Farmers and professional mechanics have the same basic tools, but professionals often have more specialty tools to save them time and/or make repairs easier. Here are five you could get for a small investment:
Tire Valve Stem Extensions
Valve stems on Budd wheels, dual wheels and some equipment wheels can be in plain sight, but at just enough angle so it’s impossible to get a tire pressure gauge or air chuck on the Schrader valve. A tire valve extension kit from Seaplenn includes 45°, 90° and 135° extensions and is listed on Amazon for $13.99.
Radiator Hose Removal Tools
If hose removal tools are used only for removing radiator hoses, they’re under-used. The 45°, 90° and 135° hooks on the ends of the tools have hundreds of uses like pulling wiring harnesses from dashboards, hooking hoses or wiring inside frame tubes or retrieving a floating glove or wipe from a sprayer tank. A six-piece set with extra angles and bends lists for $60 at Harbor Freight or other specialty outlets.
Ratcheting Snap Ring Pliers
These pliers make removing and installing snap rings up to 3" both safer and easier. An $84 set of Neiko Heavy-Duty 16" Snap Ring pliers have ratcheting mechanisms to maintain tension on inside or outside snap rings during removal and installation, with 16" cushioned handles for the leverage needed to conquer big snap rings.
Wrench Extenders
This tool doesn’t make sense until you need one, like when it’s impossible to get a socket and breaker bar onto a really stubborn bolt or nut in tight quarters. Slip a wrench extender over the handle of a standard open end/closed end wrench and gain 16" to 24" of leverage. Prices on Amazon range from $30 to $70, depending on the quality and length of the tool.
Retractable Test Leads
Retractable test leads simplify testing of long wiring harnesses. They take minimal space in a tool box, stretch to 30' and have insulated alligator clips on the ends of the wires. Much better than digging out from under the workbench a tangled wad of leftover electrical wire and using it for testing. Get one for $25 on Amazon.
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