As the weather prepares to start turning cooler, homesteaders everywhere are planning to get their farms in order. From bringing in the last of the summer produce, to patching up leaks in the outbuildings, now is the time for preparation. Having the right fall tools on hand will mean that you and your homestead are ready for winter without being caught off guard.
A Small Tractor
Big projects mean having plenty of elbow grease and horsepower. The MAGNATRAC® RS1000 is the size of your average riding lawn mower, but it’s packed with 1,500 pounds of pulling power behind those tank-like tracks. Whether you need to move soil for that Autumn garden or haul lumber to you build a chicken coop to keep the fowl warm this winter, this small machine is perfect for the biggest projects.
https://struckcorp.com/products/magnatrac-rs1000/
A Chainsaw
Planning on cutting your own firewood? Having a good chainsaw on hand can make the chore a whole lot easier. It’s also good to have one for cleaning up dying trees or limbs that need to be cleared out. Popular mechanics tested five different chain saws to see which ones stood up to farm demands the best.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/reviews/g154/chain-saw-comparison-field-test/
Staple Gun
Once those fall winds start barreling through, you’ll need a fast way to tack things down…like tarps, shingles, and more. A good staple gun can come in handy when there’s a leak in the barn and you need to keep the rest of your tools (or feed for the livestock) dry.
https://homesteading.com/best-homesteading-tools/
Post Hole Digger
A manual post hole digger will help you break ground before it turns into frozen tundra in the winter. If you need to fence off a different area for your animals, or separate out a plot for your fall garden, a post hole digger is an absolute must. If you prefer, you can even get an electric version to attach to your tractor, to minimize the amount of time it takes to build your fence.
Leaf Blower
Don’t break your back. A leaf blower makes a raking job easier and faster. Easily pile up dried foliage to add to your compost areas, clean up after you’ve trimmed any shrubbery, or move grass clippings from the front lawn. Leaf blowers are handy in the fall especially, but they can be used all year long.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/leaf-blowers.htm
Lighting
Cooler weather brings shorter days. But you’ll still have plenty of energy to burn once the sun starts to go down. Don’t let the lack of daylight keep your projects to a minimum. Invest in a good spotlight, flood lamp, lantern, farm light, or other source of lighting for the areas that you plan on working in. Depending on your specific needs, you can even buy solar powered options to stay off of the grid.
Generator
If the power goes out or you run out of firewood, you need a way to stay warm and get things running again. A portable generator is a great investment for any homesteader. It’s one of those things you never want to have to use, but when you need it, you’re glad that you have one.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_generators+portable-generators
Scythes
No, it’s not for a Halloween costume. Handheld farm scythes are making a comeback for homesteaders and small farmers. A scythe can be used to harvest plants or mow down areas that are hard to get to with a large tractor or other equipment. You can even use them to mow your lawn!
Nut Gatherer
If you’re lucky enough to have nut trees on your property, fall is the time to start harvesting them. Having the right tools handy can help you collect more of the small shelled fruits than your furry neighbors do. Plus, the kids and grandkids will like using rolling nut gatherers. They’ll burn plenty of energy while having fun at the same time.
http://www.gardenweasel.com/garden-weasel-products/garden-weasel-tools/weasel-nut-gatherer/
