Mystery Cultivator??

[slingworks]

Over the past weekend I went on a vacation to a local machinery consignment auction. Bought a few things, including this mystery Cultivator below.

Im not sure who made it, but from the wheels, bolts and tines, It's European made. Anyone see one like this or have any commentary?

I've really only seen/used the plain tool bar type. The width of the rows adjust with a crank, fairly handy if you ask me. It has all 12 tines, I just took a couple off to fit on the trailer better.

 

[bmaverick]

Over the past weekend I went on a vacation to a local machinery consignment auction. Bought a few things, including this mystery Cultivator below.

Im not sure who made it, but from the wheels, bolts and tines, It's European made. Anyone see one like this or have any commentary?

I've really only seen/used the plain tool bar type. The width of the rows adjust with a crank, fairly handy if you ask me. It has all 12 tines, I just took a couple off to fit on the trailer better.

View attachment 5678868

I recently inherited a crank cultivator, 70 years ago made in the USA.

Yet, yours looks way better! Congrats on the amazing find!

 

[paulsharvey]

It unpins and swings out, right? Just looking at it, thats what it looks like. I did a quick Google search, and didnt gind anything similar.

 

[paulsharvey]

What you’ve got there is not a typical U.S. toolbar cultivator—your instinct about it being European is probably right.
What it is (most likely)
This is a multi-row adjustable frame row-crop cultivator, often called a:
“V-frame” or “scissor-frame” cultivator
Sometimes seen on European market-garden or small-scale row crop setups
The key identifiers in your photo:
Scissor / parallelogram arms that pivot outward
Center crank mechanism → adjusts row spacing symmetrically
Gauge wheels on each section for depth control
Multiple S-tines (spring tines) for inter-row cultivation
That crank-driven width adjustment is a big clue—this exact concept shows up on adjustable-frame cultivators where the entire tool widens or narrows while keeping tine angles correct. �
Earth Tools
About the “opening up” action (you’re right)
Yes — it opens wider toward the rear during adjustment, but not while working dynamically.
When you turn the crank:
The rear arms swing outward like a fan
This increases spacing between rows evenly from the center
In the field:
It runs fixed in that position
It’s not meant to actively expand/contract while moving
Think of it like setting row spacing on a planter—adjust once, then go.
What it was designed for
This style is typically used for:
Vegetable rows (market gardens)
High-value row crops
Small European tractors / tool carriers
Compared to U.S. rigs:
U.S.: rigid toolbar, slide clamps
This: centralized adjustment = faster, more precise row matching
European machines often emphasize:
Fine adjustment
Symmetry
Working multiple narrow rows at once
Closest modern equivalents
Not exact matches, but similar concepts:
Italian/Bio cultivators (like Aldo Biagioli designs)
Vineyard/orchard adjustable tine cultivators �
MG Equipment Company
Small-scale adjustable frame systems used with walk-behind or compact tractors
My read on your exact unit
Based on layout and build:
Likely 1970s–1990s European import
Possibly:
Italian
French
Eastern European (a lot of similar designs came out of there)
The 12 tines + twin wing layout suggests:
Designed to straddle multiple rows (probably 4–6 rows depending on spacing)
Could be set up with:
Sweeps (weed slicing)
Narrow points (soil loosening)
Practical takeaway
It’s actually a pretty slick piece of equipment:
Pros
Fast row spacing adjustment (huge for mixed crops)
Good contour following from multiple gauge wheels
Balanced pull (symmetrical design)
Cons
More moving parts than a toolbar
Harder to find exact replacement parts
Setup can be fiddly if bent/worn
Bottom line
You’ve got a European-style adjustable multi-row cultivator with a scissor-expanding frame—and yes, it looks like it opens up in the back because the whole frame spreads via that crank system.
If you want, send the other angles or close-ups (especially the crank mechanism and tine mounts). There’s a decent chance I can narrow it down to a specific manufacturer.

 

[paulsharvey]

Its from a different angle, but could it be this?

 

[bmaverick]

Over the past weekend I went on a vacation to a local machinery consignment auction. Bought a few things, including this mystery Cultivator below.

Im not sure who made it, but from the wheels, bolts and tines, It's European made. Anyone see one like this or have any commentary?

I've really only seen/used the plain tool bar type. The width of the rows adjust with a crank, fairly handy if you ask me. It has all 12 tines, I just took a couple off to fit on the trailer better.

View attachment 5678868

I found one just like it, but unknown brand is stated. However, it has more parts to it !

Used Adjustable Width Cultivator | AgDealer

Used Adjustable Width Cultivator for sale by Stoneage Equipment in Ontario. Find pricing, financing options and hours of usage at AgDealer.com

www.agdealer.com

 

[bmaverick]

I found this. The link is dead, but there are words here,

 

[bmaverick]

Maybe a Grubber?

Grubber, € 350,- (2380 Perchtoldsdorf) - willhaben

Grubber. 13.524.732 Angebote. Günstig kaufen und gratis inserieren auf willhaben - der größte Marktplatz Österreichs.

www.willhaben.at

 

[bmaverick]

Another in France to be the same model,

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/materiel_agricole/3151848763

 

[bmaverick]

Another in France,

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/materiel_agricole/3172440158

 

[slingworks]

Amazing you found those listings. I Used Google search and found zero.

I knew it was European from the wheel design, metric bolts and Danish type tines all in one. Thought it maybe Italian or Danish made, but was just a guess. I don't think it needs anything, although if I break a tine or point would be good to know what would fit. Best I can tell they're pretty standard types?

20 years ago I was a "Truck Farmer" and grew about 20 acres of sweet corn/beans etc. So yeah, I've always had a bit of fascination with cultivators/vegetable related implements. (Sort of like that 85 year old guy who still buys shovels and sledge hammers at auctions). Mainly stuff I didn't have money for in my 20's....!!

Nowdays we just put in about an acre of garden and maybe 3/4 acre of sweet corn. I plan to give it a try when it's time for it.

 

[slingworks]

Its from a different angle, but could it be this?View attachment 5709706

Yep that's 100% it. I better take a permanent marker and write that on the frame! Interesting it's cataloged as having 11 springs/tines and I have 12. I think it came with a spare? LOL