BCS 770HY Hydrostatic Rotavator

Today we are taking a look at the BCS 770HY Hydrostatic Rotavator, this is the first hydrostatic drive rotavator that I have come across. Over the past few days, we have been looking at the range of BCS rotavators and two-wheeled tractors. We started with the smallest BCS 710 rotavator and yesterday we looked at the BCS 750 which is the largest machine.

The BCS 770HY Hydrostatic Rotavator retails at £5365 for the Honda petrol engine or £5985 for the Yanmar diesel engine. These prices are excluding VAT.

The majority of wheel-driven rotavators are gearbox driven, most of the BCS machines have three forward and three reverse speeds. The BCS 770HY Hydrostatic Rotavator is unique, due to the fact it’s has a hydrostatic drive which then goes through a high and low range gearbox. The hydrostatic drive gives much more precise operation and is much easier for the operator to use, especially in small spaces. Let’s take a closer look at the BCS 770HY Hydrostatic Rotavator.

BCS 770HY Hydrostatic Rotavator

 

Features

• A powerful two-wheeled tractor.
• Hydrostatic drive.
• Steering brakes.
• Differential lock.
• Adjustable handles.
• Excellent range of attachments.
• Petrol or diesel engine option.
• Three-year domestic warranty or a two-year commercial warranty.

As I mentioned in the previous paragraph the BCS 770HY Hydrostatic Rotavator is fairly unique due to the fact that it is hydrostatic drive rather than gearbox drive. Hydrostatic drives are fitted to the majority of ride-on mowers and harvesting machinery. The benefit of a hydrostatic drive is huge, especially on ride-on mowers as it gives instant forward and reverse and variable speed. This all comes with a straightforward lever operation or foot pedal, it really is very simple indeed to use. You can like a hydrostatic drive to something like having an automatic car, no gear changing.

The BCS 770 does have a high and low gearbox which helps to give an even greater range of speeds. The machine becomes very manoeuvrable in tight spaces with the help of the hydrostatic drive. There’s no clutch needed to change from forward to reverse direction, it is just instant and variable speed.

 

 

Engine

There is a choice of engines available for the BCS 770, the slightly cheaper option is the Honda 11.7 hp petrol engine. My preferred choice is the Yanmar 9 hp diesel engine, although, it is slightly more expensive. I don’t want to underestimate the efficiency and reliability of the Honda engines as they are probably the best petrol engines on the market.

However, for jobs like rotavating, I much prefer a diesel engine as it provides low-down torque. Sometimes when you are digging hard ground, you only need low revs so that the machine has an opportunity to actually dig in the ground rather than bounce over the top. At the same time, you still need enough low-down power for the engine to perform.

 

 

Rotavator

The 66 cm (26 inch) rotavator attachment is wide enough to cover the ground quickly but narrow enough to go through the average garden gate. With a digging depth of 8 inches, the rotavator has the ability to quickly transform an area of ground. There are 20 hard-wearing, replaceable tines on the rotavator. For easy depth control, there is simply a lever attached to a skid. Move the lever up and the machine will dig deeper, lower the skid and the machine will dig more fleet.

The BCS two-wheeled tractors all come with adjustable handles, which is great for operator comfort. The handles can also be offset so that freshly tilled ground does not need to be trodden down.

 

Attachments

One of the many advantages of the BCS range of two-wheeled tractors is the fact that there are a number of attachments. These range from tillage, lawn care and many miscellaneous implements.

The attachments in the cultivation department include; an adjustable ridger, cultivator kit, power harrow, reversible plough, rotary plough, rotavator, single furrow plough, tined cultivator, stone burier and trailed ridger.

In the grass maintenance line of accessories or implements include; scarifier, mulching mower, sickle bar type mowers, flail mower, hay rake, mini baler and rotary mower.

Other miscellaneous accessories include; Buck rake, chipper shredder, dozer blade, power brush, snowblower, snowplough, stump grinder and trailer.

 

 

Steering Brakes And Differential Lock

For ease-of-use, the BCS 770 is fitted with steering brakes which help to manoeuvre the machine in tight spaces. There is also an independent differential lock which can be engaged at any time. A differential-lock, locks the driving wheels together so that both drive together, giving extra traction. However, the differential lock needs to be disengaged for turning, otherwise turning will be almost impossible.

 

 

To Conclude

I have never owned a rotavator with hydrostatic drive. However, I really like the idea of having a machine with variable speed forward and reverse. No clutch or gears to change, all on one lever!

Another great asset with the BCS two-wheeled tractors is the fact they have a good number of implements and attachments that fit their machines.

As I mentioned earlier, my preferred engine would be the diesel for the reasons mentioned above.

Specification

BCS 770HY Engine

Model	Honda GX390	Yanmar LN100
Fuel	Petrol	Diesel
Net Power Output	11.7hp / 8.7kW @3600rpm	9.0hp / 6.7kW @3600rpm
Starting	Recoil	Recoil
Fuel Tank Capacity	6.1L	5.5L
Fuel Consumption	3.5L per hour @3600rpm	2.1L per hour @3600rpm

BCS 770HY Power Unit

No of Speeds	2 ranges – slow & fast
Speeds	Slow:	Up to 4.3km per hour
	Fast:	Up to 6.4km per hour
Brakes	Steering brakes
	Parking brake
Differential	Locking differential
Wheels	5.00 x 10 agricultural
Weight	Honda GX390:	138kg
	Yanmar LN100:	158kg
Dimensions	Length:	200cm
	Width:	75cm (at handlebars)
		58cm (at wheels)
	Height:	120cm
Warranty	Domestic use:	3 years
	Commercial use:	2 years

BCS Rotary Hoe

Digging Width	66cm (26″)
Digging Depth	20cm (8″)
No of Tines	20
Weight	40kg