Five tools that make running a farm smoother and save time
Farming isn’t a one-person job anymore, but a lot of the time, that’s exactly what it feels like. With labor getting harder to find and input costs climbing every year, it falls on your shoulders to figure out how to get more done with less help.
And you’re far from the only one feeling it. In fact, over 64 percent of farms in the U.S. are run by individuals or families with little to no outside labor.
This is exactly why smart equipment matters. Not the flashy tech that collects dust in the shed, but practical and reliable tools that help you work faster, safer, and with less strain on your body. In this article, you’ll find some efficient tools that can save you time and ease the pressure of your daily farm work.
1) PTO generators that keep you running
Outages hit at the worst times. Whether it’s a summer storm or a winter freeze, losing power on the farm can be more than an inconvenience. Water pumps, electric fences, climate control for livestock, and produce storage all grind to a halt. You can’t afford to wait around for the power company.
A PTO-driven generator connects directly to your tractor. No extra engine to take care of, no worrying if it will start. Just back up, hook up, and power critical systems right away. For folks raising livestock, it’s a no-brainer. You protect your animals and avoid emergencies caused by dead pumps or frozen lines. It’s peace of mind during weather you can’t control.
2) Feed bin systems that save time and cut waste
If you’re still scooping from sacks or fighting with old bins that clog, bridge, or let in moisture, you already know how frustrating and time-consuming feeding can be. Grain handling shouldn’t be a daily struggle, and a good feed bin setup changes that.
Hopper bottom bins, in particular, allow for smoother unloading, better flow, and less buildup. They also help keep pests and moisture out, which means your grain stays in good condition longer and you waste less. That’s a win for both feed quality and your wallet.
If you’ve been looking at grain bins for sale, consider systems that are easy to manage and built for real-world use, not just catalog specs. Saving even 10 minutes a day during feeding adds up fast. Over the course of a year, that’s more than 75 hours you can put toward more pressing tasks. So, make sure you get them from a trusted Grain bin parts supplier for better quality products.
3) Skid steer with quick attach implements
A skid steer is like having another set of strong hands. It’s one of the most versatile machines you can put on your farm, especially when you’ve got a quick-attach plate. You can switch from a bucket to pallet forks to a bale spear in minutes.
Daily chores go faster. Moving hay, clearing out bedding, grading driveways, cleaning pens, you name it. Plus, if you’ve got livestock, you already know how often you’re cleaning or hauling something heavy. A decent used skid steer with the right attachments will pay for itself quicker than most equipment on the farm. And if you’re farming solo or with a small crew, it straight-up makes the day doable.
4) Mobile sorting pens for fast, safe animal handling
Working livestock doesn’t have to be a battle. Mobile sorting pens give you control and flexibility. You can set them up wherever you need them out in the pasture, near the barn, or next to your loading chute.
Good panels are strong but lightweight, with secure latches that won’t pop loose mid-sort. That means fewer escapes, less stress on the animals, and safer handling overall. You can move, sort, treat, or load your herd in half the time it used to take wrangling them into a permanent corral that’s nowhere near where you need it. Add in a good alleyway or headgate, and you’ll be surprised how much more smoothly everything runs.
5) RFID tag readers for accurate herd management
Trying to track animal health, weights, treatments, or breeding cycles on paper gets messy fast. Especially once you’ve got more than a few dozen heads. RFID tag systems simplify the process. A handheld reader can instantly pull up an animal’s full record right in the field or the barn. When integrated with livestock management software, these systems can provide even more robust tracking, analytics, and reporting features, helping you make informed decisions faster.
That’s useful when treating animals, checking gains, or keeping up with compliance. It’s also just faster. You don’t have to second-guess yourself or dig through notebooks. More importantly, it makes catching early signs of illness or poor performance much easier, which saves money on vet bills and feed.
How much time can these tools save you?
There’s no badge for doing things the hard way. If a tool can save you 30 minutes a day, that’s over 180 hours a year. Time you could spend fixing what really needs fixing, getting ahead on planning, or maybe taking a break occasionally.
You don’t need all these tools tomorrow. But if something on this list has been on your radar for a while, don’t keep putting it off. The best upgrades on the farm aren’t always big or shiny. They’re the ones that quietly make every single day run better.
