Equipment & Supplies – What Can’t You Farm Without?

[BYH Project Manager]

No matter how long you’ve been farming or homesteading, there’s always that one tool or piece of equipment you can’t imagine living without. Maybe it’s a trusty old wheelbarrow that’s seen better days but still gets the job done. Or that one water bucket that somehow never cracks, even in the coldest winter.

When it comes to keeping animals, the right gear can make life so much easier. Good fencing keeps everyone where they belong. A solid set of feeders and waterers can save hours every week. And let’s not forget about all the little things—like brushes, hoof trimmers, or even that perfect pair of gloves that makes chores a little more comfortable.

Of course, every setup is different. What works great for someone with chickens might not be what a goat or pig owner needs. Some folks love to buy new, while others swear by creative DIY solutions. And honestly, sometimes the “best” tool is just whatever you have handy when things get hectic!

So let’s swap ideas and experiences.

• What are your must-have tools or supplies around the barn or coop?
• Have you ever found a cheap or homemade alternative that works just as well as store-bought gear?
• What’s one item you bought thinking you’d love it—but never use?

Your favorite piece of gear might just be the thing someone else didn’t know they needed!

So, what’s your go-to piece of equipment that makes your daily chores easier or more enjoyable?

 

[Baymule]

I love my 23 HP Kubota tractor! I use the front end bucket, bush hog, box blade, and sometimes the disc. I use my son’s 100 HP Kubota to set round bales. It has a lot of attachments that I don’t know how to use, shears, grapple and bigger bush hog.

Trailers. I have an 18’ flatbed and 16’ stock trailer, both bumper pull. Can’t do without them.

Hand tools. ALL OF THEM! And I need more!

Battery operated drill and circle saw. Love them.

Air compressor. I keep tires on my F250 diesel checked and air up when needed. Also check trailer tires after I hitch them up. Air Compressor is a must have. It’s just a small one from Harbor Freight but it does what I need.

Cow panels, hog panels. Useful for many things, can make a quick pen, easy to take apart and move or use them for something else.

 

[fuzzi]

My "farming" is limited to a backyard, with chickens and raised bed gardens. I'm 65 and 5'3", so I try to work smarter, not harder.

For my situation I would recommend the following, get as much quality as you can/can't afford:

• Shovel (pointed blade)
• Spade (flat blade)
• Pruning shears (hand and long handled)
• Rakes (METAL) - both leaf and garden
• Hand tools, cultivators and trowels. My favorite and most used hand tool is a garden knife. I bought a Fiskars model, and have used it for years, without rust, cracking, bending. I leave it and another similar trowel outside, thrust down in the raised beds. It has a yellow handle for easy locating. Hand cultivators are great for spontaneous weeding or hand raking. I have non-rusting types, but also have picked up old tools at yard sales, cheap. They are also left in strategic locations. I keep one in each of my coops.
• Good, quality hoses and nozzles, cheap ones don't use brass fittings, and they will meld to your outside faucet. I had to saw off a hose once, then recut the threads, not fun.
• Garden cart, not a wheelbarrow. The cart I bought (Gorilla) has 4 pneumanic wheels and the load can be dumped with the handle. I have used it a lot!
• Power Tools - I have mostly cordless. All of these are the same brand (Milwaukee) and take the same batteries:
  • Drill
  • Hedge clippers
  • Reciprocating saw (for stumps and branches too big for pruners)

I tried a mini-chain saw, which worked well, but was not practical for me. It jammed up and is now unusable.

Big stuff
I do have a self-propelled gas lawn mower, with a pull cord I can handle. I get it serviced as needed.

I no longer own any hand held string trimmers, I believe they are designed by sadists. I can't start the gas powered types, can't trim for more than a few minutes without the line tangling. Adding line was a nightmare. I was using my hedgeclippers instead, but with limited success. Then @farmerjan mentioned her walkbehind trimmer. It's been a game-changer for me. There are gas powered types, but I invested in a Greenworks cordless. It's easier to use than my mower, and I can keep the wisteria, honeysuckle, and other invasives under control. And the line is not on a spool, but cut in easily replaced sections.

Assorted Small Stuff

• Wrenches, pliers, utility knives, wire cutters
• Zip-ties, both black plastic and metal
• String, especially the free stuff from straw bales
• Gloves
• Protective eye wear - don't skip this, especially around power tools!
• Old shower curtains and tablecloths are handy as tarps and frost coverings

Thanks for asking, and thanks to those who read this as well!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Trailers and tractors here too. My tractor is a T-60 New Holland - love it! No idea how many HP it is. But, I can move round bales with it or anything else I've ever needed to do. It's the only thing on this place that never says "no." A garage-based air compressor and a portable one. A compact, portable, rechargeable jump starter is great for dead batteries. Cow panels, hog panels, and partial pieces of both. Zip ties - both plastic and metal.

I have a PTO driven auger, but a lot of times if I just need a single hole for a post - I'll dig it by hand with clamshell posthole digger. It's faster than changing implements and then needing to change them back.

Battery powered grinder is useful. Previously I would cut stock panels with bolt cutters. No fun at all. Now I take my grinder and cut through 'em like butter! Battery chain saw too and drill. I recently invested in a battery impact wrench after struggling with changing some tractor tires.

You can't beat having the right tool for the job.