tools for farm work

[paramedic]

i just got hired to do some part time work as a mechanic on a farm. which has now come out to a total of 5 farms and about 30 hours a week after the farmer brought me up at weekly breakfast. i worked throughout highschool on a dairy farm and weekends in a tractor repair shop. for the shop i had my own tools but im running into some interesting issues. like pneumatics and electricity are not always available. i bought a dewalt cordless impact. i have all the basic hand tools i need. except a long handle half inch ratchet (im looking at allen brand). but now for my question to you fulltime mechanics when you have to go to a wierd in the field job what do you religiously take with you.
for me its my cordless tool bag, basic hand tools including some huge stuff, brake cleaner, multimeter and my own heavy jack stands

 

[tonydanzah]

gas powered air compressor, maybe a railroad style jack, bag of rags, waterless hand cleaner, pistol grip style grease gun, ratchet straps, long pipe, long breaker bar or maybe a tanker bar. Running out of ideas here...high quality kneeling pad or good knee pads. I have a small tool bag with a frame built in, you can open it up and sit on it weighs maybe 2lbs empty and will support my 275lbs frame. Really good high power led flashlight.

 

[fordbroncodave]

hy lift jack, grease gun, 3/4" drive set and standard nomination tools

 

[Hank McMauser]

I'd really suggest you get some ggod sized planks to put under your jacks or jackstands out in the field try some chunks of lvl header material any decent lumberyard will have a pile of shorts and you can usually wheel & deal with them also a tarp to put down to catch all the little parts you drop and keep you a little bit cleaner
also if they sell concrete supplies buy a roll of rebar tie wire for a few dollars you'll get a spool of wire you'll find 1001 uses for..... better than duct tape

 

[highland512]

+1 on the tie wire, you can also find it in many of the big box stores. The hi-lift jack is also a good idea, don't go buy some cheap china look-a-like because they make the hi-lift in my home town! (A true family owned business.) You may also want to get some coffee cans with lids or something like them to store nuts and bolts in if your working in the field.

 

[dustin19]

my entire truck goes with me........ filled with everything from 1/4 drive to 3/4 ...... also every size wrench u can imagine....... 20 pound sledge has saved me a couple times.

 

[paramedic]

its funny cause it sounds liek all of you guys have laid in the dirt before. haha its a whole new ball game i could tear apart a tractor in the shop and put it back together no problem in highschool. now im in the dirt and handycapped by not haveing pneumatics plus im feeling my age. but they are willing to pay so im willing to take some ibuprophen

 

[dustin19]

its funny cause it sounds liek all of you guys have laid in the dirt before. haha its a whole new ball game i could tear apart a tractor in the shop and put it back together no problem in highschool. now im in the dirt and handycapped by not haveing pneumatics plus im feeling my age. but they are willing to pay so im willing to take some ibuprophen

ehh i have layed in knee high cow craps a couples times after tractors have broke down in the middle of clearing the **** out.

 

[J.P.]

I do all the mechanic/maintenance work on our farm. Obviously there are tons of different situations a guy has to deal with in the field but a couple of crescent wrenches (or more recently, a couple of knipex plier wrenches), some electrical wire and a box of various connectors, a good leatherman, a hammer and a lining bar have saved the day more than once.

For what its worth, I've always preferred a good bottle jack and a couple of boards over a handyman jack, at least for farm equipment. I saw some ugly situations with handyman and/or hi-lift jacks on our farm in my youth.

The advice on the wire is spot on too.

 

[Scout Driver]

Coming from a farm kid......Get a Hi-Lift jack (along with a few heavy blocks of wood). A few cans of brake cleaner. Starting fluid. Test light. Six sided sockets. A few cans (just buy a case!) of PB Blast penetrating oil. A few cans of SeaFoam. A big can of wasp and hornet killer! A short, heavy hammer will be more useful than you can imagine. 3/4" drive sockets. I could go on and on.... Oh yea, I use Allen tools and really like them.

Scott

 

[Displaced Hokie]

One of those giant adjustable wrenches...invaluable. And a big hammer. And a long pipe. A 3/4" set too. Unfortunately a lot of farm implements just need manhandling as it's so heavy, so as many jacks, jackstands, boards, come-al-ongs, etc you have the better off you'll be as you may not have much help.

 

[sberry]

Are you walking to this job or riding a horse?

 

[ksfarmboy]

Everyone else has pretty much covered it, but I would add that it's nice to have at least a small selection of bolts, nuts, and washers. They break and/or get lost in the dirt and grass.

As far as electricity and air, here is the answer:
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/enginedriven/trailblazer_302_air_pak/
No way I could ever afford it, but it's nice to dream right?

 

[Mike83]

Are you looking at the Allen 1/2" flex ratchet (18 incher) from Menards? I have that on my wishlist too - at $40 it is quite reasonable!

 

[Scout Driver]

Are you looking at the Allen 1/2" flex ratchet (18 incher) from Menards? I have that on my wishlist too - at $40 it is quite reasonable!

Bought one this winter on sale for 15% off at Menard's. Very nice ratchet, especially for the money!

Scott

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

Don't forget fluids as well. Along with all the tools, planks for jacks, and etc, I always brought along a couple of gallons of Rotella heavy equipment motor oil and 2 to 3 gallons of Hydraulic oil.

You never know when you'll have to top off something after a line replacement.

I also always brought some 90 weight in a squeeze bottle as well. Just about all farm equipment with chains needs them lubricated.

A good pair of leather gloves is also a must as well as a few pairs of nitrile or latex gloves.

 

[bindernut]

Get a bottle jack that's rated at least 2000 pounds heavier than you'll ever need. And make sure you have some good stout timbers to put the jack on, as farm equipment ain't exactly low to the ground. I just went to the local hardware store & bought an 8"x10" timber like you see used for retaining walls, and cut it up w/ a chainsaw.

Make sure you have a set of snap ring pliers and a hook type cotter key puller. If your employer has old stuff, a good set of 8point sockets. Universal sockets, offset box wrenches, 4way angle wrenches are very handy, short wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, good set of pin punches, I could go on & on, I've got 5 old internationals I play with.

 

[dustin19]

Don't forget fluids as well. Along with all the tools, planks for jacks, and etc, I always brought along a couple of gallons of Rotella heavy equipment motor oil and 2 to 3 gallons of Hydraulic oil.

You never know when you'll have to top off something after a line replacement.

I also always brought some 90 weight in a squeeze bottle as well. Just about all farm equipment with chains needs them lubricated.

A good pair of leather gloves is also a must as well as a few pairs of nitrile or latex gloves.

nitrile latex gloves ? wtf scared to get ur hands dirty lol

 

[BigK600]

Are you looking at the Allen 1/2" flex ratchet (18 incher) from Menards? I have that on my wishlist too - at $40 it is quite reasonable!

I've been looking at that too. Its the same ratchet as the Craftsman RHFT(round head fine tooth) that sears has discontiune.


I'd just get this: http://www.montezumamfg.com/photo_port.php?image=30-19-steel/LA400R_(tray_open).jpg And filler up, I saw one a couple weeks ago looks like they can hold a ton of tools. I think it would be pretty slick to make a mount for my ATV so if when I have a field break down I'm good to go.

 

[bindernut]

Dustin19, some people are allergic to certain chemicals(brake clean tears my skin up if I don't wash it off immediately) & nitrile gloves are damn nice to have.

BigK600, I've looked at those before. The only problem is that they are heavy, and once you really fill one up, it takes 2 people to move the box.

 

[dustin19]

Dustin19, some people are allergic to certain chemicals(brake clean tears my skin up if I don't wash it off immediately) & nitrile gloves are damn nice to have.

BigK600, I've looked at those before. The only problem is that they are heavy, and once you really fill one up, it takes 2 people to move the box.

ehh never had the problem personally always consider the gloves to be more of a hassle then anything cant say how many times i dropped something do to gloves >.> ..........

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have a 5-ton and 10-ton porta-power that get alot of use working on farm equipment.

Build or buy an assortment of JIC plugs and caps, and pipe plugs and caps for hydraulic and sprayer repairs. I cap the line and fitting when I remove hoses, pumps, or cylinders for repair to avoid the oil leaks where you don't want them. Check with mechanic friends or your local parts house to find them, or get a kit set from e-bay.

The assortments from Harbor Freight are ok for most jobs, you will want hair-pins, star washers, o-rings, and roll-pins.
Menards has a big kit of standard nuts, bolts, lock, and flat washers that is ok for the basics.
Napa has a good metric assortment kit with nuts, washers, and short bolts.
Get a set of grease zerts in an assortment and remember to get a metric assortment too. I got a couple plastic parts boxes at Sears and filled them with the Deere metric zerts and their respective part numbers to re-stock it.
You will want an assortment of glass fuses, blade fuses, mini blade fuses, and possibly relays.

A Thread Cleaner set is always handy.

Invest in a car charger for your cordless tool batteries. I have mostly Dewalt 18volt tools and the charger in my truck is great for charging batteries when taking unpowered grain bins apart and the days without power in the winter.

Get a nylon seat cover from Snap-On for your truck, and or clean fuzzy tractor seats.

A big magnut with a release is great for finding nuts and springs in grass, corn, mud.

A good flashlight, and a snake-light or magnetic light.

A set of hose pinchers (Sears or any of the trucks have a set of plastic plier style ones that work well, you will need a lteast 2 of all 3 sizes.

A good funnel with a removable flex tube.

You will always want something from the shop, but with time you will become creative and find a way to get it done with what you have. There are still alot of old mechanics that use only crescents, vise grips, and a pair of Cee-Tee pilers.

 

[Goinlow]

I'd say a good screwdriver/pry bar so you can use it for both.

 

[crewchief888]

other than hand tools
stuff thats in my service truck
tap/die set several pry bars, couple "cheater" pipes, small magnetic trays, cordless drill, drill bits, extractor set, bushing/seal drivers wire connectors, couple spools of wire, mechanics wire, duct tape, elec tape. good multimeter. jumper harnesses, jumper cables

and especially in cold weather, extra gloves, hat, dry socks and a full tank of fuel. if i'm out in cold weather working all day, i start my truck up when i leave my house, and shut it off when i get home. ive burned up to 3/4 tank of fuel in a day's driving
being cold and wet aint no fun at all, and even worse if it's not even light out yet and i cant feel my feet.

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

nitrile latex gloves ? wtf scared to get ur hands dirty lol

Sometimes when pulling apart sprayers and other liquid spreading equipment you will come across some nasty chemicals such as Vydate or Methyl Parathion. Stuff that will make you extremely sick if it comes into contact with your skin.

More than a few times I've gone to replace tips on a our 12 row spray rig and had some of the bad stuff come out even after a rinse out.

When I'm not working around stuff with chemicals I don't use the gloves. As my dad said, "If dirt were deadly, we would have been dead a long time ago"

 

[Mike83]

I've been looking at that too. Its the same ratchet as the Craftsman RHFT(round head fine tooth) that sears has discontiune.

Actually the one you are talking about is the non-flex ratchet, but I know which one you are thinking of. Craftsman has the version I'm talking about (18" flex head 1/2" drive), but it has that funky I-beam design and rectangular handle. The Allen version is full polish with a knurled handle. I might go buy it tonight and I'll post it up.

 

[sberry]

I have a full service truck but use my pickup most of the time, I get real creative and used to carry a lot more than I do, have just learned to make most things do double duty and keep it simple. On the heavy truck I might have several socket sets, lots of stock, on the pickup one of something, couple coffee cans with bolts nuts vs whole rack on big truck, one 4 ton wire *** along, couple small chains and straps, only couple hammers, small torch vs large and spare tanks, etc.