If you are in farming, then budgets are likely to be tight and you will usually be searching for economies. That is virtually “business as usual” in agriculture.
However, one place you may not want to reduce spending corners is that of your tools. There could be little point in buying prestige items such as such as Krone hay equipment in the event you then put that in danger by attempting to keep it with cheap tools.
So, here are some top tips for selecting quality tools.
1. Start looking for quality brands that are recognized. If they have been around quite a long time and have a reputation for quality, then they are definitely doing something right. Be prepared to pay a little extra, if needed, for that reassurance.
2. Learn a little about metal descriptions. By way of instance, if terms such as”HSS” or”Chrome-Vanadium” do not mean much to you, you should research them and other similar technical designators. That is because tool manufacturers often use such designations to describe the standard of the metallurgy they utilize. Note that metallic hardness is not always necessarily the sole criterion behind choice – read up on this also.
3. Be sure you understand how different tools operate and which one is perfect for the job. Most professional farmers or farm workers will have a fantastic comprehension of this but it is still possible to find people using an entirely unsuitable tool for the job. That can be harmful and put at risk what you are working on and maybe any warranties you may have in place. In this sense, quality means “select tools that are fit for purpose”.
4. If you’re purchasing tools using a brand name you have never heard of, study them on the world wide web first. Try to discover where the maker is based and receive objective feedback on their products. Be alert to fraudulent sponsored comments designed to mislead. You can often see that by repetitious phraseology employed in feedback remarks, such as”exceptional value tools”, “truly exceptional quality items” and”a fantastic product” all used by supposedly different buyers in quick succession.
Look out too for feedback that’s overly gushing (using many superlatives) and what is left in a language that is obviously not the native language of this supposed customer concerned. Ultimately, most legitimate positive feedback is generally terse, such as”good purchase and I am very pleased”. Be suspicious about a great deal of positive feedback which goes into unnecessary detail – it may suggest the reviewer has been paid by the word and is working too difficult to prove their value.
5. Purchase tools offering a money-back guarantee. Use a credit card or other payment mechanism that provides you a level of protection if you need your money back. That means avoiding money or money transfer payment mechanisms.
6. Be very cautious with offers that appear too good to be true. Some manufacturers do offer loss-leaders when they are getting started and that may result in real bargains but it may also indicate a producer is cutting corners big time on quality.
