Gear We Actually Use
No sponsored picks. No paid reviews. This is what's actually on our farm, what works, and what doesn't. Some links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra and help keep CropCircuit running.
Hand Tools
36" handle, 6.3 lbs. Splits most hardwood in one swing. Lifetime warranty. ~$45 on Amazon. This is the first tool I'd buy.
No-till bed prep without a tractor. 5-tine, American-made. ~$200. Expensive but lasts forever and replaces a rototiller.
Geared mechanism cuts through 2" branches easily. ~$30. Essential for trail clearing and orchard work.
Get the steel tray, not plastic. Pneumatic tire. ~$90. Skip the fancy ones — this handles everything.
Chainsaw Gear
The workhorse for firewood and land clearing. Reliable, parts available everywhere. ~$400 new, $200-300 used.
Non-negotiable safety gear. ~$60. Saved my leg once already.
Sharpens chain and depth gauge in one pass. ~$20. Sharpen every tank of gas.
Clothing (What Survives Farm Work)
The only pants that last more than a season of brush clearing. ~$50.
Waterproof, insulated to -60F. Michigan winters require real boots. ~$170.
Dexterous enough for tools, tough enough for fencing. ~$15. Buy in bulk.
Tech (Farm Automation)
Used for ~$100-150 on eBay. Runs Home Assistant, Docker, and all our automation 24/7. Low power draw (~35W).
Skip the fancy ones. A basic probe tells you enough for decision-making.
$15 on Amazon. Essential for knowing when wood is seasoned (under 20%). Pay for itself on the first cord you sell.
Poultry Startup Kit
Plans in our blog. Hardware cloth + pallets + hinges = $40 total.
164 ft, 42" tall. ~$150 + solar energizer ~$100. Predator protection that actually works.
$40 for the heated base. Prevents freezing to -10F. Must-have for Michigan winters.
These are tools we actually own and use. When you buy through our links, you support CropCircuit at zero extra cost to you.
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