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

[freedomlives]

I guess I need to get better at welding. There are a lot of items on the "things I enjoy doing" between *** and welding. :-D

Suggestion with flashlights-- put a piece of masking tape on the battery terminal, or cut a circle of cardboard to fit in the flashlight and insulate the battery terminal. Putting one of two batteries of opposite polarity should more or less work, but if there are more than two batteries current will flow, likely resulting the opposite facing battery leaking. Better anyway is just to get a flashlight that can't be easily knocked on.

I keep my Pelican 2690 headlamp in the car now. I used to use it all the time, but on NiMH cells it needed recharging every few days, and it is water resistant with a screw-on cover so it was a bit annoying with the batteries. Anyway, it is a mechanical switch that you have to turn the bezel of the headlamp to turn it on, so there is no risk of it accidentally getting turned on. And it comes with a lifetime warranty, as long as the damage isn't caused by "sharks, bears or children under 3". 269� Flashlights - Headlamp | LED HeadsUp Lite | Pelican Professional

For day to day use I recently got some rechargeable headlights with built in Li-ion batteries that charges with a microUSB charger like all the mobile phones now use. Much more convenient to keep charged.

 

[flingwing1969]

Good advice there. I use mostly two-battery flashlights in my "emergency" kit so never considered the three or more lights. Thanks.

A flashlight is not necessarily an "emergency" or even a nighttime item. For example, the engine oil dip stick hole on my G3038 is tucked in amongst other parts and you can't see the hole when you pull the stick out. Putting it back in should be a snap, but it isn't because there is a little space just half an inch forward of the tube that "feels" like you're in the tube with the stick when you are not. A flashlight ensures against all that oil splashing out of the open tube when you miss.

 

[Gem99ultra]

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 $$.

When I hear the term 'skid plate' mentioned I think they're talking about my drawers.

 

[sdquick]

When I hear the term 'skid plate' mentioned I think they're talking about my drawers.

I thought I was the only one immature enough to laugh that "skid plate" and toilet paper we listed in back to back comments!

 

[chim]

Good list. I love being able to make / fix things and because of that, I have some tools that don't make sense as far as economics. They make sense because I'm happy to have and use them.

Many of us can't have too many knives or flashlights. The flashlight I MUST always have with me is either a Streamlight Microstream (one AAA) or a Coast HX5 (one AA). One of them always goes into my pocket when I get dressed. Both have 2-way pocket clips. I never use a clip to carry them, but frequently clip then onto a hat brim to use as a headlight. They are both LED's and perform like much larger lights. The Streamlight is a simple on/off handy light to have. The Coast is brighter and has an adjustable beam, but is a bit larger.

 

[RSKY]

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

One Wipe Charlies from the Dollar Shave Club. They keep in your tool box for years.

RSKY

 

[RSKY]

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

Then you don't do much with your tractor.

I have been driving and working on tractors for more than fifty years and I am not 64 yet. Anything mechanical can and will break down at the worst possible time. It is prudent to have a tool kit to work on it. I also carry a spare fan belt, last one broke by a branch. A spare fuel line, last one pulled off and ripped by a limb. I keep spare pins and WD40 and everything else I can think of on my tractors.

But sometimes I am miles away from the nearest house and on the backside of an eighty acre farm. If I have a minor problem it means a mile walk before I even get cellphone service.

RSKY

 

[TerryR]

Then you don't do much with your tractor.
RSKY

Exactly. That's the point. Most tractor owner's here don't. They don't work 80-acre farms, but do stuff on the few acres around their homes.

Large took kits and extensive shop setups are great for those who need them, or who just enjoy using them. But don't tell prospective tractor owners they are needed, as I understood to be the point of the OP's original post.

 

[flingwing1969]

Exactly. That's the point. Most tractor owner's here don't. They don't work 80-acre farms, but do stuff on the few acres around their homes.

Large took kits and extensive shop setups are great for those who need them, or who just enjoy using them. But don't tell prospective tractor owners they are needed, as I understood to be the point of the OP's original post.

Not really MUST HAVES, more like a list of items I carry and that you MIGHT consider carrying yourself. I have received a suggestion or two here that work for me too. I did not add fluids to the mix because they take up so much room, however, that has been what I needed most in the past few years when working hauling brush and getting my hood intakes and radiator pre-screen plugged and getting a boil over and being low-ish on coolant. I still don't carry extra with me simply because I don't know where to put it but I do keep a closer eye on my temp gauge.

 

[flingwing1969]

Ah, another good one. Thanks.

 

[flingwing1969]

I thought I was the only one immature enough to laugh that "skid plate" and toilet paper we listed in back to back comments!

Nope - mostly 8 year old boys and tractors go together very well.

 

[kneedeep]

Front and rear facing cameras

 

[BLSXJ]

on the shop list... a real "nice to have" is a good strong shop table.... sure you can work on your stuff on the floor... but a good shop table is worth every penny

 

[flingwing1969]

on the shop list... a real "nice to have" is a good strong shop table.... sure you can work on your stuff on the floor... but a good shop table is worth every penny

and welding a table(s) - I have three one portable, one a turntable unit, and one larger one with a large vice on it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Exactly. That's the point. Most tractor owner's here don't. They don't work 80-acre farms, but do stuff on the few acres around their homes.

Large took kits and extensive shop setups are great for those who need them, or who just enjoy using them. But don't tell prospective tractor owners they are needed, as I understood to be the point of the OP's original post.

You are rather obsessed with arguing that no tools are needed for tractor ownership.You are obviously someone who would rather pay someone for repair and maintenance than do it yourself. Don't let that get in the way of instructions for some of us that do their own work. I do agree that lots of those items listed are not "required" but are a convenience to have should you need them but only if you do your own repairs.
My welding machine and oxy-fuel torch have more than paid for themselves in cost alone not to mention the delays and other issues that trying to get an item to a repair shop. I cant imagine what kind of repair you would get done for only $8 at least not around my location. Most std. socket sets stop at 3/4" and most bolts on a tractor start above that size so having at least one set of 3/4-1.5" sockets is advisable. Harbor Freight tools are appropriate for this item since they wont be used much, but if your FEL bolts get loose, not having the right wrench to tighten them can cause much more damage than the cost of a HF set of large 3/4" drive tools.

 

[flingwing1969]

Front and rear facing cameras

Not for everyone probably, but certainly for me. I can't see the tip of my forks from my seat without standing up and I have a rear snowblower so they will be going on my machine when I get my FOPS/canopy finished.

 

[TerryR]

You are rather obsessed with arguing that no tools are needed for tractor ownership.

I never said no tools. Rather I argued that a "welder, plasma cutter, and double sets of wrenches" and "Large took kits and extensive shop setups" are fine if you want to use them, but never required. In fact I have a more or less full set of end wrenches, 1/4" and 1/2" drive sockets, various other hand tools and a compressor. I bought a 3/4" drive socket set a while back so I could remove the blades on my rotary cutter. So I'm not against tools that one finds useful for the kind of work one chooses to do.

You are obviously someone who would rather pay someone for repair and maintenance than do it yourself.

Actually, that's mostly true. I do minor repairs and maintenance but for anything significant I'd rather pay someone else to do it. Many folks here like doing that kind of stuff. I don't, I doubt I'm the only one in that camp. In the past 20 years it's not cost me nearly as much as the expensive tools on your list. Get them and enjoy using them if that's your thing. But recognize, as you just did, that they are required for everyone.

 

[rd_macgregor]

At the top of my shop list, before any of the other tools, would be a shop