Fundamental in post-World War II Italy as pillars of agricultural mechanization still in its infancy, tillers remain a strategic resource for many entrepreneurs in the sector. Italy boasts highly diverse geographical features, combining vast flat expanses or gently sloping areas with more rugged agricultural regions, leading to the concept of “heroic agriculture” when farming takes place under extreme conditions on small plots of land. Examples of heroic agriculture include lemon groves along the Amalfi Coast and lentils from Castelluccio di Norcia, cultivated in rocky fields. However, this concept particularly applies to viticulture, especially in difficult terrains that are hard to manage but capable of producing remarkable wines, known as “heroic wines.” Until a few years ago, these wines referred to specific regions such as the Cinque Terre or Valtellina, but recently, the Research, Studies, and Valorization Center for Mountain Viticulture (Cervim) has defined the characteristics that a vineyard must meet to be considered heroic and eligible for state benefits.
Specify the required connotations
It must be cultivated on slopes of at least thirty percent, at an altitude of over 500 meters above sea level, and structured in terraces. An exception to these conditions is made for vineyards located on small islands, which, while not at high altitudes or steep slopes, are still difficult to access and often have uneven terrain. All of these agricultural realities cannot be approached with traditional tractors and equipment, making BCS tillers the only resource farmers can rely on to successfully navigate local cultivation and maintenance cycles. From soil preparation to grass mowing, as well as cleaning uncultivated land and maintaining access points, these applications can only be carried out using specific and dedicated equipment, such as that developed by the Abbiategrasso company for its series “700” tillers. They are true single-axle tractors that combine compact shapes with high mobility, allowing them to operate safely and effectively in areas where much more powerful machines would need to stop.
Exclusive hydraulic clutch
There are six basic models: the “706 SmartSafe,” “728 PowerSafe,” “738 PowerSafe,” “740 PowerSafe,” “750 PowerSafe,” and “780 StarGate,” all sharing construction solutions aimed at making machine management as easy, precise, and safe as possible. A key feature is the hydraulic clutch “PowerSafe,” which equips all models except for the “706 SmartSafe” attachment version. It operates with oil-bathed discs controlled hydraulically to stop the tiller without turning off the engine if the operator releases the handlebars. It interfaces with mechanical transmissions with three forward speeds and three reverse speeds on the “728 PowerSafe,” “738 PowerSafe,” “740 PowerSafe,” and “750 PowerSafe” models, while the top-range “780 StarGate” comes standard with a continuous hydrostatic transmission that allows the operator to increase or decrease working speed, as well as reverse the direction of travel, simply by adjusting the “EasyGrip” lever on the handlebars.
Both solutions enhance the operational versatility of the machines, complemented by the option to choose gasoline or diesel engines for the “738 PowerSafe,” “740 PowerSafe,” “750 PowerSafe,” and “780 StarGate” versions.
Numerous dedicated equipment
Gasoline engines are sourced from Honda and Briggs & Stratton, while Kohler and Yanmar supply the diesel engines, covering maximum power ranges from 7.5 to 11.7 horsepower. The Honda and Briggs & Stratton units exclusively available for the “728 PowerSafe” model provide powers between 5 and 9.5 horsepower, while the entire series benefits from the already mentioned wide range of equipment specifically developed by BCS for its tillers.
Among these, those dedicated to lawn maintenance and inter-row mowing hold a prominent position, such as the mobile knife mowers “BladeRunner,” equipped with front wheels for easy steering, and “RollerBlade,” designed with scalp protection rollers for use on sloped terrains or near ditches. Both types of equipment are ideal for heavy-duty maintenance of uncultivated land, underbrush, and rustic parks or for clearing pruning residues and controlling weeds in inter-row operations.
Alternatively, Bcs also offers single-blade mowers explicitly designed for maintaining rustic, uncultivated, or industrial land, as well as rough maintenance of green areas without grass collection. This is made possible by the presence of an ultra-sharp blade capable of cutting any grassy material, discharging the residues evenly on the ground thanks to a specific rear deflector. If maintenance involves high-quality lawns and the operator wishes to collect the cuttings, Bcs offers rotary blade mowers with working diameters of 56 or 100 centimeters, depending on whether they operate with one or two blades.
If mowing and cleaning are not the primary activities for which the machines are intended, operators can utilize equipment designed for traditional soil cultivation or road maintenance. The first category includes plows, available in both reversible and rotary versions, as well as cultivators and tillers—all tools that offer functionality and robustness comparable to those driven by traditional tractors. The second category includes rotary brushes, snow plows, and snow blowers.
Also for Mulching
To further enhance the versatility and multifunctionality of its tillers, Bcs has recently developed two special attachments: one with a shock-absorbing frame called “Pm-A 100” and another with a fixed frame named “Pm-F 100.” These can lay down classic plastic mulch sheets, securely fixing them to the ground. Two front share blades create grooves in the soil, two small wheels press the sheet into the grooves, and two more share blades then cover the sheet, all in a single pass. In the case of the more professional machine, it also utilizes pre-load springs connected to the wheels and the oscillating arms of the rear share blades to ensure optimal ground adaptation in the presence of depressions.
Entry Level at Six Horsepower
The “706 SmartSafe” model serves as the entry-level option in the Bcs series “700” tillers family. It features reliable, simple, and cost-effective construction solutions, including a mechanical safety system alongside a single-speed gearbox and a six-horsepower Genkins “Gk210” gasoline engine. These characteristics make the machine suitable for activities within greenhouses and small gardens, making it a valuable tool for those who enjoy practicing agriculture at a non-professional level, known as part-time farmers.
Next Stop: Electric Power
At Eima 2024, Bcs introduced the prototype of an electric single-axle tiller called “e-780,” recognized as a technical innovation at the event. Powered by a one-and-a-half-kilowatt electric motor and equipped with a second three-kilowatt electric motor for operating attachments, the machine runs on an “Lfp” lithium-iron-phosphate battery, guaranteed for over four thousand recharge cycles, ensuring working autonomy ranging from one and a half to four hours, depending on the task. The prototype can obviously be equipped with all the attachments developed by the Group for its single-axle machines, from which it also inherits the steering and safety systems.
Title: Bcs “700” series rotary cultivators, precious for over a century
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