My List of Shop Stuff, on-Tractor Items, and Nice to Have Tractor Mods

[flingwing1969]

I put this list together for me and for friends contemplating getting a new tractor. I also posted it on a "
Small stuff that I didn't think I needed" thread. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/390547-small-stuff-i-didnt-think.html

It is somewhat comprehensive but I'm always adding to it when a good idea comes up for something forgotten - like I always carry ratchet straps but forgot to mention them on my first list. I tried not to get into implements because those are really needs dependent - heck, I wouldn't live without an FEL but a guy/gal who mostly plows and harvests is much more concerned with TPH stuff.

Anyway, take it or leave it and let me know if you think of anything I've forgotten, especially the on-tractor stuff.

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 Fuses
• 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
• At least a couple of good length ratchet straps – you’ll find a world of uses for these

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.

 

[300UGUY]

I’ve never needed to carry a lot of tools, just a crescent wrench, a couple screwdrivers, and a pair of pliers. I’ve never needed to repair my tractor in the field, but then I drive a Kubota......��

 

[mapper]

I’ve never needed to carry a lot of tools, just a crescent wrench, a couple screwdrivers, and a pair of pliers. I’ve never needed to repair my tractor in the field, but then I drive a Kubota......��

Same for me, but I drive a Massey Ferguson.

 

[flingwing1969]

Never had the need with my B21 either and really no big need with my LS either. But you know Murphy's law on the subject? "If you're prepared, you'll never need it. But leave home without it, just once . . ." I was cleaning out my CJ-5's tool boxes yesterday and found stuff that has been in there for ten years and I didn't remember that I had - it was like Christmas.

 

[arizona98tj]

Nice to have tractor mods.....

The first thing I did when I got my new Massey Ferguson was to fab a custom skid plate for it. Just one day in the woods with it feeling naked and afraid was enough to convince me it was worth the $$.

 

[TheMan419]

If you are working far from home..... toilet paper.

 

[flingwing1969]

Nice - yes! A skid plate for sure - there is so much hanging down there that is really prone to damage. It is on my list.

 

[flingwing1969]

Good point. Toilet paper, for the fastidious amongst us.

 

[Redlands Okie]

I would think toilet paper might be even more important for those less fastidious

 

[flingwing1969]

I would think toilet paper might be even more important for those less fastidious

Maybe.

 

[TerryR]

I’ve never needed to carry a lot of tools, just a crescent wrench, a couple screwdrivers, and a pair of pliers. I’ve never needed to repair my tractor in the field, but then I drive a Kubota......��

Me neither, and I drive a John Deere.

Also after 20 years of tractor ownership I've never found a need for all that shop stuff either, like welder, plasma cutter, and double sets of wrenches. That's all fine if you want to justify more toys, but don't scare off potential tractor owners by telling them they have to buy lots of expensive stuff they don't need.

 

[mcfarmall]

Good list. I'd like to add a folding pruning saw to the on-board items...great for trimming those annoying branches here and there.

Also, what is an "ouch clip"?

 

[flingwing1969]

Good list. I'd like to add a folding pruning saw to the on-board items...great for trimming those annoying branches here and there.

Also, what is an "ouch clip"?

Yes, the pruning saw is a good idea, didn't think of it because I carry a small chainsaw with me - Stihl arborist's saw.

If you have ever had one snap back on you, you will know why it is so named.

 

[BCWoodtick]

If you are looking for another shop tool I didn't have a gear puller and couldn't get a sprocket off a shaft? Brass punch, sledge hammer with neighbor on a 4' pry bar, oh and tiger torch with no success?!?!? $60 gear pulley and 5min with no help.

 

[flingwing1969]

If you are looking for another shop tool I didn't have a gear puller and couldn't get a sprocket off a shaft? Brass punch, sledge hammer with neighbor on a 4' pry bar, oh and tiger torch with no success?!?!? $60 gear pulley and 5min with no help.

Good suggestion - also probably a decent slide hammer set.

 

[mapper]

I would think toilet paper might be even more important for those less fastidious

There always that bit of shirtail or a pocket that can be cut loose in a pinch:laughing:

 

[mapper]

Me neither, and I drive a John Deere.

Also after 20 years of tractor ownership I've never found a need for all that shop stuff either, like welder, plasma cutter, and double sets of wrenches. That's all fine if you want to justify more toys, but don't scare off potential tractor owners by telling them they have to buy lots of expensive stuff they don't need.

I have a neighbor who is a retired millwrite and industrial mechanic who really enjoys small welding projects. He is very good at it, way better than I could ever be. So my need and desire for welding equipment is way down the list of stuff I need and don't have.

 

[flingwing1969]

I have a neighbor who is a retired millwrite and industrial mechanic who really enjoys small welding projects. He is very good at it, way better than I could ever be. So my need and desire for welding equipment is way down the list of stuff I need and don't have.

I agree with you on this point, sort of. When one doesn't weld and doesn't know the fundamentals then one's welds always look like crap and don't hold anything together. Before I learned to weld, I was a "drill a hole and pop in a bolt" guy - always envious of other folk simply pulling out their welder and slapping a strong weld on to fix a broken whatever. I no longer have that problem and fabricating useful items and making lasting repairs for a few cents worth of wire and gas rather than reaching in my wallet for a wad of cash to replace the part or pay the welder is my daily pleasure.

That's why I put it down as "learn to weld and get a welder". Not for everyone, I understand but it is almost the next best thing to ***.

 

[TerryR]

Before I learned to weld, I was a "drill a hole and pop in a bolt" guy - always envious of other folk simply pulling out their welder and slapping a strong weld on to fix a broken whatever. I no longer have that problem and fabricating useful items and making lasting repairs for a few cents worth of wire and gas rather than reaching in my wallet for a wad of cash to replace the part or pay the welder is my daily pleasure.

If you enjoy it, great. Anything you enjoy is worthwhile.

But many tractor owners have no need for that kind of equipment. I recall two times in the past ten years I needed welding done. The first time my neighbor did it for free. The second time I took it to a local shop and it cost me $8. How would buying a welder and learning again how to use it (I did weld on our farm shop 55 years ago) have been better? It's the suggestion that every tractor owner needs it that I'm objecting to.

 

[flingwing1969]

If you enjoy it, great. Anything you enjoy is worthwhile.

But many tractor owners have no need for that kind of equipment. I recall two times in the past ten years I needed welding done. The first time my neighbor did it for free. The second time I took it to a local shop and it cost me $8. How would buying a welder and learning again how to use it (I did weld on our farm shop 55 years ago) have been better? It's the suggestion that every tractor owner needs it that I'm objecting to.

True all around. It is really a shop nice-to-have, depending on your needs and skill-level.