What tools could you not live without?

[tinsnip]

I'm curious about what others consider their most frequently used tools for tractor maintenance and repair. I'm not talking about complete overhaul or major repair, but the stuff that makes your sceduled maintenance simpler and easier/safer.

Opinions welcome. Including things you find yourself using more than anything else or stuff you've tried that sucked. Unless it's against forum rules, brand names are ok with me.

Thanks!

 

[Highbeam]

A good socket set is pretty much 90% of what you need for tractor maintenance and repair.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Handiest item for me when working on just about anything is a pair of 6" channel locks. I've got about 6 pair of them and I always have a pair in my pocket when working on stuff.

 

[BobReeves]

Air Compressor

 

[hockeyhead]

grease gun, number 1 tool for tractor and implement maintenance,

 

[3RRL]

Aside from the grease gun and a pile of shop towels to wipe yourself and tools off, I'm constantly using my socket sets and open end wrenches to adjust or tighten things. Also use a large pair of Channel locks and a real big Crescent wrench. But you just can't have enough shop towels around...

 

[frank_f15]

NOT to be funny but the best tool is a TOOL BOX full of all kinds of tools, never know what you will need! sometimes , sockets, sometimes open end wrenches who know what will be handiest at any particular time /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Fredex]

Start with a large tool box, grease gun & cartridges, shop towels/wipes. Start equiping the tool box with the basics already mentioned here by others. I would include a variety of screw drivers and a filter wrench as basics. Then count on adding as the need arises - hence the large toolbox. Be aware that for the socket set (or sets) you may need both metric and inch sizes of sockets.

 

[Fredex]

BTW Tinsnip, the tool you can't live without, IMHO, is the one you need today, whether or not you have it. Just a bit of, all too true, wise crack humor.

 

[slowrev]

All of em. I just like tools /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ben

 

[GaryE]

Air compressor
Pneumatic grease gun
Impact wrench
Pneumatic ratchet


Gary

 

[browns40]

Hi tinsnip,

1. Adjustable wrench
2. Ratchet set
3. channel locks
4. hammer
5. grease gun

No, I take it all back... I cannot live without every tool I've ever purchased--at least, that's what I was thinking at the time...! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Farwell]

Two each of every tool known to man. Grease gun, large crescent, set of end wrenches, large box end wrenches, and complete socket set 2 inch on down, with a few metric thrown in for good measure.
Farwell

 

[gotrocks]

Hello, my name is gotrocks, and I'm a "tool-a-holick." /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Deerlope]

All the ones that I presently own. I need them all, that is why I have them.

 

[tinsnip]

Thanks for the honest replies. And a note of encouragement to those of you suffering (or enjoying the heck out of) toolaholism. I for one am taking the vow to quit. Just as soon as I get a grease gun and some shop towels.

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I went off the deep end and bought a Snap-On box and filled it with their tools some years back. Their stuff is all that and a bag of chips! It's just OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE.

I like their ratchets and sockets, but my favorite is their combination wrenches. They always seem to fit better, work at angles that other brands don't like, and they look so daggone nice!

But. Being "old school", my most frequently used tool is a 4lb rubber tipped dead blow hammer. (also Snap-On)

If you can't fix it, get a bigger hammer!

 

[GeneD14]

I have tons of tools but for tractor maintenance and I have convinced my wife that I need allof them! But the most used are:

1. Adjustable wrench
2. Socket set
3. Combination wrenches
4. hammer
5. grease gun
6. screw driver set

 

[Gatorboy]

Hammer and a Bigger Hammer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RobJ]

hammer
cresent wrench
vice-grips
baling wire

4 things that don't take up much space but can really get you our of a jam.