With the upcoming deadline for the Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant program, we are publishing a series of articles about low cost equipment that can make farming more efficient on a small-scale. All of the equipment highlighted works well for farmers on rented land, as it can be easily moved to a new site. In this article, we highlight walk behind tractorsWhy Purchase a Walk Behind Tractor?
Walk Behind tractors can provide an affordable way to start mechanizing basic operations on your farm like tillage and cultivation. These machines work well for farmers that run small acreage farms. They can accomplish many of the same tasks as a tractor but at a much lower price point. Walk Behind tractors are relatively simple to repair compared to traditional tractors - making them ideal for farmers uncomfortable fixing heavy equipment.
Note: although Walk Behind tractors can perform some functions on larger operations - they are generally not appropriate for larger vegetable operations. While Walk Behind tractors can perform many of the same functions as larger tractors, they are smaller and less efficient machines. They may be difficult on the body when used for extended periods of time, making them not appropriate for all farmers.
Walk Behind Tractors
Walk Behind tractors consist of an engine, wheels and a frame which various farm implements can be connected to. It is important to remember that the walk behind tractors discussed here (Tilmor and BCS) cannot accomplish any farm tasks without implements being purchased. For example: A BCS tractor needs a tiller attachment to be able rototill ground - it does not come with this attachment. Additionally, remember that each Walk Behind tractor has its own universe of implements. You cannot connect implements meant for a different Walk Behind tractor, or a traditional tractor. This means, for example, a BCS rototiller will not be compatible with a Tilmor tractor. In a similar fashion, a full size tractor rototiller will not be compatible with a BCS.
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Variety of walk behind tractors at Big River Farms. Photo: Cat Dehdashti
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BCS vs. Tilmor
There are two main Walk Behind tractor systems used by small scale vegetable farmers: BCS and Tilmor. Each tractor system fills a different role on a farm (with some overlap). BCS tractors are largely built to perform bed preparation, This means the BCS universe includes implements like: rototillers, power harrows, manure spreaders, plastic mulch layers, bed shapers and mowers. Tilmor’s universe of implements is largely intended to replace a cultivating tractor. This means the Tilmor implements are largely intended to help with the mechanical weeding of crops. Before deciding which system to buy, think carefully about what role you are expecting the tractor to play on your farm.
BCS Walk Behind Tractors
BCS offers a wide range of both Walk Behind tractors and implements. Various tractors have different horsepowers, and therefore different abilities to run various implements. The best way to decide which tractor is right for you is to pick the implements you want to purchase, and then work backwards to find a tractor that can run them. For example: A larger rear-tine rototiller will require a different BCS tractor compared to a smaller rear-tine rototiller. Some models come with something called “hydrostatic” transmissions. This means that instead of only going at the set speed of a certain gear - they can move within a set speed range, similar to a car and gas pedal. Note: Certain models are only meant for “front mount” equipment. Keep in mind that these tractors are largely intended for bed preparation activities like tilling, bed shaping, spreading and mowing.
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BCS tractor. Photo: Adria Fernandez
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Common BCS Implements for vegetable farms
Below is a list of common implements for vegetable farms that are sold by BCS:
- Rear Tine Tiller - available in 18’’, 20’’, 26’’ and 30’’. Used to till ground to incorporate fertilizer/compost and prepare beds for seeding/planting
- Power Harrow - Used for preparing a seed/transplanting bed. Instead of stirring soil vertically like a rototiller - this machine stirs soil horizontally - helping to maintain soil structure. Note: Power harrows struggle to incorporate field trash/plant material.
- Spreader - Can hold 9 cu ft of compost or soil amendments for spreading on beds.
- Plastic Mulch Layer - can lay 3ft or 4ft plastic mulch while also laying drip tape.
- Bed Shaper - Forms uniform raised beds.
- Flair Mower - Mows down cover crops or harvested fields of produce using swinging hammer blades that shred plant material into smaller pieces - helping them decompose quicker and get better incorporated into the soil.
Tilmor Walk Behind Tractors
Unlike BCS, Tilmor sells one model of Walk Behind tractor: The Power Ox 240. This tractor can be attached to a number of mechanical cultivation tools to help replace the role a cultivating tractor serves on a farm. It is important to keep in mind the Power Ox 240 is only intended for mechanical cultivation and is not able to perform bed preparation tasks like tilling or mowing. Compared to hand weeding, using hand hoes or even wheel hoes this system can save farmers a large amount of time and labor when weeding their farm. In addition, because it can move much quicker than a human being with hand tools, it makes it much easier for farmers to cultivate weeds on a regular basis, when they are small and easier to kill. The Tilmor universe of cultivating tools can be used to weed one, or multiple, rows of plants at the same time.
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Tilmor tractor with tine weeders. Photo: Natalie Hoidal
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Common Tilmor Implements for Vegetable Farms
Below is a list of common implements for vegetable farms that are sold by Tilmor, Many Tilmor systems combine multiple cultivation tools. For example, a finger weeder to kill weeds in-row with a tender hoe to kill weeds in the walking path/aisle.
- Basket Weeder - Rolling baskets that are used to kill smaller weeds between rows of plants. Baskets can also be placed together to stalebed before seeding or planting.
- Finger Weeder - These works by killing weeds within the row by flicking out white thread stage weeds without damaging the vegetable crops.
- Torsion Weeder - Uproots shallow weeds in row through shallow cultivation.
- Spring Hoe - Hills soil into a plant row to bury small weeds. Often used in combination with Finger Weeders.
- Tine/Wire Weeder - A tool that can be run directly over a crop to disrupt white thread stage weeds before they emerge.
- Pathway Cultivation - A combination of s-tines and sweeps to cultivate between rows and in walking paths/aisles.
Other options
There are a number of one use type walk behind systems that are common on small vegetable farms. These include items like Troy Built Rototillers - which are only capable of one task: rototilling. When looking at implements like rototillers and mowers that are often built for gardeners, always make sure you are buying implements that are built for the extended use periods, and rigor, of a farm. Many garden scale implements will work poorly, and break quickly, when used on a farm.
Bed size considerations
When purchasing a Walk Behind tractor system, and implements, always make sure they are compatible with the bed and row system on your farm. For example: if you want to create 30’’ beds, but only buy a 23’’ BCS tiller - it will be inefficient but you can do overlapping passes to create a 30’’ bed. However, if you tend to plant two rows of crops 8’’ apart - and buy a 2 row Finger Weeding system from Tilmor - the implement will not work. This is because the Tilmor Finger Weeders require at least 10’’ between rows.
Pricing of walk behind tractors
Tilmor prices included estimated shipping. BCS prices do not include estimated shipping. Contact a local dealer for options. All BCS tractors are available with electric start (instead of a pull start) for $500 extra.
- Tilmor Power Ox 240 cultivation tractor $3318
- BCS Model 749 bed prep tractor $6399 (Hydrostatic)
- BCS Model 853 bed prep tractor $5999
- BCS Model 750 bed prep tractor $7099 (Required for heavy duty 33’’ tiller)
- BCS Model 779 bed prep tractor $7899 (Hydrostatic)
- BCS Model 780 bed prep tractor $7799 (Hydrostatic)
Additional size considerations
(Contributed by Randy Hanson)
- The
739 BCS models and above have a differential transmission which is very
useful in use because it allows each wheel to operate independently.
This is vital when using heavier equipment and especially when turning.
- The 749 and above have 12” tires and thus offer great
implement applications due to their higher clearance rate and greater
ease of adding wheelbase extenders (very useful) and weights (useful
when using certain attachments).
Pricing of walk behind tractor implements
Tilmor prices include estimated shipping. BCS prices do not include estimated shipping. Contact a local dealer for options.
- Tilmor basket weeder $1607
- Tilmor finger weeder: 1 row setup $1598
- Tilmor finger weeder: 3 row setup $2548
- Tilmor spring hoe: 1 row setup $1082
- Tilmor tine weeder: $1113 (covers 27" bed)
- Tilmor torsion weeder: $1326 Includes spyder weeder)
- BCS rear tine tiller: $1134 (26" tilling width)
- BCS rear tine tiller: $1208 (30" tilling width)
- BCS rear tine tiller: $2399 (33" tilling width & HD - requires model 750 tractor)
- BCS power harrow: $2749
- BCS bed shaper: $749 (forms beds up to 3’’ high and 30’’ wide)
- BCS spreader: $2799 (holds up to 9 cubic feet of compost, manure, or other ammendments)
- BCS plastic mulch layer: $1249 (lays 3' or 4' plastic and drip tape
- BCS flail mower: $3249 (cost for 30" model - other sizes available)
Where to buy Walk Behind Tractors
Minnesota BCS Dealer contact information
- M&M Express Sales & Service: 600 Hwy 55 East, Buffalo, MN, 55313, 763-682-5252
- Scheels Home & Hardware: 3202 13th Ave. S, Fargo, ND, 58103, 701-232-8903
- Denny's Lawn and Garden: 4122 Woodland Avenue, Duluth, MN, 55803, 218-728-1854
- M&M Express Sales & Service: 530 Division St. W, Maple Lake, MN, 55358, 320-963-8000
- Nicolai Repair: 23449 Lewiston Blvd, Hampton, MN, 55031, 651-437-4660
- Wabasha Implement Company: 840 North Wabasha, Plainview, MN, 55964, 507-534-2004
Authors: Ariel Pressman & Annalisa Hultberg. Edited for web by Natalie Hoidal & Lindsey Miller
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