Must have tools/equipment for a new tractor owner

[94BULLITT]

A torque wrench for checking loader bolts and the wheels.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I've been looking at drawbars as I have a number of trees down that I will need to skid out of the woods. There are a number on ebay that look pretty good. Any opinion on what would work well for that?

Cross drawbar, tractor hook, and choker chains at TSC. Simple, inexpensive, and useful.

 

[Creamer]

Hearing and eye protection for a 32 hp tractor??????

 

[newbury]

Start building a collection of "fasteners". Get various ratchet straps, chains, zip ties, wire, ropes etc. It's always good to be able to grab the right piece of rope or chain to be able to secure your future.

 

[MHarryE]

If you do your own maintenance, you will probably find like me that the hydrostatic filter is super heavy duty and is really tight. Removing it will destroy any normal filter wrench. I have a plumber's strap wrench for that job. When you mentioned drawbar, I hope you weren't referring to the bar they sell for using between the lower links on your 3 point. Dragging trees out of the woods should be done with the tractor drawbar, clevis pinned to it, and a chain. Your operator manual will cover this. Pulling from higher can cause rear flips. Different with 3 point attachments as they are designed to prevent rearward rollover accidents. I also have a pair of really larger Channel-Loks to change my fuel filter although many will slam me for using pliers on a tractor, but the lock ring on the filter can be tough to remove. I have a Lincoln electric grease gun. My mini-excavator has a large decal on it, "I Live on Grease" but this is a nice to have, not a need to have.

 

[MBTRAC]

Hearing and eye protection for a 32 hp tractor??????

All depends how much you value your sight & hearing, consider (specific to ChalieG's initial post as a new tractor owner):
a) Eye Protection
- Rotary cutters run a blade tip speed of c. 15000 FPM (Feet per Minute) & therefore has the potential to eject objects at c.170mph....as most who regularly use this implement in farm field conditions can attest, so called "safety" chains/guards are far from a "catch all" for all debris (sticks, grass stalks, weeds/ prickles, & worse of all rocks) may be be thrown out in all directions.....the.operator's back covered in assorted dust/debris in a non cab tractor, scratched or shattered rear cab windows & the fitment of rear mesh guards on ROPs frames is indicative of the potential injury risk from flying/ricocheting debris .....rotary cutting is akin to using a "monster" lawn mower without a catcher often in less than manicured surrounds - neither low risk for the operator, nor a spectator sport
- Operator face impacts on low hanging branches/shrubs, particularly by newer/occasional tractor drivers watching the implement too closely rather than obstacles in the direction of travel
- FEL use generates dust, grit & debris, more so when the wind is blowing

b) Hearing Protection
- Sustained maximum exposure for the average person before risking hearing loss:
8 hours @ 85 (dB) (A)
4 hours @ 88 (dB) (A)
1 hour @ 94 (dB) (A)
Running a rotary cutter, for the operator an open ROPS L3200 would be upwards of 90(dB)(A)

c) a 32HP Tractor ?
Tractor size doesn't mitigate risk potential for injury to eyes or hearing, or for that matter your life.
Irrespective of size all tractors have the inherent potential to maim & cause fatalities, arguably more so in smaller tractors that are often in the hands of new/inexperienced operators, but then "old hands" often become complacent too.......not too long ago on a nearby farm, tragically an experienced/professional tractor operator drowned when pinned underwater when his small ride on mower rolled into a pond in his house garden (probably mowed around that pond many hundred times prior without incident).

CharlieG - Don't let all this diatribe put you off from the pure "fun" of tractor/rural ownership (I sure wouldn't swap "lifestyles" after a lifetime on the land), just like car driving it's an acquired skill & takes a little time to master - you've purchase a good piece of gear, so have fun, be safe & keep asking questions......that's how we all gain new insights.
As a new tractor owner/operator, you may find the following link interesting, it's c.5MB:-
http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/worksafe/PDF/Guides/Safe_use_of_tractors_with_attachmen.pdf

 

[Danner]

Diesel storage tank

 

[Bob77064]

Special adjusting tool (hammer)

 

[raptor749]

Weld on hooks for the loader bucket to help pick up stuff with the loader, ( help keep things close to the bucket & secure ) injoy your new tractor and be safe ..

 

[TripleR]

Man, it has been very well covered with nothing essential left out only nice to have items in your shop. We find nitrile gloves really handy doing maintenance and other tasks so keep a box handy, can't beat waterless hand cleaner to cleanse your hands, roll of tough paper towels, and can't think of anything else.

I personally prefer good quality tools and don't buy anything cheap, cheap tools are all my father in law bought, so this varies. I personally prefer the adjustable finger type filter wrench after using both types.