What tool do you find most useful on the farm for general use (besides tractor)?

[jix]

A good human helper .

A big AMEN to that, sailorman.:thumbsup:

 

[/pine]

A good human helper .

Hey, if flesh and bone are considered "tools"...I'd go with no less than three clones...(at least we should all be thinking alike...and have the same agenda...!)

 

[forgeblast]

A 5' digging bar. I have used it as a dibble for planting trees, used it on every fence post I have placed, and on occasion have used it as a hammer.
Its a multi tool but a heavy one. After that cordless drill.

 

[DrRod]

ATVs - they make everything else possible or at least easier.

Bib overalls - aside from the freedom of movement and the protection they offer, they function as an organic toolbox for all projects.

Computer - after an 8-year wait for internet service, it has allowed me to stay at the farm longer and provided a window to all the info I need at a moments notice.

Triangle Scraper - [https://www.stortz.com/product/triangle-paint-scraper-2-12-inch-356-d/] I think I got it from Gempler's but don't see it there now. Its a basic handle with a sharp, metal 3-inch triangle mounted perpendicularly. It scrapes, cuts, pries, and does all those little things that can't be defined. Like, when long grass gets wrapped around the spindle of my DR mower, it cuts through and pulls it off in a jiffy.

Workmate - I have an old one that the mice and squirrels have chewed but it still works great and really helps hold material large and small at working level.

Foot-long tweezers - I got a pair of these from American Science and Surplus [full of neat useful stuff]. One is straight, the other has an angled tip. I use these everyday in retrieving small parts from battery trays, under the fridge, etc.

Last month I dumped all my tool boxes out on the picnic table and did a grand sort. One box for carpentry, one for mechanical, one for fencing/spraying/horticulture. And I left out all parts and other materials and vowed to never toss the left over screws, wires, and other stray parts that make it hard to dig around for the right tool. This has made a huge different in my approach to any project. Instead of starting [i.e. avoiding] with a sigh as I search for the right stuff, I just go to the right box and cheerfully jump in knowing there won't be delays and frustration. The gain in productivity is only exceeded by the gain in my mental health.

 

[TnAndy]

Toss up between:

1. Electric golf cart with a truck bed in the back. Gets used EVERY day, feed critters, gather eggs, work in the garden/greenhouses, go get the mail/paper (1500' driveway) I have to keep the Yamaha ATV in the basement on a trickle charger now it gets so little use. (Comes out when it snows....golf carts don't do well in snow).

2. Woodmizer sawmill. Built dozens of sheds, barns, etc around the place, cabinets, furniture, + 3 rental houses. When your lumber costs 5 cents/bdft, you FIND things to do !

Shed currently building to house my fuel tanks:

 

[KiotiKowboy]

Not a tool - but I won't work on the farm without it ... Permethrin. I soak all my clothing in this, a .5% (that's 1/2 of 1 percent) solution. 6 3/4 ounces of 10% permethrin mixes with 1 gallon of water. Treatment lasts about 6 washings. Buying in gallon jugs makes this cost very little. If you've ever contracted Lyme, Ehrlichia or some other tick borne problem, you'll understand.

 

[scaredychicken]

large square blade shovel (doubles as a walking stick or cane)

then JD 160 lawn tractor
then Husqvarna brushcutter (with blade)
then ATV
then yard trailer

(survey says that's my top 5)

 

[scaredychicken]

Not a tool - but I won't work on the farm without it ... Permethrin. I soak all my clothing in this, a .5% (that's 1/2 of 1 percent) solution. 6 3/4 ounces of 10% permethrin mixes with 1 gallon of water. Treatment lasts about 6 washings. Buying in gallon jugs makes this cost very little. If you've ever contracted Lyme, Ehrlichia or some other tick borne problem, you'll understand.

I hope that you also have a second hand washer/dryer for the yard clothes... don't think I'd be using the good set

 

[scaredychicken]

My vote is this:

Cotter pin puller.
View attachment 428562

I've used it on more stuff than I can count.
Always end up grabbing it when I need to get creative.

WOW !!! I have 2-3 of them in the garage, didn't know what they were - but knew enough not to dispose of them. Thanks for saving my fingers.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Not a tool - but I won't work on the farm without it ... Permethrin. I soak all my clothing in this, a .5% (that's 1/2 of 1 percent) solution. 6 3/4 ounces of 10% permethrin mixes with 1 gallon of water. Treatment lasts about 6 washings. Buying in gallon jugs makes this cost very little. If you've ever contracted Lyme, Ehrlichia or some other tick borne problem, you'll understand.

My wife has chronic Lyme disease from a tick bite 6 yrs ago. You'll have to explain the reason, either of us understand.