Top Tips for Selecting Quality Farm Tools

If you are in agriculture, budgets are likely to be tight and you will often be looking to save. That’s pretty much “business as usual” in agriculture.

However, one area where you may not want to save money is on your tools. There may not be much point in buying prestige items like, say, Krone hay kits if you then put them at risk by trying to maintain them with cheap tools.

So, here are some important tips for selecting quality tools.

1. Look for recognized quality brands. If they’ve been around for a long time and have a reputation for quality, then they’re clearly doing something right. Be prepared to pay a little more, if necessary, for that peace of mind.

2. Learn a little about metal descriptions. For example, if terms like “HSS” or “chrome vanadium” don’t mean much to you, you should research them and other similar technical designators. This is because toolmakers often use such designations to describe the quality of metalworking they use. Please note that metal hardness is not always necessarily the sole criterion behind selection; also read about it.

3. Make sure you understand how the different tools work and which one is right for the job. Most farmers or professional farm workers will have a good understanding of this, but it is still possible to see people using a tool that is totally inappropriate for the job. That can be dangerous and put at risk what you’re working on and perhaps any collateral you may have. In this sense, quality means “selected tools that fit their purpose”.

4. If you’re buying tools from a brand you’ve never heard of, do some research on the Internet first. Try to find out where the manufacturer is located and get objective feedback on their products. Be alert to fraudulent sponsored reviews designed to mislead. You can often spot it by the boilerplate phraseology used in feedback comments, such as “tools of exceptional value,” “items of truly exceptional quality,” and “an excellent product,” all used by supposedly different buyers in quick succession.

Also be on the lookout for comments that are overly effusive (using lots of superlatives) and those that are left in a language that is clearly not the native language of the alleged customer in question. Finally, most legitimate positive feedback is usually concise, such as “good purchase and I’m very satisfied.” Be suspicious of many positive comments that include unnecessary details; it might suggest that the reviewer is paid per word and is working too hard to prove himself.

5. Buy tools that offer a money-back guarantee. Use a credit card or other payment mechanism that offers you a degree of protection in case you ask for your money back. That means avoiding cash payment mechanisms or cash transfers.

6. Be very wary of offers that seem too good to be true. Some producers offer loss-leading products when they’re starting out and that can lead to real bargains, but it can also mean a manufacturer is cutting corners on quality.

Good luck with your purchase!