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1. What is a walk behind tractor?

It is a super-compact, 2-wheel (single axle), walk behind version of a 4-wheel farm tractor, made with the same automotive-style construction (automotive type clutch, all gear and shaft drive) and versatility (accepting many different implements) that you would find in a farm/utility tractor. An additional feature of our walk-behind tractors is their ability to have the handlebars fully ”reversed” to give the tractor front or rear-PTO capability. For example: soil working implements perform best in the rear (so tire tracks are eliminated), while mowers obviously work best in front of the tractor (mowing before the tractor pushes the material over).

2. Is it a walk-behind tractor or two-wheel tractor?

Many names are used to describe the same machine: Walk-behind tractor, 2-wheel tractor, single-axle tractor, hand tractor, walking tractor, pedestrian tractor, pedestrian controlled tractor, foot tractor. We have chosen “walk-behind tractor” simply because it seems the most accurate and descriptive.

3. Why buy a walk-behind tractor?

For small farms and properties, steep or rough areas, walk-behind tractors simply make more sense from several standpoints: 1. Size 2. Cost 3. Safety 4. Efficiency 5. Versatility and even on larger farms/properties or even in cities, Walk-behind tractors have a place due to their extremely compact nature and versatility. For example:

Even on larger market farms where 4-wheel tractors perform the initial field prep, 2-wheel tractors increase the efficiency of the operation by being able to perform inter-bed work within the growing season without damaging surrounding crops, requiring lots of room for maneuvering or creating excessive soil compaction.
Several farms we deal with use walk-behind tractors exclusively for maintaining the pathways between crops grown on black plastic mulch (in some cases cultivating, in others mowing).
Many urban homeowners, frustrated by the disposable and/or single-purpose nature of lawn & garden equipment on the market today, have turned to walk-behind tractors to end the maintenance nightmare created by multiple engines powering cheaply-made seasonal machines. With a walk-behind tractor, you have a single commercial-grade power unit powering agricultural-grade implements. For an average homeowner, it will all last a lifetime with proper maintenance. Since the worst thing for an engine is to sit unused, the year-round uses of the walk-behind tractor eliminate many engine storage issues.
Many large farms and even cities find uses for walk-behind tractors simple because 4-wheel “riding” equipment cannot go everywhere where work needs to be done. Whether it is mowing (under fences, in orchards, on lake dams, on Christmas tree farms, in woodlands or on trails, on steep slopes, on creek banks, in vineyards), soil working (vegetable and flower gardens, vineyards, landscaping, food plots), snow removal (around buildings, on sidewalks and pathways, on rooftops) or a host of other applications, these 2-wheel powerhouses find a place on an incredibly wide variety of properties either as primary equipment or complimenting larger equipment.

4. Gas vs. Diesel?

One of the questions we get asked all the time is: "why would I choose a Diesel Engine?" Well, here are some reasons:

Properly maintained, a diesel engine will easily last 3 times as long as a gasoline engine.
In these small air-cooled engines, diesels use 1/2 to 1/3 the amount of fuel a gas engine consumes doing the same work.
Diesel engines give the option of running lower-cost and/or environmentally friendlier BioDiesel fuel.
Better low-speed torque on a diesel engine (Note that the Diesel engine options on most of the tractors have a lower horsepower rating than the gas option...but from a working standpoint, they have as much or more torque than the "larger" gas engine. For example, the 11hp diesel has virtually the same working torque as the 13hp gas, actually more at low engine speeds).

Of course, the reasons you may not want to purchase a diesel are: more initial cost, more noise and vibration, harder starting in cold weather.

Typically, folks who are putting a lot of hours on the tractor (150--200+ hours per year) would be well advised to consider the diesel, because the extra investment will pay off sooner. At the current fuel prices, it could pay off real quick!

We have the most experience with the Italian made Lombardini diesel engines which have been standard equipment in Europe on BCS and Grillo machines for over 25 years. Starting in May 2007, we now offer the Yanmar diesels, which are Japanese-manufactured and also an excellent engine. Both of these engine brands have an exceptional repair record and have service centers throughout the United States and Canada. We stock all fast moving parts (such as filters) for these engines.

5. How much land can I work with a walk-behind tractor?

One way to answer this question is: “How much time do you have?” Since you are not likely to wear out a walk-behind tractor quickly, no matter how much land you are using it on! But in practical terms, you wouldn’t want to use a walk-behind tractor to mow 50 acres or till 20 acres; those scales are better suited to 4-wheel tractors, perhaps in combination with walk-behinds. In terms of using a walk-behind tractor as your Primary Tractor, most of our customers are soilworking an average of 1-3 acres mowing/haymaking an average of 10-15 acres. Now, there are exceptions, of course: We do have customers using primarily walk-behinds for tillage on larger acreages, but usually multiple walk-behinds. And we have some users making hay on 20 acres plus, on terrain to steep/rough/wet to use 4-wheel tractors effectively. (One customer of ours was relying on a neighbor and his 4-wheel tractor to bale his hay, and the neighbor was only able to make hay on 10-12 acres because of the 4-wheel tractors’ limitations on the terrain. Now, with walk-behind hay harvesting equipment, he hays over 20 acres of his land and has much better quality hay because it gets harvested at it’s prime, not when the neighbor has all his own hay done!)

6. Can I ride behind a walk-behind tractor somehow?

With certain implements, yes. There is a “mowing sulky” which attaches to the engine end of the tractor (which is the rear when mowing) and allows the operator to sit and ride while mowing, raking hay, etc. (The geometry of a walk-behind tractor does not lend itself to a “vulky”, [stand-up sulky/platform] – we have tried this!)
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS THOUGH:

Maneuverability is greatly reduced when using a sulky. As a walk-behind unit, the tractor is capable of making essentially 180° turns – but the sulky is a trailer – which means that now you have to deal with a limited turning radius, or else it will “jackknife”. Backing up is tricky with a sulky too, for the same reason.
You cannot go any faster just because you are riding! The working speeds of the tractors are designed around a human walking pace (around 3 mph tops) and there simply is no higher working speed to shift into when you’re riding. (There is the transport speed, but that is ONLY FOR TRANSPORT- 8-9 mph!)

The mowing sulky does have a place, however, on larger, flatter areas with a minimum of obstacles to maneuver around. It detaches and re-attaches quickly (within a minute), so you can “drop it off” when the going gets tough. As much as we mow with a walk-behind tractor on our own farm here in Kentucky, though, we never use a sulky – the hills are too steep, and besides we prefer walking – agreed by doctors worldwide as the best exercise for humans.
Now, there is another way to ride a walk-behind: With a utility trailer or a “transport sulky”. Both of these attach with the tractor in the “rear-PTO” (soilworking) mode. The utility trailers have a built-in seat and footrest to allow the operator to safely ride while hauling goods. The transport sulky has extremely limited use, as it will haul nothing but you; it’s only redeeming feature is that you can transport the tractor while certain soilworking implements are attached (tiller, moldboard plow, swivel rotary plow) to get from Point A to Point B quicker. (No, you cannot use the tiller with the transport sulky attached! The sulky holds the tiller/plow out of the ground while attached to the tractor). The trailers are far more practical (and fun, since now you can more effectively and safely use the “transport” gear of the tractor to zip around hauling stuff), although you cannot have any other implement attached to the tractor while using it. (Well, I guess you could toss 2 or 3 implements into the trailer and head out to the back 40!).

7. What is a P.T.O.?

P.T.O. stands for Power Take Off. This is the part or flange on the tractor where the tractor powers the implement (tiller, mower, etc.) via a rotating shaft. The P.T.O. on walk-behind tractors is engaged by a control independent of the wheel drive controls, so the PTO (and therefore the implement) may be operated whether the wheel drive is engaged or not, and conversely the wheel drive may be operated with or without the PTO (and therefore the implement) operating.

8. If the tractors accept rear-PTO and front PTO implements, does that mean they have a PTO on the front and rear?

No. There is only one PTO on the tractor, and it is located on the end of the tractor opposite the engine. The thing to remember is that the entire handlebar assembly on the tractor reverses (swings around) 180° so that the handlebars are either opposite the engine (rear PTO, or “soilworking” mode) or on the same side as the engine (front PTO or “mowing” mode). The PTO does not change locations, except in relative terms; only the handlebars change.

9. Does a walk-behind tractor have belts or chains?

Not the Brands we offer at Earth Tools! Worldwide, several walk-behind tractors use either belt and/or chain drives, but these systems are not reliable and, in the case of belts, rob 10-20% of available horsepower through friction.

10. Aren’t belts good because they allow slippage to absorb shock, so other components won’t be damaged?

In the case where shafts, gearboxes, etc. in the power train are of inferior quality, Yes. In the case of the tractors we offer, the entire power train is constructed of through-hardened precision-machined gears and shafts supported by ball bearings, all in full oil bath. Amidst the pressed-powdered-steel or cast iron gears and cold-rolled shafts supported by brass bushings that the lawn & garden industry’s “gearboxes” (transaxles) are full of, it’s virtually impossible to find components of this quality any more. With a gear-train this sturdy, the automotive-type clutch provides what slippage/shock protection is needed. Some implements do have belt-drives for extra shock-protection (Flail mower, chipper/shredder, hayrake/tedder) and the rotary mowers have swinging “breakaway” style blades, just like a full-sized tractor “bush-hog”.

11. BCS or Grillo? Which one is right for me?

It depends on many things … and in some cases, it may boil down to personal preference! The fact is, several of the models do not directly compete with each other (for example: BCS does not have a 9 or 10 hp machine; Grillo does not have a 13 hp), so the real question is: What implements do you want to be able to run with your walk-behind tractor? (Note: Make sure to think into the future about this: an investment in this tractor as a power source is going to last you many, many years). The larger the tractor, the more implements it will effectively run – up to the BCS 853. (While the largest units in both brands are better suited for certain applications, they are actually not as well suited to as many tasks overall as the second-to-the-largest tractors). So the implement choices and sizes will be mostly what dictate the size of the tractor you need to drive them.

Similarities:

Both manufactured in Italy
Same automotive-type construction: All hardened steel gear and shaft drive supported by ball bearings in oil bath; automotive clutch
Same reversible-handlebar design to accept front or rear PTO implements
Choice of gas or diesel engine
Overall quality of construction the same

Differences:

BCS machines tend to be more refined and stylized (“Americanized”, if you will), in terms of appearance, markings on controls, ergonomics of controls.
BCS now sends their machines with an owners manual that is all in English; Grillo’s is still in 5 languages (English included, but some of the translations are a bit rocky.)
Grillo supplies a parts breakdown list with every tractor, BCS does not
Because of their slightly simpler design, some parts of the Grillo machines are easier for the owner to service themselves than on the BCS: particularly, the clutch and the PTO coupling.
BCS has a better warranty, but you pay more for the product
Grillo has a lesser warranty but you pay less for the product (to us, warranty is hardly a factor: the number of warranty failures in the field on both brands is miniscule, and since most failures occur in the first year if the components are defective, the number of warranty dwindles further in the 2nd and 3rd years).
BCS presently has more registered dealers in the USA than Grillo, because the BCS has been operating in this country longer.
The color is different!

12. If there is not a Dealer near me, isn’t that a problem when the equipment needs service?

Not necessarily. One of the benefits of this type of equipment is the simple and straightforward design (no hydro/hydraulic systems, no belt-drives, no complicated electrical systems) which allows for easy servicing by the owner. Even with rudimentary mechanical skills, owners of these machines are typically able to replace what parts are needed themselves. And if you have trouble: We’re a phone call away! (We have even walked our customers through transmission teardowns [extremely rare, but I can think of 2 or 3 instances] over the phone). We keep over $50,000 worth of spare parts on hand, and since walk-behind tractors and implements are all we do, we know these machines inside and out.

13. What about Warranty repairs?

In the rare case that this well-made equipment should have a warranty failure in the field, we will send you replacement parts at no charge and pay the shipping to get the defective parts back to us. In the case that a warranty failure is such that you don’t want to tackle the repair yourself, if you ship the unit back to us for repair, parts and labor of a warranty repair will be done at no charge and we will pay return freight costs to you. (The manufacturer’s warranty policies clearly state that they will pay NO SHIPPING EXPENSES, but we will cover the return freight of a unit to the customer out of our pocket).

14. Why does Earth Tools offer so many more implements and accessories than other BCS dealers?

The walk-behind tractor market in Europe is very much like the 4-wheel tractor market here in that usually, companies that produce the tractors seldom produce the implements that are used on them; most of the implements are made by independent manufacturers. Some implements are purchased and private-labeled by the tractor manufacturer so to appear to have their “own implements”. Sometimes, if the popularity of an implement makes it cost-effective to do so, a tractor manufacturer will actually produce certain types of implements. For example, BCS and Grillo both produce their own tillers and cutter (sickle) bar mowers. BCS also produces their own lawn mowers and single-stage snowblowers, and recently started producing their own power sweeper after buying it for many years. The chipper/shredder, 21” and 26” brush mowers, moldboard plows and utility trailer that are sold under the BCS brand are all produced by different companies.
Now, to answer the question!: Once we at Earth Tools became aware of the dozens of companies in Europe (primarily Italy) producing implements for walk-behind tractors, we began importing these items directly in order to increase the versatility and usefulness of the walk-behind tractor. We now deal with about 20 different implement or accessory manufacturers in order to offer the selection shown on the website.

15. Do all the walk-behind tractors have compatible PTO hookups?

Boy, wouldn’t that be nice! Unfortunately, No. Every single brand is different. Grillo and BCS used to share the same PTO when the companies were working together, but BCS has now changed theirs. However: All the independent European implement manufacturers deal with this issue by simply offering an implement with an interchangeable PTO flange and shaft. That way an implement dealer doesn’t have to stock, say, 15 different rotary plows to fit all the Italian tractor brands; he just stocks one or two plows and 15 different PTO flange/shafts. In the case of implements that are manufactured by the tractor company; the PTO flanges are typically not removable, but cast into the gearbox housings … so they will only fit “their” tractors. In some cases, an adapter can be used (if available) to adapt implements if the PTO shaft turns the proper direction! Believe it or not, not even PTO direction (or speed, for that matter) are standard on walk-behind tractors, although most of them are the same. In the case of the BCS and Grillo implement compatibility, it goes like this: Rear-PTO implements (soilworking tools, wood splitter, pressure washer and sprayer, etc.) can usually be interchanged with an adaptor. Most front-PTO implements cannot, however – because when the forward direction is reversed on the Grillo G85 through 107, the PTO turns the opposite direction as well. (The BCS PTO does not reverse when the wheel direction is changed). Therefore, the only mowers that can be interchanged are the cutter (sickle) bar mowers, which have reciprocating blades, so they don’t care which way the PTO turns.

16. If the PTO shaft on the Grillo machines does backward when you put the wheels in reverse, won’t that ruin the gearbox in the mowers because the blade has to reverse direction?

They already thought of that … and the fact that a walk-behind tractor does not have a “Live PTO”, like most modern 4-wheel tractors do. What they offer is: on all rotary type mowers (lawn, brush, disk and flail mowers), there is a “ratcheting” mechanism built into the mower gearbox, which allows the PTO shaft to only turn the blade one way. This also serves to let the blade “freewheel” as soon as you pull the clutch on the tractor so the blade momentum will not drive the tractor forward. Therefore, the Grillo G85 / G107 series tractors will not mow while in reverse, because the PTO is turning the wrong way to drive the blades while in reverse. Compared with the BCS tractors, which will mow while in reverse, this could be seen as a nuisance OR as an extra safety feature…take your pick!

17. What size walk-behind tractor is right for me?

It depends on the size of your property/application, but more importantly it depends on your desired implements.

Some considerations:

A larger walk-behind tractor is not necessarily more durable than a smaller one; in fact many of the components are the same … the main difference is the number of features (wheel speeds, horsepower, etc.) the tractor has.
There are two basic classes in our spread of walk-behind tractors: two-working-speed (2ws) models and three-working-speed (3ws) models. Additionally, the 2ws models are divided into ‘non-differential’ and ‘differential’ types.
The BCS 700 Series (with the exception of the BCS 710/712, which has only one speed forward and reverse…these models are usually only sold into rental applications due to their limited speed and relative simplicity – or as an economy single-purpose sickle bar unit) and the Grillo G85 series are all 2ws tractors with two speeds forward and reverse in both front and rear PTO modes. (Hey-wait a minute, you may say … the specifications for these tractors say they have 3 speeds forward!! … well, 3rd gear on these tractors, which only functions with the tractor in the rear-PTO mode, is a transport speed [7-8 mph] and not considered a ‘working’ speed. Hence, our classification of “two working speed” tractors).
2ws tractors are good for soilworking applications, and also for snow removal, chipping/shredding, wood splitting (any ‘stationary’ application), but are good for only limited mowing applications because of their limited speed … top mowing speed (2nd gear) is anywhere from 1.4 to 2 mph, depending on the particular model. That’s fairly slow, and most folks wouldn’t want to mow 5 or 10 acres at that speed.
The 3ws tractors are the Grillo G107d and the BCS 853 and 948 (the Grillo G131 is sort of in a class by itself, and we’ll get to that later). Here, the versatility is greatly expanded by the addition of a faster ‘working speed’ of around 3 mph (the slower gears in the 3ws tractors are essentially the same as 1st and 2nd gears in the 2ws units), which allows larger mowing applications and haymaking to be accomplished much more efficiently, as well as having the slower speeds for soilworking. The third ‘working speed’ also gives the option of a slower transport speed. (4th gear in the 3ws tractors is the same fast transport speed as the 2ws tractors have in their 3rd gear). The greater horsepower of the 3ws tractors is also more conducive to operating rotary mowers, which tend to consume lots of power. Also, the 3ws tractors all come standard with differential and steering brakes, which greatly assist when mowing (particularly on hillsides).
The Grillo Model G131 is geared primarily for soilworking applications, and has 4 working speeds forward for tilling/plowing (plus a 5th ‘transport’ gear) and only 2 forward speeds for mowing/front PTO applications. Also, reversing the handlebars on this machine takes more time because the gearshift levers must be changed (so reversing the handles takes 10 minutes instead of 1 minute), so while mowing is certainly possible with the G131, it is less convenient. The main application of the G131 is to run a reciprocating spader, because it is the heaviest-duty walk-behind tractor we offer.