Fretting over what to get that special tractor enthusiast in your life or in need of a last minute stocking stuffer? Tractor.com has ten practical suggestions sure to be a hit this holiday season.
Shop Apron
Mechanix is known for retailing really useful work items including gloves that are thick enough to protect hands yet thin enough to still allow flexibility and feel. Adding to that lineup is a Shop Apron made from ballistic nylon and double stitched for additional durability. Resistant to most solvents and machine washable, the Shop Apron features five pockets, two hammer hangers, and adjustable neck and waist straps with quick connectors that accommodate waist sizes from 28” to 44”. Cost: $25 or less.
Wax
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It’s no secret: apply a wax-based protectant to painted surfaces and better life along with resistance to water and ultraviolet light can be expected. A trip to any local automotive shop or even box store will confront the purchaser with a wide variety of high-quality products. Our favorite, though, is a product from John Deere. And yes, it can be used on any tractor regardless of color. John Deere Ultra Gloss Polishing Wax (TY16169) goes on easy, won’t streak or leave white spots on plastic or in crevices, and can be applied even in direct sunlight. Unlike traditional waxes, the longer the product stays on, the easier it is to remove. Cost: $15 or less.
Tool Kit
Craftsman tools have been around for a long time and sport one of the best warranties in the business: a lifetime replacement guarantee. With machines and implements today often having a mix of Metric and SAE sizes, selecting the right tool kit is as difficult as ever. But not with the Model 35830 126 pc. Mechanics Tool Set which includes 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” drive tools, Metric and SAE sockets in standard and deep depths, eight combination wrenches and screwdriver capabilities. To keep that many pieces organized, the kit includes a blow-molded plastic case that’s large enough for big fingers to access, yet small enough to store behind a tractor seat. Cost: $158 or less.
Diesel Fuel Funnel/Filter
For anyone who has experienced debris in their fuel tank and the resultant stalling, stopping and performance issues, filtering that fuel at the spout should be the first line of defense. Mr. Funnel makes a full line of filtering funnels that work from the smallest push mower to the largest tractor. Model 15 has the highest flow (up to 15 gallons per minute) and is ideal for use with portable containers all the way to fuel pump systems. With no replacement parts, every barn or filling station should have a Mr. Funnel product. Cost: $60 or less.
Diesel Fuel Treatment
Along with the abovementioned Funnel, diesel fuel can require attention to get the maximum performance from it. In cold climates with temperatures below 32F, the water present in all diesel fuels and collected in fuel filters can gel, creating all kinds of starting and performance issues. Power Service makes a wide range of fuel treatment products, but one we use regularly is Diesel Fuel Supplement and Cetane Boost. Available in containers from 16 oz. to 55 gallons +, the product not only prevents fuel gelling but also boosts Cetane, which improves performance and lubricates fuel pumps and injectors to combat increased wear from today’s Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuels. Cost: $10 or less, dependant on size.
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Battery Tender
Batteries can be expensive and do not last forever – especially when there are long times of nonuse as tractors often experience. Battery chargers are inexpensive, but can actually do damage. A better choice is a tender which will cycle, discharging and charging the battery for longest life. Deltran makes a wide range of battery tenders, ranging from small 12vDC @ .75A units to large 36vDC @ 15A tenders. Because the cost range is wide depending on power requirements, you’ll need to know some specifics about the battery the tender will be used with. Cost: $40 to $500.
Air Station
Air compressors have gotten relatively inexpensive and it’s no longer uncommon to have more than one on the farm. But most are not convenient, often requiring users to take the tractor to the compressor and digging out hoses, nozzles etc. The Chamberlain Air Station mounts on the ceiling of the garage or barn and has a 25’ pull down hose with a pressure gauge, LED light, and 10A AC outlet. The Air Station won’t replace a compressor for heavy work such as running an impact wrench, but for filling tires it works perfectly. Cost: $120 or less.
Tire Gauge
Farm tires are often filled with liquids such as calcium chloride, water, or glycols, which can make tire pressure checks a wet and messy experience. Gauges specifically designed for handle the fluids well also have the ability to vent. Because fluid filled tires cannot be completely filled or there would not be room for the fluid to expand, a proper so-designed gauge should be used. A favorite of ours is made by Longacre and sturdily built for long years of use. Cost: $60 or less.
Mechanics Creeper
No shop is complete without a creeper to slide under machinery, keeping the mechanic off cold, damp or wet floors. Sears, under its Craftsman line, makes a sturdy 15”W x 36”L creeper that rides on six ball bearing wheels and fits the bill nicely. With a 320-pound weight capacity, head rest, and crossrails, the 15-pound Model 51147 won’t fit in a stocking, but is sure to give years of proud use. Cost: $32 or less.
Hand Degreaser
No shop, agricultural operation, or homeowner shed should be without some method of leaving that inevitable dirt and grease someplace other than the home. Hand soap works, but has limitations. Permatex markets an excellent product under its Fast Orange brand. Fast Orange is a MicroGel polymer emulsion synthetic solvent that effectively removes grease and grime from hands. The product is biodegradable, waterless, and petroleum solvent free. A variety of sizes are available, but we like the one-gallon container with hand pump. Cost: $20 or less.
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