New tractor...what MUST have tools for maintenance?

[Farmwithjunk]

A few years ago I had my 3,800 lb Allis D14 sitting up on 4 Sears jack stands rated at 4,000 lbs each. I thought the safety factor was more than enough...wrong.

As I was working on the tractor with the 4 wheels off: one of the rear tires which weigh about 200lbs gently tipped over and hit the side of the tractor. That small side impact was enough to make all 4 jack stands crumple and the entire tractor slammed down on the floor! It scared the @*%&%$#) out of me!

Now even when I'm under a 3,000 lb car I use a set of heavy duty jack stands (rated for 5 tons) or I use solid blocking.

I saw a demostration (done at a local Police Dept) once where a former auto thief took 4 of the old (10 oz. I THINK) Coke bottles and placed them under the suspension of a car. He then removed all the lug nuts. Next, he let the air out of the tires. The cars weight was supported by the Coke bottles. That allowed him to remove all 4 wheels and tires. Then he gave a shove to a rear quarter panel. That shifted the cars weight ever so slightly, crushing all 4 Coke bottle. Down went the car. He said he'd stolen HUNDREDS of tires and wheels that way.

The old car hit the ground with quite an impact. It doesn't take a lot to hold up dead stationary weight, but add a little movement and BANG.

I keep several 6"X6"X12" wood blocks in the shop. Jack stands may fail, but those blocks won't if they're placed correctly.

 

[normde2001]

whisk broom

That was the first tool that went into my tractor's tool box, after I had to walk back to the barn to get one to clean off the radiator/screen when mowing.

 

[JimR]

I saw a demostration (done at a local Police Dept) once where a former auto thief took 4 of the old (10 oz. I THINK) Coke bottles and placed them under the suspension of a car. He then removed all the lug nuts. Next, he let the air out of the tires. The cars weight was supported by the Coke bottles. That allowed him to remove all 4 wheels and tires. Then he gave a shove to a rear quarter panel. That shifted the cars weight ever so slightly, crushing all 4 Coke bottle. Down went the car. He said he'd stolen HUNDREDS of tires and wheels that way.

The old car hit the ground with quite an impact. It doesn't take a lot to hold up dead stationary weight, but add a little movement and BANG.

I keep several 6"X6"X12" wood blocks in the shop. Jack stands may fail, but those blocks won't if they're placed correctly.

I've seen this done with 4 red bricks to a co-workers truck once. Only difference, they left it up on the bricks.

 

[chinawall]

Lots of the right type of shear bolts and the proper tools for them handy.
Bogh lottsa stuff from Messicks. I also bought an impact tool.

 

[john_bud]

Just bought '06 JD 3720 with FEL, rotary cutter, etc, since it's my first new one, would like some assistance on what tools and equipment are a neccessity to have and own so as to keep it operating as it should. I'm going to order everything I think I might need at one time from Harbor Freight in the next couple of days. ANY help would be appreciated.

You need a pair of 12" wrenches to be able to adjust the top link of the 3pt.

a good grease gun with a flex line end
a good grease gun with a solid line end

a phone call to the dealer - have the shop take the blades of the cutter out and apply anti-seeze compound to the big azzz nut/bolt that holds on the blade.

4" or 4-1/2" angle grinder to sharpen the blade on the cutter.

3/4" socket, extension and breaker bar to allow you to get off that cutter nut when it's time to change the blades. Good ones as you need to give 5-600# of umph to get them loose. More if they are rusted on.

About every thing else is gravy and can be bought when needed. (then you can get a couple of extra's....)

 

[elkun1]

Jeez guys, come on. Not 1 mention of the most important things, stereo in garage, refridgerator, couch and maybe the most important a card table for when your help shows up when workin on a project. Startin to wonder about you guys Ron

 

[john_bud]

Those things go without saying ---- so we didn't say.


That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

jb

 

[Solo]

A good pistol pump oil can is good to have. For hard to reach places.

Gear wrenches are nice, and a Leatherman.

Solo

 

[Lasgambler]

I have to admit I did not read all the post. Sorry if this is a repeat. I realized that I would like to have a pressure washer. So I got one. I like to blast everything clean to perform maintenance.

 

[GinNB]

I have to admit I did not read all the post. Sorry if this is a repeat. I realized that I would like to have a pressure washer. So I got one. I like to blast everything clean to perform maintenance.

Change to "maintain performance" to justify...

My must-haves?

manuals
grease gun
collection of lynch pins, hair pins, and just plain pins
adjustable wrenches of various sizes (a wide-head 8" lives in my front pants pocket)
pipe wrenches, Vice Grips (not no-name)
complete set of combination wrenches
1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 inch socket sets (1/2 gets the most use)
screwdrivers, allen keys
kits for o-rings, spring pins, gaskets, grease fittings
hammers (nailing, 4lb sledge, ballpeen, deadblow)
brass drifts of various sizes up to 1.25"
air compressor and accessories(tire inflation, cleaning, tools if you're in a hurry)
floor jack, bottle jack, scissors jack, jackstands
LARGE selection of bolts/nuts in the flavour your tractor/equipment uses
tool boxes, organizers, and wall racks to help keep things accessible and from getting lost

those're what come to mind- buy the other stuff as needed.