time of the day.


There are several types of adapters to the Neva

Homemade adapters for Neva walk-behind tractors come in two types:

  1. Heavy, which, in turn, are divided into long and short.
  2. Lightweight (installed on cutters).

There are also front and rear devices, depending on the drive.

More detailed information regarding the drives is provided below.

Front

In the case of a front adapter for a walk-behind tractor with or without steering, the unit is placed behind the walk-behind tractor and is controlled in the same way as a motorcycle. This model is the most popular due to its ease of use.

This design is easy to use and easy to transport.

Rear

If you decide on an adapter for a rear-wheel drive Neva walk-behind tractor, you need to make it in front of the entire device.

This arrangement is very convenient for performing various types of work in the garden, when you cannot do without attachments from the back or front.

Full

This device also comes with all-wheel drive.

In this case, the unit can be located in front or behind. However, a significant difference in characteristics from the above-mentioned varieties is that four wheels are simultaneously involved in the work. This design is more reminiscent of a miniature tractor.

Important! This adapter drive is the most powerful, although not popular.


The most powerful adapter - complete

Recommendations for use

Regardless of the type of assembled and connected product, you need to start working with it by taking into account safety regulations. Before starting the engine, you need to conduct a visual inspection of the equipment to eliminate visible damage and malfunctions. Do not add fuel to the fuel tank while the engine is running.

If you hear an unusual noise when you turn it on, you need to stop the engine and identify the cause of the problem.

Do not use gasoline of inappropriate brands or fuel mixed with oil and other impurities. Before each start, you need to check the oil level, since this is often the reason the engine stops.

In order to extend the service life of motorcycles, a new product must be run-in. It will contribute to the trouble-free functioning of the walk-behind tractor.

During this process, the working surfaces of the parts are usually worked out. The duration of running-in, as a rule, varies for products of different brands and modifications. In some varieties it can be up to 20 hours or more. At this time, you should not load the equipment to the maximum extent.

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One recommendation is to change the oil after the first five hours of operation. As for warming up the engine, this should be done at medium speeds without load for about three minutes.

Based on the modification of the walk-behind tractor, for the first hours of its operation it is necessary to operate the unit in first gear (with the gas lever in the middle position). It is important to try to avoid not only maximum, but also minimum speed . At the end of using the equipment, you need to check the tightness of the threaded connections.

As for the cultivated soil, it is better to cultivate simple soil in the first hours. In addition, you need to take into account that rolling in is not done on rocky and clay soil.

Before work, you need to inspect the area and remove stones and large debris. In general, when working with motorized equipment, you need to constantly monitor its cleanliness and check the fastening strength of the accessible elements of the adapter and walk-behind tractor, including attachments.

Don't forget to tighten any loose fasteners. You also need to remember about timely maintenance.

Maintenance and storage

As a rule, you need to check the oil level every time you turn it on, and replace it at least once every six months. The air filters are checked before turning on the unit. Clean it when it gets dirty or once every three months.

The sump tank is cleaned every six months. If it is necessary to replace consumables, they try to buy original parts or those with similar quality characteristics.

They will help extend the life of agricultural equipment and will not cause engine failure. As for cleaning the air filter, this is necessary to maintain the working condition of the carburetor.

Do not use a solvent with a low flash point for this, as this is flammable and can lead not only to a fire, but also to an explosion. You cannot use equipment without an air filter, because this causes accelerated engine wear.

Repairs are carried out in a well-ventilated area with the engine turned off. In this case, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient level of ventilation in the work area. Exhaust gases are hazardous to human health and inhalation can be fatal. Motor vehicles should be stored in a dry, ventilated area .

During the summer season, it is not recommended to leave it outside, especially if the base of the operator’s seat is made not of plastic, but of wood. In order to extend the quality and performance characteristics, when storing the unit outdoors, you need to cover it with a tarpaulin cover.

If you do not plan to use agricultural machinery for more than three months, gasoline is poured out of the fuel tank, it is cleaned, and the position of the gas lever is checked. If necessary, disconnect the wheels.

Sources

  • https://stroy-podskazka.ru/motobloki/adapter/
  • https://sadovaja-tehnika.com/motobloki/navesnoe-oborudovanie/adapter/
  • https://MoyMotoblok.ru/navesnoe-oborudovanie/samodelnyj-adapter-dlya-motobloka-svoimi-rukami-chertezhi/
  • https://vsemotobloki.com/navesnoe-oborudovanie/dlja-svoimi-rukami.html
  • https://stroy-podskazka.ru/motobloki/adaptery-s-rulevym-upravleniem/
  • https://vsemotobloki.com/motobloki/neva/adapter-na-motoblok-neva.html

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