Tractor toolbox

[Kscardsfan]

We surprised my dad with a 1974 Ford 4000 SU for Christmas this year, and I am trying to put together a set of necessary tools for the box on his tractor. What do you guys who play with tractors leave onboard? He has a bum right hand, so I am trying to avoid crescent wrenches as much as possible for this one; plus I have a giant stack of duplicate and triplicate tools in the garage I can pare down some with this plan. Thank you all.

 

[OneEyedMan]

I’d guess a set of wrenches 1/2-7/8 or so, 1/2 breaker bar with sockets in the same sizes, smaller pry bar, drift punch, and a ball peen hammer would cover most tasks.


Edit to ad: I like the Harbor Freight tool roll. A pair of vise grips, wrenches, multi bit screw driver, and the big stuff loose in the box.

 

[KenB]

Can of starting fluid. Simple 12v (non-LED) test light. Spare lynch pins. Spool of baling wire.

Ken

 

[GarageHobbyist]

Is this for repairing the tractor in the field, or just general tools to have while he is running around on it?

I don't have a big tractor, but off the top of my head I would set him up with:
A set of combination wrenches common to the tractor
Plier Wrench from your preferred brand to take the place of the adjustable wrench for quick tasks or odd sized nuts and bolts.
Ball Peen Hammer
A couple pair of locking pliers with different jaws
Socket set with shallow and deep sockets and some different extensions
Phillips and Flat Screwdrivers of different sizes
Pry bar
Long nose pliers
Utility Knife
A few assorted hose clamps
Small spool of bailing/safety wire

That would be a good start

 

[65k10]

Since it's not a large tractor and no cab, here's what I would carry that should cover the basic field adjustments and repairs without taking up a large amount of space.

-1/2 drive sockets, 7/16 to 15/16. I would be tempted to go up to 1-1/8, but it might be better to just add sockets above 15/16 as needed to save space.
-5" long 1/2 extension
-10" long 1/2 ratchet
-15" or 18" 1/2 breaker bar. 18" preferred if space allows
-7/16 to 15/16 combination wrenches
-10" water pump pliers. something like a set of Knipex Cobras/Alligators preferred, but Channellock style will do
-10" vise grip with wire cutter
-6-in-1 style screwdriver
-24oz ball peen hammer
-5/16 pin punch
-17" or so striking cap pry bar the Wilde made ones sold at Walmart as Hyper tough or Menards as Masterforce are a good affordable option

Others things that would be nice to have if budget and space allows.
-needle nose pliers or vise grip
-25" long striking cap pry bar
-3 to 4lb hammer
-rolling head pry bar since it allows for prying from different angles and acts as a line-up bar
-fencing tool

That selection is pretty close to what I keep in most of my farm/ranch tractors. However, since most are larger (over 100hp) and have cabs I do have other assorted tools and the breaker bars get upgraded to long ratchets.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I use my JD 2032R to cut wood at my parents. I have some basic tools in it but since I run the chainsaw around it, I keep a CAT tourniquet in it as well.

 

[4x4Pete]

Any tools required for attachments like a hammer maybe some specific combination wrenches, prybar. I'd put a fire extinguisher on it if it doesn't have one or replace the one that is there if it is out of date. Grease gun, maybe, maybe not.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I wouldn't be filling the tool box with tools for working on the tractor, but instead with the ones I use when hooking up or detaching attachments. Things like an alignment bar, crowbar, hammer, extra lynch pins, a rag to wipe my hands when they find grease.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I use my JD 2032R to cut wood at my parents. I have some basic tools in it but since I run the chainsaw around it, I keep a CAT tourniquet in it as well.

I leave CAT tourniquets in my chaps, and in both front doors of all our vehicles. I need to add an IBD and IFAK to my wife's car. My patrol truck has a CAT in each door and an IFAK under every seat so no matter what they can be accessed.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I wouldn't be filling the tool box with tools for working on the tractor, but instead with the ones I use when hooking up or detaching attachments. Things like an alignment bar, crowbar, hammer, extra lynch pins, a rag to wipe my hands when they find grease.

That's more what I am thinking, since any major work will likely involve a go bag or a trip back to the shop.

 

[Sumboodie]

I leave CAT tourniquets in my chaps, and in both front doors of all our vehicles. I need to add an IBD and IFAK to my wife's car. My patrol truck has a CAT in each door and an IFAK under every seat so no matter what they can be accessed.

I had no idea CAT made tourniquets.

 

[seber]

Pipe wrench because if you need a wrench in the field, it is going to be on old wasted hardware. A two pound hammer. I used an engineers hammer. Channellock pliers. An eight inch drift. Large cold chisel. If you can find room for it, a two foot pry bar. All those fine mechanics tools should stay in the garage. Plenty of lynch pins and a rag as Yankeefarmer recommended. You won't believe how many lynch pins disappear.

 

[jblnut]

If you look in any of the tractors I have on the farm I guarantee at least what’s below will be in each toolbox. Add or remove things as you see fit.

Rusty pliers
Three broken screwdrivers with wooden handles
18 1/2” wrenches
14 9/16” wrenches
Assortment of rusty bolts and nuts. Make sure none of the threads are good.
Broken sickle section or two
Couple hitch pins
1/2” of dirt on the bottom of the toolbox to keep things from rattling.

 

[PCustoms]

I had no idea CAT made tourniquets.

Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T)

The CAT uses a windlass system with free-moving internal band to provide true circumferential pressure in the event of a traumatic wound with significant hemorrhage.

www.narescue.com

 

[tarmy]

This is my set up. Enough tools to fix basic **** on whatever I am tinkering with. Chain, rope, tow straps, gloves, saw/clippers for brush, garbage bags, hat and the remotes for the garage and gates.

 

[JeepYJ]

Plierswrench or two
Hammer
Needle nose pliers
Tape measure
6” or 8” magnetic level (good for leveling implements)
Lady slipper pry bar (one end that is tapered for aligning holes for pins)
Extra R clips and lynch pins
Utility knife
Tape of some sort
Twine or wire
Survey ribbon tape
Spare key
Gloves
Shop rag

 

[Beerhippie]

Isn't there a shear pin in the PTO? Better have several if so, and the tools to change one out.

 

[JeepYJ]

Isn't there a shear pin in the PTO? Better have several if so, and the tools to change one out.

Keep the shear bolts with the attachment they belong to so you know they’re the right ones.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

Dad always kept a pair of pliers, a hammer, a crescent wrench, a flathead, a Phillips, baling wire, electrical tape, a tarp strap, and extra lynch pins.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

And on older gas tractors he kept one of Mom’s old emery boards for cleaning points.

 

[johninct]

Not to many things. Hitch pins, hammer, pliers, screw drivers, round pry bar and anything else that he finds he actually needs/ uses. It is a tractor meant for work and not be a driving tool cart.

 

[cherrybomb]

When I get a new vehicle to me,I inspect it,the fasteners. I ask myself do I the tools to adjust,remove and replace that part.If I don't, then do I have an extra I can transfer?Then if I do,transfer the tool.If not,can I transfer the tool,and I can upgrade to the main box a tool with more features or better quality. I also inspect the fasteners,if the previous owner used nothing but a pliers and a crescent wrench ,its time to maybe replace a fasteneror two.In my little world I like to pre plan,it makes wrenching easier and more enjoyable
I am a retired old trucker,back in the day I stopped to help a youngster broken down,no tools or parts,I got him going and gave him the wrench,I up graded when I got home,thats my story for the day!L.OL!
Before you need the tool,get the tool!

 

[finn]

7/16 box wrench for the snow blower shear pin, and an 8” adjustable wrench that sometimes doubles as a hammer for pounding in uncooperative lynch pins.

Wish it was a little bigger so it would accommodate an alignment drift punch.

My tractor mounted tool box is the plastic factory one that came with the tractor. Unfortunately it gets water inside through the top handle openings / pivots. Some day I’ll replace it with something that has a gasketed top. Can’t be too big or it will restrict access to the fuel tank, behind the back window.

I mostly keep pins, etc in the box. Tools (the couple I carry) stay inside the cab on the floor or in the cup holder where they stay dry.

Chain stays on the floor, too, as do a couple of shackles.

 

[Steve_P]

I wouldn't be filling the tool box with tools for working on the tractor, but instead with the ones I use when hooking up or detaching attachments. Things like an alignment bar, crowbar, hammer, extra lynch pins, a rag to wipe my hands when they find grease.

Agree with this. I'm not a farmer, but have spent some time on one and you're often fighting at hooking/unhooking equipment. Hammer, big drift to knock out pins, spare pins, alignment bar, pry bar, some type of Channellock type plier, vise grips, rags, hand cleaner...

And of course, a basic first aid kit if there isn't already one.

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

If you look in any of the tractors I have on the farm I guarantee at least what’s below will be in each toolbox. Add or remove things as you see fit.

Rusty pliers
Three broken screwdrivers with wooden handles
18 1/2” wrenches
14 9/16” wrenches
Assortment of rusty bolts and nuts. Make sure none of the threads are good.
Broken sickle section or two
Couple hitch pins
1/2” of dirt on the bottom of the toolbox to keep things from rattling.

That's pretty damned accurate.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Our local Family Farm and Home store (like TSC) has these two straps usually in sale for $5 a few times a year. I have one in the toolbox as well.




I might add, this is my tool box. Put stuff in it with thought, it'll hold a lot.

 

[jblnut]

Decided to look in the toolbox of the chore tractor to see what was in there


Oh my. Trailer dust cap, lynch pins, pliers, 1/2" and 9/16" wrenches, bent bolts, striped nuts, washers, female hydraulic coupler, bushings for something (3pt hitch likely), spare devil clips to switch PTO shafts from 540 to 1000, bent nails to stick in hitch pins, a rag and some dirt.


Bottom compartment is WAY cleaner than I expected !!! Utility knife, old fuel filter, 3pt bushings, that wooden handled screwdriver I said was needed, vise grips, channel iron used as a hydraulic cylinder stop, and a maroon corn cob for some reason

 

[PCustoms]

Decided to look in the toolbox of the chore tractor to see what was in there


Oh my. Trailer dust cap, lynch pins, pliers, 1/2" and 9/16" wrenches, bent bolts, striped nuts, washers, female hydraulic coupler, bushings for something (3pt hitch likely), spare devil clips to switch PTO shafts from 540 to 1000, bent nails to stick in hitch pins, a rag and some dirt.


Bottom compartment is WAY cleaner than I expected !!! Utility knife, old fuel filter, 3pt bushings, that wooden handled screwdriver I said was needed, vise grips, channel iron used as a hydraulic cylinder stop, and a maroon corn cob for some reason

I'll have to check mine later, but I think:

Spare switch for 3rd function
Screwdriver to change switch
Extra pins
Ratchet strap
Pliers

 

[JeepYJ]

Utility knife

Bonus points if the blade is rusted so much the edge looks like a serrated knife.
Triple bonus for mouse nest.

 

[Robinson1]

Lynch pins, shear bolts, spare top link pin, R clips, cotter pins, a couple electric fence insulators and some random nuts and bolts.

Actual tools

12 inch adjustable wrench, wire cutters, medium sized channel lock, a couple cheap screwdrivers. There’s usually a chain and a 3 pound hammer in the floor of the cab

 

[Tractorsellr]

All I keep in my tractors are Lynch Pins, extra Top link pin, gloves, fuses and Channel locks. Im not going to be working on my tractors away from the shop.