Small stuff that I didn't think I needed

flingwing1969 · Mar 3, 2018

Shop Items You Should Have
• Two complete sets of combination wrenches
• Complete set of regular and deep-well sockets and ratchet wrenches – ½” if you can only afford one
• Large breaker bar
• Good compressor with fair capacity – no pancakes here
• Large high capacity air wrench
• Grinder or two with grinding wheels and cutoff wheels – 4 ½” works but one of those and 8” is better
• Learn to weld and do it often so get a nice welder when you can – 180amp or better
• Plasma cutter, oxy/ace set, chop-saw, cold cut saw or the like (all is better) if you will be fabricating
• A good grease gun (cordless electric is great) and a Locknlube® Grease Coupler will make your life easy
• Work Lights
• ½” Drill and quality bits up to ½” in size (two of each you’ll appreciate)
• Drill press and bits
• Pry bars
• Etc, etc, etc.

Tractor Carry Items
• Spare key
• A good fire extinguisher mounted on the tractor
• Extra hairpin clips
• Extra ouch clips
• Extra TPH Pin or pins
• Spare Shear Pins (as appropriate)
• Spare fuses - at least a couple of each your tractor uses
• A small first aid kit.
• Ear muffs
• Gloves
• Shop Rags or Paper Towels
• Set of combination wrenches for common nuts/bolts on your tractor
• Properly sized adjustable wrench
• Silicon fusing tape – for emergency repairs
• Zip ties
• Flashlight and spare batteries – keep one of the flashlight batteries backwards in the flashlight to prevent discharge over time as you are unlikely to use this much
• Channel-Lock pliers
• Tubeless tire plugs – you may not be able to fill a tire but you might catch it before it’s flat and limp home
• Hammer or better yet, a hatchet with a hammer end on it
• Waterless hand cleaner would be appreciated after a greasy field repair

Tractor Mods You Will Appreciate
• Work lights front and rear, heck put one on each side too – use relays, fuses, and waterproof switches
• Horn – I know, HUH? You’ll be surprised how often you use it when working with friends and family
• Tool/materials boxes where ever you can find a spot for them
• At least one chain box/basket mounted somewhere
• SSQA if you don’t have one and if your FEL capacity will handle the weight and still serve you
• TPH quick connect, unless you keep your backhoe on most of the time like I do
• 2” trailer receiver on the front – they do more than give you the ability to push a trailer
• Bucket/forks chain hooks – either welded on or quality bolt on hooks
• Cup/bottle holder – find a place to put it and you’ll love it on a cold/hot day
• Inclinometer for those tippy times – cheep, look kinda cool, and available from Jeep shops
• Top quality battery – the one that comes with most tractors are not. Mine is 50 amp hours and they want $300+ for a replacement when I can get a 125 amp hour car battery for well under $200.
• Two or three good length ratchet straps - you'll find a world of uses for them

newbury · Mar 3, 2018

Well I saw chains mentioned a few times but not much attention paid to ropes and straps.
For chains get a bunch, different thickness, different lengths.
I bought most of my chains at HF, 5/16 x 20 ft but GAD they've gotten expensive. I was paying about $25 back in 2009, now they were $40 w/ coupon and will probably be a lot more with a 25% steel tarrif. And get load binders.

I cut the chain up for different sizes, have some dedicated for strapping the tractor down some for towing things. I've got a few 1/2" chains for when loads get serious.

Also get plenty of different sized rope and twine. I've bought since 2009 1/2" bull rope, 1/2" nylon (x 300 ft), 1/4" nylon (x600'), 1/4" manila (x600 ft) and nylon twine (1,000 feet), all bought by the roll. And some sizes I'm starting to run out of. If I'm going anywhere more than a few yards from the shop I always make sure I've got some 1/4" or better with me.

I also like ratchet straps but some people don't.

Wagtail · Mar 3, 2018

flingwing1969 said:
Shop Items You Should Have
• Two complete sets of combination wrenches
• Complete set of regular and deep-well sockets and ratchet wrenches – ½” if you can only afford one
• Large breaker bar
• Good compressor with fair capacity – no pancakes here
• Large high capacity air wrench
• Grinder or two with grinding wheels and cutoff wheels – 4 ½” works but one of those and 8” is better
• Learn to weld and do it often so get a nice welder when you can – 180amp or better
• Plasma cutter, oxy/ace set, chop-saw, cold cut saw or the like (all is better) if you will be fabricating
• A good grease gun (cordless electric is great) and a Locknlube® Grease Coupler will make your life easy
• Work Lights
• ½” Drill and quality bits up to ½” in size (two of each you’ll appreciate)
• Drill press and bits
• Pry bars
• Etc, etc, etc.

Tractor Carry Items
• Spare key
• A good fire extinguisher mounted on the tractor
• Extra hairpin clips
• Extra ouch clips
• Extra TPH Pin or pins
• Spare Shear Pins (as appropriate)
• A small first aid kit.
• Ear muffs
• Gloves
• Shop Rags or Paper Towels
• Set of combination wrenches for common nuts/bolts on your tractor
• Properly sized adjustable wrench
• Silicon fusing tape – for emergency repairs
• Zip ties
• Flashlight and spare batteries – keep one of the flashlight batteries backwards to prevent discharge
• Channel-Lock pliers
• Tubeless tire plugs – you may not be able to fill a tire but you might catch it before it’s flat and limp home
• Hammer or better yet, a hatchet with a hammer end on it
• Waterless hand cleaner would be appreciated after a greasy field repair

Tractor Mods You Will Appreciate
• Work lights front and rear, heck put one on each side too – use relays, fuses, and waterproof switches
• Horn – I know, HUH? You’ll be surprised how often you use it when working with friends and family
• Tool/materials boxes where ever you can find a spot for them
• At least one chain box/basket mounted somewhere
• SSQA if you don’t have one and if your FEL capacity will handle the weight and still serve you
• TPH quick connect, unless you keep your backhoe on most of the time like I do
• 2” trailer receiver on the front – they do more than give you the ability to push a trailer
• Bucket/forks chain hooks – either welded on or quality bolt on hooks
• Cup/bottle holder – find a place to put it and you’ll love it on a cold/hot day
• Inclinometer for those tippy times – cheep, look kinda cool, and available from Jeep shops
• Top quality battery – the one that comes with most tractors are not. Mine is 50 amp hours and they want
$300+ for a replacement when I can get a 125 amp hour car battery for well under $200.

Nice list... and thanks for producing it. :thumbsup:

flingwing1969 · Mar 3, 2018

Yes on this good point and I added it to my list for sure - especially ratchet straps, I always carry a couple as they are easy to use for stabilizing a load on forks or in the bucket. Ropes can be handy but if space is at a premium, you can do most of what you need to do with the straps and they don't take up nearly the room - and many don't know how to tie a good trucker's hitch or other hitches/knots.

I also forgot to add spare fuses to the list.