Homesteading need?

[daswolter]

For those of you smart enough to have started your homestead already whether you are on grid or off I have a question for you.

What are some equipment, tools or other items that you simple can't do without on the homestead that you would recommend for a starting homestead?

[counteryboy5]

No thinker chainsaw!!! 

[daswolter]

Just had to buy a new one of those. That is what got me thinking about this thread.

[counteryboy5]

At least you got one

[daswolter]

I live in the city right now and I wouldn't be without one.

[billfosburgh]

chainsaw is tops on my list also.
cant do without my tractor, ive had several over the years. i love the one now, 424 IH with loader.
love my dumptruck also 1968GMC
5 gal buckets & milk crates, cant have enough
my rototiller, use it alot
im in the process of building a log ark now that will sure come in handy.
#1 tool on any homestead or farm is Knowledge!!! learn all you can & hone your skills. take it slow & keep it small & enjoy the adventure.
the #1 agricultural sin in this country is the desire to own more land than you can thourghly manure & cultivate.
Happy Homesteading

[daswolter]

Hey thanks Bill! It's going to start out as a sustenance farm and getting out of the city and we'll go from there. I was considering getting a UTV for work around the future homestead, but now I'm leaning more towards a tractor. I think I'll get more use out of it than the UTV.

My question is I have never own a tractor and like the idea of getting an older one, less electronic crap they throw on todays equipment. Is it easy to find parts for the older tractors or is it an scavenger hunt trying to fix it?

[billfosburgh]

we have several tractor junk yards around here. i have restored seveal over the years. parts are available for almost anything. i have done several different makes, i love IH & thats what i have that i keep & work. all others i get just get fixed & sold.
ebay is a good source for parts. i use it alot

[mike348]

Peavey. No question. If you're going to be using a chain saw, you really need a peavey. It can't be beat for rolling big logs around.

[farmertrappe]

I know payments suck big time but one of the best investments I made for my farm/homestead was the new Kubota tractor. My time can be limited and I need to get stuff done or it needs to be done in a timely fashion. I truly hate having to spent time fixing equipment instead of the project at hand. Good used is even better, if your handy at mechanical and enjoy the challenge and maintenance it's all good. The front end loader has saved my back in so many way, and the attachment system make it easy for one man operation. And thankfully shes paid off and worth more than anything else I own.

[barkspud]

Ax, grub hoe, pick ax, Johnson bar, spade, flat shovel, sledge hammer, splitting maul, chains, straps, rope, a darn good tool box for mechanicing, high lift jack, bottle jacks, chain falls, come alongs, binders and some help that knows how to use it all..:-)

[mrchicken]

Canning equipment.

We just put up 28 quart jars of ornery roosters and 17 quarts of chicken stock.
I think there are a few jars of green beans, wild hog, and venison in the pantry.
Pickles, okra, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, tomatoes....

Almost anything is canable.... is that a word? can-able?

If you are going to homestead, you will need a way to store all the goodies you produce.

[mike348]

Apr 8, 2014 19:53:36 GMT -5 mrchicken said:

Canning equipment.

We just put up 28 quart jars of ornery roosters

 love it!

[daswolter]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Keep them coming I have a lot of the stuff like the canning supplies, I love canning stuff from my gardens. Barkspud I have some of those tools and know how to use some of them myself. Farmer Trapper I am looking at all tractors right now and plan on have one once I have the land and have it paid off before I quit my job. Thanks for the recommendation on the Kubota.