I would say a good cordless tool system. Not only a cordless impact, but what I also love is a cordless blower to blow off dust and debris, cordless grease gun, etc... I have the Milwaukee M18 and M12 stuff and it absolutely works great, and I use the leaf blower and cordless impact the most! The power of the 1/2” impact is insane. And the M18 cordless shop vac is dang handy too for cleaning out tractor cabs and quick once over before date night in the pickup.
I got to say - I use the Milwaukee too - never thought I would buy a cordless chainsaw but so glad I did. The other tool is the 18v power inverter to run laptop and charge phone etc - that is my most used Milwaukee tool I own.
If you don’t have an impact driver you may be missing the boat. A drill driver vs an impact driver is like a non loader tractor vs a loader tractor. The batteries give you a portability that is awesome. Most days rather use a screw rather than a nail. Once you get into a battery platform the work possibilities are almost endless! A great list and as always a very good video. Phil
Liking 10 tools needed👍hand brush for cabin/flat deck, electric blower for brush hog mower/field bins. First aid kit, hand wash/water container n work gloves these have come handy especially in summer. But one thing I would recommend is doing tractor course or other related farm courses to help be safer, efficient n skill operator.
I realize that you covered it in the first video, but my dewalt grease gun with a locking lube adapter, a three foot pry bar, a 14ft chain, and a large adjustable wrench are my top tools. A good funnel is something you don’t think about until you need it
"Temperature gun" :) "Infrared thermometer". Heat guns are for peeling paint and stuff ;) I have on of the IR temperature guns, and they're kind of fun and genuinely helpful for a lot of things where you would like to know the temperature but can't just stick a thermometer on it.
My new (1st) tractor is being delivered tomorrow! Subscribed to your channel and got my "Mike's 10 tools list x2"... heading to Tractor Supply tonight!
About battery tools: an employer of mine was going to replace worn out batteries to a cordless drill a couple of years ago. When he checked the price he found out that for two new batteries he had to pay SEK 900 (~USD 90) and that store also had a set with a new drill including charger and two batteries, for SEK 970 (~USD 97). So for just seven dollars more he could not only have the batteries he was looking for, but also a new charger and a new cordless drill.
Nice list! I can't recommend going with a battery impact enough. My 18v 1/2" impact is one of my most used tools. The batteries have come such a long way that they last a long time and make working on equipment so convenient.
So, first of all, long time watcher of your videos and they are so much help. I would like to suggest a few things about your list. On the meter,Fluke is the way to go, but go with a FLuke T6-600. How many times do you go to test something and you have to find a place to lay the meter where you can see it. With the T6, stick the probe in front of meter and use one hand to hold onto what you are testing. No need to lay anywhere. I have three or 4 of each kind of meter. Mostly go to the one I can hold in my hand while testing. Lastly, the battery impact…..batteries are expensive and will go bad if you don’t use tool at least a couple times a year and fully discharge. Then at the 3-5 year mark, it’s going to go bad. On the electric, the cords get dry rotted and go bad where you have to replace them. Just buy a pneumatic and be done with it. The loader arms hold ups, boy, I could of just used them 3 days ago. I definitely will be buying a set.
Mike, don't wrap those meter probes around the case like that :) Eventually they'll break at the connector where they plug into the meter. Snap them in to the probe clips on the back and then (ideally) let the leads just hang. Or, you could >loosely< wrap them around the meter. You definitely bought one of the better meter brands out there. You can get some usable Chinesium garbage at Harbor Freight, eBay, or Amazon, but spending the extra money on a low-end Fluke or other quality brand is a much better investment than the $7 meter from the aforementioned vendors.
Nice lists, they never actually end. The hearing protection from list one is a must. One never realizes how loud a tractor, or even a mower truly is. Mitigating the noise means mitigating the damage. Same for eye protection. You only get one pair, eyes/ears, and won't know what you had until it's gone. Great channel.
I would suggest a battery charger/booster - gotta have one in the shop. Mike, I feel an awful lot better about my collection of tools and all those I have missing yet to add knowing you've only just recently acquired a multimeter, and don't even own an impact driver! You're a real cool guy Mike, I thank you again for your great content
I see a lot of WD-40 on your shelf. I know it is about 1/2 the cost of JB-80, but there is a reason for that. I used a lot of both and in my opinion JB-80 is at least twice as good if not 3 times. WD-40 dries some plastics and make them brittle. it's more of a penetration formula than lubrication. You can start a flooded engine with JB-80 and dry electrical parts such as engine points and distributor cap. Just something to think about.
One tool I carry on my tractor is a pair of wire cutters. If you’re out shredding and get fence wire caught under cutter, you can cut wire out and not have to go all the way back home/shop/barn.
I saw a cool video where a hug built a rear ballast box with a Jobox filled with concrete about 5/8’s full and the remaining space was full of tools . Weighed about 900#. Need a chain , adjustable spud wrench , grease gun, flashlight, multi tool , spare fuses, small hand held battery jump box and an assortment of sockets and wrenches and a multi bit screwdriver. I like to carry a dewalt 60v 16” electric chainsaw……that thing really comes in handy and can saw through some tough stuff. Yes…..nothing worse than ground hornets lighting you up when your brush hogging . May want to keep some sting ease. I keep a full IFAK kit with two tourniquets, and Israeli bandage, some various bandaids, tape, gauze and some Hemostatic packing gauze. My first aid kit is mounted on my rops and I also keep a fire extinguisher mounted on my rops. Can’t be too safe and it only takes three minutes to fully exsanguinate. If nobody is around you’re screwed if you cut an artery somehow on a limb. I also keep a kit with me while hunting.
Another "tool" I would suggest is a small converter to carry in your tractor's tool box (larger one of course). If you are out working on a fence and want to use corded (or cordless) tools, you have a power source to plug in and work off of the battery (or charge your battery tools). A helpful tool to keep around and don't need a large unit.
Another great video. Thanks Mike. Love Fluke meters. We use these in engineering. One thing better than the temp gun is an infrared camera. It's easier to find all the hot spots. It also works to find cold leaks in your house and to find animals in the dark. Very handy. Cheers!
Hey Tractor Mike! Great info! Though I would share my experience with a plug-in impact. I bought a Milwaukee a few years ago and haven’t looked back. It has plenty of power and has never failed me. It was highly rated at the time I purchased it. I also bought a good set of impact sockets and have added various sizes over time. I didn’t want to deal with battery maintenance and the plug-ins are less expensive. I really enjoy your channel. Please keep ups the great videos!
One of the first things I had to upgrade with my tools after getting a compact utility tractor was my arsenal of metric sockets and wrenches. All I had was a basic set of metric stuff of smaller sizes as I never really had a use for anything bigger. When I went to do my 50 hr service I had to make a trip to town first. Made me miss my old "66" Ford 4000.
Thanks Mike. Don’t know if these are important but I have also had problems with PTO hookups and found that having a small wire brush and a small metal file has helped me to clean and remove burrs on the male and female sides of the spline. This and a little lubricant has helped reduce the fight in the battle to hook up the PTO, my enemy (hahaha).
Good video but that’s not a heat gun, it’s an infrared thermometer. A heat gun is a high-temp hair dryer used for heat shrink and removing paint. infrared thermometer’s are great tools too.
I have been looking for an AC adapter, that will run the battery powered tools. Then you could use the tool with electricity, when available, or battery when in the field.
I love my Dewalt XR impact wrench. Yes it’s battery operated, but I can take it with me on trips to for my trailers for my tractor for my vehicle. Of course the impact resistant deep sockets to fit all it has saved me many times on camping trips.
Thanks, for Another greatly Helpful Video… One item I’d Highly recommend, is some super High Quality tire sealant, like TireJect - I keep the recommended amount in my tractor/front loader tires, at all times - And, I keep enough for both rear tires in the trailer tool box (sometimes fill back tires with water, for weight/traction) - When the shop is a two hour drive, one way, having sealant to prevent flats - or to seal up flats until you have time to fix them, is a lifesaver… I try to have EVERYTHING I need to take of non-major problems with me - on the tractor, or on the trailer, or on the truck - Can’t afford to needlessly shut a job down, to go get tools, parts or supplies…Still rigging out my tractor/trailer/equipment with the necessary tools and supplies - Work commercially, doing Shredding - Mowing - Road repair and Maintenance - Along with Land Clearing… And, keep finding more stuff I “need” - in part, to make tractor work, even more enjoyable…
Another great video Mike 👍 Most used tool around a tractor that I know of is a grease gun🚜 Day in and day out. I would pair it with a Lube lock grease coupler attachment. I seen one on your pegboard that you did not mention 🤔 Keep up the great videos👍👍
#8 I really agree with ..impact tool I am 65 with a bad heart and keep a Bauer 1/2 " battery powered in my jeep unlimited for changing flat tires..I also have a 3/8" same brand for home use..
Good choice with your voltmeter...I use a fluke 87 in my shop and a Klein MM2000 when I'm out doing service calls...It's important not to cheap out on a multimeter,as the cheap ones will give you false readings...you want one with "True RMS" ...and having a meter with LowZ is good to have too,for load testing...sometimes you may come across a circuit that'll show voltage when not under a load,that'll give the impression that the circuit is good...My Klein has that feature and saves a lot of headaches and won't have to worry about damaging an ECU/ECM....also,doesn't hurt to have a 6 and 9 pin scanner that can read 1708 or 1939 protocols...I have a full bi-directional HD scanner,so I can do forced regens and other active tests,but im a tech,so not all machine owners will need something on that level,but with everything being computerized these days,having some kind of a code reader/scanner is a must have tool at some point
Use a level on flat ground. LOL. I can't get my tractor on the house deck, it is the only place outside the house that is level. In fact the floors in half the house aren't level! I kind of guess based on visual comparison right to left on the fenders. I recommend your Tractor Caddy. I have to take it off to mount the backhoe but that isn't my primary rear implement. VERY handy having a "carryall" behind the seat.
You can stop losing lynch pins and other small three point items with a half dozen or so rare earth magnets. I use 1 inch square (1/8 inch thick) magnets. I have a few on the rear fenders and on the quick hitch. They hold about 6 pounds each and will keep all those pins from escaping while you're trading implements. Another handy item is a magnetic bowl, it will keep small items from dirt diving while you work on the tractor.
I have had my Fluke 88 long enough to have repaired it. I would buy Fluke again. I bought a heat gun when Covid started. It goes with my Milwaukee M12 battery tools. I have had air and battery impacts for many years now. I've been thinking about a 3/4" torque wrench. My 223 ft-lb loader bolts seem to be more difficult as I age. Longer handle seems like a good thing.
30 years+ as an Electrical Engineer. Fluke is the flagship brand but at a price. Don't use them to try to read the voltage of an electric fence, some times it works, some times it will end up in a new Fluke meter.
When you were talking about finding the squeak I thought you were going to say you need a stethoscope. I have a very cheap one and sometimes it is indispensable finding that strange noise source.
1. I think the most important is item the factory service manual. Make it a condition of sale after you settle the price! Try to get both digital and paper version. 2. As far as the 18 Volt cordless impact - it is a must have for any farm! The trick with the batteries is to invest in the very best rapid charger - you need fewer batteries if you can charge faster. 2 batteries will go a long way with a super fast charger. 3. Most powerful 18v flood light you can afford. It means you can service in good light or put everything away after sunset. Adds extra work time to your day. Mine has the option of power cord. If nothing else it makes finding the barn and tractor in the dark easier. 4. Subscription to Mike’s Channel!
Assembling those Fluke multimeters was my first job. I was able to get a few things from them in scrap or whole sales including my multimeter. I actually recently used mine to make a wire harness for some lights I put on my tractor. Use it to check continuity, verify power came out where it should and there was no shorts. Very handy tool.
Just a couple of thoughts- Yes, get a inexpensive 1/2 electric impact (at a minimum) Sure beats trying to find a cheater bar at times.. Absolutely understand where you are coming from on battery's. Best solution, I'd recommend is to make sure you get your cordless tools all from the same line. My understanding is Milwaukee and DeWalt are probably your best bet. Personally I use the Bauer line from Harbor Freight - not quite as HD as the other, but good enough for my normal usage. Get 2-3 chargers and always keep a couple of batteries charged up just for those moments when you have to "grab and go" (aka something broke down out in the field, or more likely Momma has a flat out on Hwy 60...)
Liked this video very much Mike. Learned about several items that are new to me. One thing about battery powered tools. I believe your correct about them making more money on the battery that the tool. Could be wrong though. There are many advantages to them though. Corded power tools are good when you have power available, but you can't use them if your in a place with no good access to plug into. So batteries are the way to go in those situations. For instance my wife and I own a piece of property that we plan to build on and that is more or less the permanent home of our tractor. It is easier to do work on the tractor there than hauling it home in most cases or rather than starting the generator that we have there only for special occasions. You spend more on fuel running it than on batteries if I started it up every time I was working on the tractor. Battery powered tools also are much quicker than hand tools so a big advantage there if you want to use that as a reason for justifying and using them. In addition, to me personally I have found when having bought a good quality battery powered tool it is much easier that a corded tool to use. Over the years I found corded tools to be a real pain in dragging around the cords and making sure I have enough length to reach the place that the tool was needed to work on what ever project. So for me Batteries have been a real Boon. IMHO. Basically to each his own. I'll let you have my corded tools and you can replace mine with batteries. LOL
Great video! Irwin brand Vise Grips are a must! The 9 inch ones are popular. Go with a battery impact. You won't regret it! We use Dewalt 20 volt tools. Batteries last for many years. 🙂
You lose the lynch pins because they are made wrong today, it's almost impossible to find a good one. The locking loop should leave a half inch or so of pin extending beyond it, almost all new ones have the loop reaching the bottom of the pin. This allows the pin to work itself up past the socket of the three point attachment and then bend itself out.
Regarding Impact wrenches. If you are going to go battery powered, think about Rigid, the batteries are warranted for life. Review the spec's to make sure they will do what you want them to do. If you go pneumatic, make sure you get a double blow impact wrench. I'm sure there are all kinds of electric plug in impact wrenches. I haven't found one, 1/2" drive, that quite measures up. Remember to get the Impact sockets to match. You were referring to an optical thermometer or non contact thermometer to measure the surface temp of your bearings. Also great for measuring the temp of the oil in the turkey fryer. Great video's
The Rigid battery warranty is awesome, but sadly their tool selection isn’t half of what other cordless tool makers have now and they’re not sold in near as many stores. They’re quickly getting left in the dust. And I’ve used them and they work great, even if they aren’t a top performer in said cordless tool category. That said in 10+ years of messing with Milwaukee M18 tools I’ve had one battery go bad. And I’ve got a bunch of em along with a lot of the tools and outdoor equipment. None of it has failed me and I would say I use it more than the average homeowner, but less than a trade professional but I still use them at work too (farm/ ranch)
Another great list, l already had all of the first 10 and somehow I have all of these too. I need to replace my old pneumatic impact and have decided on a battery powered one that uses the same battery as some of my other tools, that always gives me an extra battery for both tools.
RADIATOR GENIE: check yours, mine has the air quick connect that I can remove and screw in a H2O hose, so at least my model can do both. Thumbs up on the video as always. I would add a battery powered electric grease gun to the list, its my favorite tractor tool 👍
Something that would be useful is a dedicated cover for the end of the PTO shafts on all my implements. I currently use old plastic grocery bags, loosely tied, with plenty drainage and air flow from the bottom. It bothers me a lot when rain and bugs get up in the knuckle. If they have been sitting for a long while, it is a pain to clean, and I can only hope that the new grease pushes everything else out. And no, as much as I would like to have them all under a decent roof, that’s not going to happen any time soon.
I remember when I first got my Fluke digital MM a while back. With its pouch, I would have it hanging out my belt on the job site and looked for any excuse to use it.
Great recommendations! They have lock pins and very reasonable plug in impact driver at harbor freight. I know they aren’t great quality for for occasional use, great for the price
Don't hesitate to get a Milwaukee battery impact gun. They are a very good product. And you can fix a battery that will not hold a charge by connecting a jump box to the spade connector on the battery pack negative side first, then just tap the positive side and it will fix the battery.
Mike....I think you need more WD40! Thank you for your vids, new tractor owner & you've taught e so much without making me feel foolish. Please keep 'em coming!
If you need that much pry bar to hook up things to your 3pt something is wrong. Better off getting a quick hitch for your 3pt and not fighting with it at all.
You need a design change on the one that blows compressed air into the radiator sir the metal might damage your radiator they needs a plastic tip on it or a rubber tip
Great tools to have in the shop for sure. With limited storage space to carry tools on a tractor, what you recommend keeping on your tractor at all times. I know that the basics are always a good idea like a good pair of plyers, maybe vice grips and electrical tape, etc. but, since you have a heck of a lot of hours in the seat and experience in general, I would really like to hear what else you recommend that might help "southern engineer" (lol) something to help get you back to the shop or something that you always find yourself using when changing implements or fixing common problems out in the field?
Personally as a cattle and hay farmer we keep zip ties, electrical tape, vise grips, adjustable wrench, lineman’s pliers, maybe a piece of wire, 18mm socket and ratchet for hay mower knives that we also carry, and maybe a few cloth shop rags, and chain link splices. And if you can’t fix it with those, you’ve got a serious problem you’d better head back to the shop for I’ve used all of those tools at one point or another. Mostly changing hay mower blades and making windrow adjustments to the hay rake.
I have a radiator genie water. Great tool, fluke 87 DVM, wish I had a heat gun, I would like a stop for my BX loader. I want an impact + impact sockets, roll pin punches would be a nice to have for sure. Great video Mike. Whereabouts in MO are you? One day on my way from Peoria to Kansas I like to meet ya. Take Care, Jason
Mike we have a John Deere compact 43 horse tractor. We keep having trouble with the hydraulic system. It has a valve on right side that has four little pins and springs. For some reason it sticks from time to time. The problem is hydraulic, not electrical. Do you have any clue what is causing this problem, also sometimes it doesn’t seem like it is running full speed. You can shut it off and start it again and it returns to full speed.
To keep moisture and rust away from the terminals. I usually keep the terminals coated with grease to keep that from happening so it may not matter, but it doesn't take but a second to cover it.
No, I've not had any experience with that product or corresponded with anyone who has. Maybe someone who has one will see this comment and respond. Sorry I'm no help!
