[Emvi]

Power tillers are mostly used for ploughing fields and it was no different in our household till fag end of the 70s decade, I am told. In the early 80s, due to various reasons, paddy cultivation completely made way for commercial crops cultivation and the entire agricultural scene changed from there onwards atleast in our part of the world.

With change in topography, the power tiller that we owned was suitably adapted to our use case. While we shifted from paddy cultivation to commercial crops cultivation, forethoughtfully, my father made good provision for roads within our plantation. A trailer was attached to the power tiller to haul agricultural produce and the usage pattern of the machine got completely transformed. Agreed, this transformation wasn't our innovation, but we were probably the first ones to adapt power tillers in such a way in our locality.

Our first power tiller was "Krishi Udyog" make bought in 1970. The lesser talked about it the better. It was one of most unreliable machinaries that we have ever owned, I am told. It was disposed off pretty early and what took its place in 1973 was nothing but an engineering marvel in its own right- Kubota Power Tiller. During its initial days, the tiller was extensively and only used for ploughing paddy fields. Later on as the transformation in our agriculture took place, it was used primarily used for load hauling with trailer attachment. It was bought new for INR 19500 and after serving us well for about 25 years, it was sold off for INR 30000! The engine remained unopened during the entire tenure of our ownership! A hallmark of its rock solid reliability. Unfortunately I don't have a single picture of the legendary machine.

Although Kubota kept serving us well, as years passed, we felt the need for a bit powerful power tiller for enhanced load hauling capacity. Even before Kubota was sold we purchased our third power tiller- Mitsubishi derived VST Shakthi 130DI in 1997. This is the one which is still doing duty for us and if I may add doing it appreciably well.

Specifications:

Engine- 673cc Single Cylinder Direct Injection Diesel

Power rating-
Max. Horsepower - 13 hp@2400 rpm
Max. Torque- 42 nm@1600 rpm

Transmission(Non synchromesh)-
6 speed forward and 2 speed reverse(High and Low ratios combined)

Brake System-
Tiller- Hand operated internal expanding shoe type brakes.
Trailer- Foot operated mechanical drum brakes.

Steering System-
Steering clutch levers are provided on the grip of the right and left handles. When the left clutch lever is gripped, power is cut-off on left side of the wheel and the tiller turns to the left. Similarly when the right side is gripped, the power tiller turns to the right. However, on a downhill the 'wrong' clutch lever has to be gripped to steer the machine to the right direction!

Starting method- Hand Cranking

Top speed- around 15 kmph(approx.)

Max. Load hauling capacity- 1 tonne.

Driving / riding power tillers needs a bit of practice and it is never as easy as it seems. I learnt / started driving in my early teens, the time I was studying in my 8th grade. When loaded, it is quite handful especially while climbing down gradients thanks to its 'simple yet tricky' steering system. Power tiller specific tyres provide a lot of traction and can navigate through slush and muddy terrain very well. Since the roads within our plantation don't have too many steep gradients, gradeability is a non issue. The current trailer attachment is equipped with manual tipping system.

I will let pictures do the talking further.

VST Shakthi in full 'force'


Ferrying Coconuts


Hauling Firewood


A load of arecanuts


Make your own road


Carting water barrels


Family members enjoying plantation ride


Thanks for reading!

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the CV section. Thanks for sharing!

Going to our homepage tomorrow

[RedTerrano]

Wow!
The amazing machines one sees and learns about on TBHP everyday!

Here's a thought:
Everyone has heard of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jallikattu .
I am imagining a power tiller version of Jallikattu.

Tillers + Trailers with similar load.
The lights turn green and everybody roars to the finish line through water clogged fields and muck. Will be fun to watch as well.

[fordday]

Great post. Enjoyed reading through.

Originally Posted by Emvi

Steering System-

However, on a downhill the 'wrong' clutch lever has to be gripped to steer the machine to the right direction!

I still could not figure out why the steering operation is opposite when going down hill.

Are there separate braking operations for the tiller and the trailer?

Is your trailer having a mechanically operated tipper?

[PrashantPahwa]

Originally Posted by fordday

I still could not figure out why the steering operation is opposite when going down hill.

Are there separate braking operations for the tiller and the trailer?

Is your trailer having a mechanically operated tipper.

This is because on a straight road the side not receiving power tends to stall and the side receiving power wants to move ahead resulting in a net steering towards the side where power was cut off.
On a downward slope it’s the opposite. Due to gravity the side without power wants to go ahead but the side with power faces resistance in the form of engine braking. That is why on downward slope the steering mechanism works in an opposite manner.

For the separate brake part. There seems to be a mechanical linkage between foot pedal and trailer brakes.This looks like a feature of the trailer. OP should be able to answer more.

Personally, if I had to buy something for this purpose I will go with a small garden size tractor for the ease of steering and predictability. It will also have a smaller total length with a trailer. All power tillers I have seen until now are very loud and slow.

[Emvi]

Originally Posted by fordday

Great post. Enjoyed reading through.

Thank you

I still could not figure out why the steering operation is opposite when going down hill.

Are there separate braking operations for the tiller and the trailer?

Is your trailer having a mechanically operated tipper?

Originally Posted by PrashantPahwa

This is because on a straight road the side not receiving power tends to stall and the side receiving power wants to move ahead resulting in a net steering towards the side where power was cut off.
On a downward slope it’s the opposite. Due to gravity the side without power wants to go ahead but the side with power faces resistance in the form of engine braking. That is why on downward slope the steering mechanism works in an opposite manner.

Precise!
Thanks for explaining the mechanism on my behalf.

For the separate brake part. There seems to be a mechanical linkage between foot pedal and trailer brakes.This looks like a feature of the trailer. OP should be able to answer more.

Like I have mentioned in the opening post, the tiller and the trailer have independent braking system.

Personally, if I had to buy something for this purpose I will go with a small garden size tractor for the ease of steering and predictability. It will also have a smaller total length with a trailer. All power tillers I have seen until now are very loud and slow.

True. Tractors are relatively easy to operate. However, power tillers are far more easier to maintain in comparison. Tillers are not only cheaper to procure, with almost zero electrics and no hydraulic systems, tillers require minimal maintenance- breakdown / periodic. Tiller suits our usecase the best.

[condor]

Originally Posted by Emvi

True. Tractors are relatively easy to operate. However, power tillers are far more easier to maintain in comparison. Tillers are not only cheaper to procure, with almost zero electrics and no hydraulic systems, tillers require minimal maintenance- breakdown / periodic. Tiller suits our usecase the best.

Both have their pro's and con's, IMO. While tillers are cheaper, but they are not low priced - esp these VSTs. However, the accessory fitments like those used to make raised beds are convenient. Tractors/Mini tractor attachments are mostly of other types.

One difference in the ease of use is the amount of vibration that the diesel power tillers have, especially the hand operated ones (the ones that dont have seating like this VST has).

Tractors require RTO registration, but at least one can use them on public roads to even haul/pull trailers unlike these tillers

[Emvi]

Originally Posted by RedTerrano

I am imagining a power tiller version of Jallikattu.

Tillers + Trailers with similar load.
The lights turn green and everybody roars to the finish line through water clogged fields and muck. Will be fun to watch as well.

Something like this- ?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uK6OlTpxd3Q