Keeping a few simple tools in your toolbox at all times while on the job can reduce downtime and keep work running smoothly.
1. Channel Locks
Go with a pair of channel locks over a pair of pliers any day of the week. Their jaws can be adjusted for smaller or larger objects, or to allow additional leverage in the grips. Channel locks are superb for 3-point linkage adjustment, and pulling pins.
2. Combination Flat Head & Phillips Screwdriver
A combination or multi-tip screwdriver is a no-brainer. There is always a screw or bolt that needs adjustment or tightening.
3. Adjustable Crescent Wrench
Choose a size with an adjustment range most appropriate for the bolts, nuts, and other fasteners common in your equipment. Some may prefer an actual set of ratcheting wrenches in common sizes. Choose what works best for you.
4. Vice Grips
Vice grips are pliers with a jaw size adjustment and locking capability. They should be in everyone’s essential toolkit.
5. Needle Nose Pliers
Perhaps you need to grip small or hard to reach objects in tight spaces. This tool will go where your standard pliers, vice grips, or channel locks can’t go.
6. Side Cutters
Side cutters are particularly useful for cutting wire, zip ties, or vegetation and debris that gets entangled around your mower blades.
7. Utility Knife
A good utility knife with extra blades stored in its handle is always useful for numerous tasks. Don’t just rely on side cutters, as there are many things side cutters do not cut well that utility knives do.
8. Hammer/Mallet
Sometimes you need a little extra help moving, assembling, or disassembling. A hammer or mallet provides 1001 possible uses. If it helps you out, add it to your kit.
9. Socket Set
A good socket set with a ratchet wrench allows you to quickly loosen or tighten fastening hardware. Can you do it with a crescent wrench? Sure, but sockets are MUCH faster.
10. Duct Tape
Hard to put into words how useful a good roll of duct tape can be; literally thousands of uses, temporary repairs, keeping things from moving when they shouldn’t, etc. Keeping a small roll of #9 or bailing wire is extremely useful.
The majority of the items listed above can easily fit into the toolbox that comes standard on your tractor or skid loader. Don’t have a toolbox? Use a roll-up tool bag with ties. They’re cheap, portable, and work like a charm.
The important thing to remember is to build your essential toolkit to fit your environment. For example, if you find you have more need for a socket set then an adjustable crescent wrench, then adjust your kit accordingly.
No toolkit will perfectly fit every application - you need to tailor it to your specific needs. Begin with the list above and you will be off to a good start.
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