Spending ANOTHER weekend doing nothing but farm chores while my '83 sits neglected and demanding new wheel bearings I was thinking about the tools required around the farm. And as I am going through a lunch hour I figured "What the" and started typing:
A second (or more if you are REALLY lucky) person, preferably one of weak mind and strong back! My Wife fills this, though she has stronger mind she can and does lift 100 pounds by herself. Together we can move alot and get much done!
Tractor - Size depends upon the number of acres and the chores at hand. If you are leasing your land out to others, you might NOT need a tractor. Heck, if just mowing a nice riding mower might be cheaper and quicker to operate and purchase. Most can even pull small trailers with a bit of gear in them out to the work area.
Get with a good dealer and talk around to other farmers. If you have five acres you really do NOT need a 100 HP tractor! If you have 100 acres an 18 HP tractor might be a bit TOO smally
Tractor Implements -
Front End Loader! I have had it both ways and let me state, the FEL is the most versitile of attachments! We would hate to be without! Bucket and forks (forks can lift and move round bales) If you have a universal mount, large enough tractor, and the hydraulics then a grapple and a front mounted auger would be in my cards! Do NOT forget a rear weight! People load the tires but a rear counterweight is VERY handy!
Auger - If you are putting in holes, the auger is your friend. Can make life easier (unless you are always replacing the shear pins like I seem to)
Rear (3pt) scoop - You never know when it is handy to have the ability to move just that much more per trip
Rear fork - good counterweight to the front fork and can double your production!
Rear carryall - put posts and all sorts of stuff back there! Makes life easier!
Mower - this will depend variously on your tractor size! You do NOT need a 15 foot bat wing for five acres and an 18 hp tractor, but if you have 200 acres and a 100 hp beast maybe it will be worthwile? I have a five foot on a 60 HP tractor and 57 acres.
Shovels, really, they break and you need more than one anyway!
Manual post hole diggers - We have several but I'd suggest a light one that collects loose dirt well and a heavy duty one for driving down at a minimum.
Breaker bar - You will hit clay, rocks, etc. The bar (heavy metal bar) will help break up stuff. I have two, one for rocks one for cutting clay and squaring up a hole.
Fence tools - fancy pliers that cut, form, pull, small hammer. We have a Klein set that is WONDERFUL! However, we also have four cheap ones ($5.00 each) that come and get replaced as well. They last a year or two then go on the scrap metal pile for resale.
Hammers - Have an assortment from light to heavy duty. Get a good brass one and a dead blow as well. You will need them.
Rakes - Strong to break up dirt clods or help break up manure.
Heavy duty forks - like a shovel but these will go through your compost pile easier!
Paslode brand tools, cordless operated by propane canisters - Seriously, you will need something like this. Putting up wire/mesh? They make a cordless stapler that will make your life easier! Repairing barn, building? Cordless framing nailer. Check out their line, well worth the cost! Good return on investment!
Portable/cordless drill - you will need something to put in holes or screws or to remove them.
Breaker bars - Necessary! Stuff gets stuck, barns have to be fixed, etc. Have some small, med, large.
Hay equipment - This can be a large list depending upon your actions and what you are cutting or how you put up:
Bailer
Cutter - tooooo many options
Rake - again tooo many options
I like the accumulator and grapple and will hopefully be investing in them. Turns the job into a two person pick up versus three, four, or more.
Hay elevator to run the hay bales higher up with less work.
1/2 and 3/4 inch socket sets in SAE and Metric. Good quality.
Screw driver sets! You will want several!
SAE and Metric allen keys!
Chainsaw - I have a cheap one that has worked well for YEARS!!!! Clean and repair every year. I also have an old Echo that is great! The Echo goes and goes but the chain is getting older and needs replacing. Between the two I seem to alsways have one ready to go.
Small hand saw for cutting, I have a recurved with wicked off-set teeth!
Hand trimmers, the kind to cut limbs up to 2" in diameter.
Tree saw, telescoping. You will need one.
Chains, two or more so you have at least 40 feet of chain.
Tow straps, you will need them.
Heavy duty tie down straps.
Good, heavy duty flat bet. I like the lowboy style better. Ours is 24' and has two 7500 pound axles and is a gooseneck. I like towing goosenecks as compared to bumper pulls.
Pipe wrenches! adjustable wrenches! open and boxend wrenches!
Most of the above can be bought used at auctions for 10% of the price of new. Save yourself alot money! Be careful buying used and make sure you know what a good one runs/looks like! Be prepared to make mistakes! Check several auctions, some are more honest than others...
I have bought shovels for $2.00 and groups of 10 hammers for a buck. You just never know how things will come out! Heck, I even bought a nice chute for a hay baler for $1.00.