Ag Mechanics Tool ID Competition Study Guide

Double Bit Axe

Used for cutting small trees and trimming logs or tops. Features two cutting edges (avoid vertical storage for safety) and a straight, oval 36-inch handle.

Hand Axe

A compact cutting tool with a single-bladed head and 16–18 inch handle, designed for sharpening stakes, trimming brush and small limbs, and driving survey stakes.

Single Bit Axe

A versatile tool for building fences, cutting small trees, and general construction. Not for striking wedges or iron stakes. Typically has a balanced, oval 36-inch hickory handle.

Battery Pliers

A specialized gripping tool with angled jaws and end clearance, designed to remove terminal connections safely while preventing damage to covers in confined spaces.

Diagonal Cutting Pliers

Feature curved, lap-jointed handles and angled cutting jaws, designed for cleanly cutting wire, small pins, or soft metal in tight or hard-to-reach spaces.

Fence Pliers

Multi-function fencing tool with gripping jaws and leverage handles used to pull, stretch, and tighten wire securely against fence posts.

Locking Pliers

Hand tool with a toggle-lock mechanism that clamps securely onto objects, maintaining a firm hold until released, ideal for gripping, fastening, and repair tasks.

Retaining Ring Pliers

Specialized pliers used to install and remove internal and external circular retaining fasteners, providing controlled expansion or compression for precise mechanical assembly and disassembly tasks.

Slip Joint Combination Pliers

General-purpose hand tool with adjustable jaw positions for gripping flat or round materials and cutting soft wire, offering versatility for everyday maintenance and repair tasks.

Water Pump Pliers

Adjustable hand tool with jaws opening up to 2 inches, providing a secure grip on pipes and fittings of various sizes for plumbing, repair, and maintenance tasks.

Center Punch

Manufactured in various sizes and lengths, it is used to mark precise drill points on metal and other materials.

Drift Punch

Tapered shank tool used to align holes and adjust parts, and to drive out pins or fasteners during assembly.

Hole Punch

Hand tool designed to create clean, precise holes in gaskets, leather, belts, and other materials, making it ideal for fabrication, repair, and fitting tasks.

Leather Punch

Hand-operated tool with opposing handles designed to create clean holes in soft materials such as leather, rubber, and similar materials.

Pin Punch

Hand tool with a long straight shank sized by diameter, used to drive out pins and bolts during disassembly and maintenance.

Prick Punch

Sharp-pointed tool ground to a 30-degree angle, used to lightly mark precise layout points before drilling or further machining.

Clutch Driver

Specialty fastening tool designed to engage specific screw heads found in mobile homes, boats, recreational vehicles, and electric motors.

Driver Bits

Interchangeable driving attachments used with power tools to tighten or loosen fasteners, available in various head types such as Phillips, slotted, Torx, and hex.

Nut Driver

Commonly used in electrical and sheet metal work, this tool tightens or loosens hex fasteners with a hollow shaft for accessibility.

Offset Screwdriver

Used where it is difficult to reach the screw head with a common or standard screwdriver.

Phillips Screwdriver

Used to drive cross-shaped fasteners; selecting the correct size ensures proper fit, prevents stripping, and improves control, efficiency, and safety during use.

Screwdriver Bits

Interchangeable tips for power drivers, available in slotted, Phillips, square, and Torx styles; hexagonal shank allows secure fit and quick changes.

Security Bits

Tamper-resistant driver attachments designed with specialized head patterns, used with compatible tools to install or remove fasteners in equipment, electronics, and assemblies.

Slotted Screwdriver

Used primarily in woodworking, this tool drives flat-head fasteners, providing control and precision when tightening or loosening screws in wood materials and assemblies.

Square Recess Screwdriver

Screwdriver with a square-shaped tip used to drive square-shaped fasteners, providing strong engagement and reduced cam-out for secure fastening and removal tasks.

Stubby Screwdriver

Short-handled tool with 1 ¼ to 1 1/2 inch blade, available in slotted and Phillips, designed for tight or confined spaces.

Torx Head Screwdriver

Screwdriver with a star- shaped tip used to drive tamper-resistant fasteners in appliances, electronics, and equipment, providing strong grip and reduced cam-out.

Box End Wrench

Enclosed-end wrench available in 6- and 12-point configurations, designed to grip hex fasteners securely for tightening or loosening bolts and nuts.

Combination End Wrench

Wrench with both open and box ends, offering the advantage of versatility for tightening or loosening hex bolts and nuts in mechanical work.

Open End Wrench

A hand tool with two open ends of different sizes, used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts in various applications.

Tubing Wrench

Six-point box-end tool designed to grip nuts on tubing fittings securely, while allowing access where standard wrenches cannot fit easily. Also called a flare nut wrench.

Deep Socket

Extended socket attachment for recessed fasteners, available in standard, thin, and extra-thin walls, with 6- or 12-point openings and 3/8, 1/2, or 3/4 inch drives.

Eight Point Socket

Designed for square nuts commonly found on farm machinery, providing secure grip and efficient torque transfer.

Flex Socket

Allows fastening or loosening bolts at various angles, providing flexibility in tight or obstructed spaces where straight alignment with fasteners is not possible.

Six Point Socket

Attachment tool with six internal contact points designed to securely fit hexagonal nuts, providing strong grip and reducing fastener rounding during tightening or loosening tasks.

Twelve Point Socket

Thin-walled tool designed for tight spaces, engaging twelve-point fasteners to deliver efficient torque for tightening and loosening applications in mechanical assemblies.

Breaker Bar

Long, non-ratcheting handle used with sockets to apply high torque, helping loosen stubborn or tightly fastened bolts and nuts without damaging tools.

Extension Bar

Connecting accessory used between a socket wrench and ratchet handle, providing working clearance and extended reach, typically available in lengths from 3 to 20 inches.

Flex Handle

Short-handled hand tool with a compact 1¼–1½ inch blade, available in slotted or Phillips styles, designed to reach and fasten or loosen screws in tight, confined, or hard-to-access spaces.

Ratchet Handle

Hand-operated drive tool with an internal reversing mechanism that speeds fastening work, commonly available in 1/4-inch to 3/4-inch drive sizes for socket applications.

Slide Bar Handle

Sliding drive tool used as a “T” or “L” grip in combination with an extension, providing leverage for tightening or loosening fasteners.

Speed Handle

Hand tool with a crank-style rotating handle and ratcheting socket drive that allows fast tightening or loosening of nuts and bolts.

Socket Adaptor

Converts between different drive sizes, allowing larger drive sockets to be used with smaller drive ratchets or handles for greater tool compatibility.

Universal Joint

Flexible coupling that allows power transfer at an angle between tools and sockets, identifiable by its pivoting, cross-shaped joint design.

Adjustable Wrench

Hand tool with movable jaw that adjusts to fit various fastener sizes, commonly sized by overall length in inches for gripping and turning applications.

Chain Wrench

Hand tool with a chain loop that wraps around cylindrical objects to grip and turn them, commonly used on pipes and round fittings.

Hex Key

L-shaped hand tool made from hexagonal stock with one end bent at 90 degrees, used to tighten or loosen internal hexagon fasteners.

Strap Wrench

Hand tool with an adjustable strap that wraps around smooth or irregular surfaces, providing a non-marring grip for turning pipes, filters, and cylindrical objects securely.

Crow Bar

Long prying tool, typically four to five feet, with a tapered round end and a chisel point for leverage tasks.

Flat Pry Bar

Contoured flat bar with beveled nail slots at both ends, designed for prying, lifting, and removing nails. Also called a Wonder Bar (Stanley brand name).

Pry or Fitting Bar

Long bar with a tapered round end and curved hook, used for prying, aligning, and adjusting heavy components.

Ripping Bar

Heavy-duty octagon-shaped tempered steel bar used for demolition, prying materials apart, and removing large nails, also known as a wrecking bar.

Bench Brush

16-inch hand brush used for sweeping debris from workbenches and cleaning work surfaces.

Parts Brush

Wood-handled brush with black bristles and a metal-sealed end, designed to float in solvent for cleaning small parts while preventing loss in tank.

Push Broom

Wide-floor broom with long 4–5 ft handle and stiff, dense bristles mounted in a rectangular head, used for sweeping large surface areas.

Wire Brush

Hand tool with stiff steel or brass bristles mounted in a block or handle, used to remove rust, slag, and debris from metal surfaces before welding or finishing.

Drill Press Vise

Clamping fixture with two adjustable jaws and mounting base (often with bolt slots) used to hold workpieces securely during drilling.

Machinist’s Vise

Bench-mounted clamping device with a swivel base and replaceable jaws, designed to securely hold metal workpieces for machining, cutting, and assembly, not for hammering or bending.

Woodworker’s Vise

Flat, smooth jaws open up to 12 inches and are often lined with wood to protect workpieces during clamping.

Bar Clamp

Long bar-style tool with sliding jaw and screw mechanism that quickly adjusts and tightens to apply strong pressure for securely holding workpieces during assembly or glue-up tasks.

“C” Clamp

C-shaped screw tool with adjustable threaded mechanism and swivel pad, designed to apply strong, focused pressure on workpieces ranging from 2 to 12 inches.

“C” Clamp Locking Pliers

Adjustable hand tool with curved C-shaped jaws and screw adjustment mechanism, designed to quickly secure irregular shapes firmly during welding, fastening, and fabrication tasks.

Corner Clamp

Tool with 90-degree angled jaws designed to hold cabinet frames and similar materials securely in place during assembly, gluing, and precise right-angle joining.

Locking Welding Clamp

Adjustable tool with curved jaws and screw mechanism designed to securely hold two workpieces side-by-side or at right angles during welding and fabrication.

Pipe Clamp

Tool system that uses a steel pipe as a bar to hold and secure workpieces together, providing strong adjustable pressure for woodworking and assembly tasks.

Spring Clamp

Spring-loaded hand tool with pivoting handles that maintain constant tension, enabling quick, temporary gripping of flat or round objects during assembly, repair, or positioning tasks.

Strap Clamp

Hand tool using a fabric strap that tightens around large or irregular projects, providing secure, even pressure for holding items during assembly, gluing, or repair tasks.

Irrigation Shovel

Digging tool with a nearly straight blade aligned to the handle, designed for efficient soil penetration and trenching work in irrigation and landscaping applications.

Round Point Shovel

Digging tool with a pointed, angled blade and long handle, designed for breaking and moving soil efficiently in landscaping, construction, and general earthwork applications.

Scoop Shovel

Wide-blade digging tool designed for efficiently moving loose materials such as soil, gravel, or grain, available with short ferrule handle or 54-inch long handle.

Square Point Shovel

Used for scooping and moving loose materials such as sand and gravel, featuring a wide, flat rectangular blade with a straight cutting edge and typically a 50-inch handle.

Trench Shovel

Narrow, long-bladed digging tool designed for creating deep, straight-sided ditches, efficiently removing soil in confined, linear spaces for drainage and utility installation tasks.

Bow Rake

Garden tool with 15 pointed tines set at 90 degrees on a 5-foot handle, designed for breaking soil, leveling ground, and spreading materials efficiently.

Landscape Rake

Rigid, straight-toothed garden tool designed for leveling soil, spreading gravel, and smoothing surfaces, ensuring even ground preparation for landscaping, construction, and finishing applications.

Lawn Rake

Wide-headed garden tool with flexible tines designed for gathering leaves, grass clippings, and light debris from outdoor surfaces, maintaining clean and tidy yard spaces.

Clay Pick

Heavy digging tool with pointed/chisel head used to break hard soil or clay; handle is 32 inches long and thicker near the head for strength.

Cutter Mattock

Tool with blades rotated 90 degrees and a central oval handle hole (handle sold separately) for cutting roots and breaking hard ground.

Pick Mattock

Dual-ended digging tool with one sharp pointed end and one blade, designed for breaking hardpan and excavating very hard soil in construction and landscaping tasks.

Post Hole Auger

Hand-operated tool that rotates a digging head to bore deep, narrow holes for posts in soil.

Post Hole Digger

It is operated by thrusting the points into the soil and spreading the handles to remove the soil. Also called a Clam Shell.

Air Compressor

Used for supplying compressed air for spray painting and for operating air tools at low pressures (less than 100 psi).

Anvil

Heavy steel surface ranging from 20 to 200 pounds, used for shaping and forming hot or cold metal during forging work.

Bolt Cutter

The toggle and lever joints develop great mechanical advantage, allowing it to shear through heavy metal fasteners and similar rigid stock such as chain and reinforcing bar.

Chain Saw

Powered cutting tool using gas or electric motor with a rotating chain, designed for cutting trees, logs, and heavy wood materials efficiently.

Contractor’s Wheelbarrow

Heavy-duty material transport cart with a deep, reinforced steel tray and a single pneumatic tire, designed for moving soil, gravel, concrete, and other construction materials over rough terrain.

Cut-off Saw

Powered abrasive cutting tool that uses disposable cutting wheels to rapidly sever steel bar, pipe, and other heavy metal stock in construction and fabrication work.

Extension Ladder

Adjustable access equipment that extends to reach higher surfaces, designed for safe use in exterior work and elevated tasks requiring stable vertical support.

Face Shield

Eye protection that covers the entire face. Often used with safety glasses when full protection of the face is required.

Hammer Tacker

Impact-operated fastening tool that drives staples with a striking motion, used for installing insulation, builder’s paper, roofing felt, and similar construction materials efficiently.

Hog Ring Pliers

Hand-operated tool with slotted jaws designed to hold and close metal rings, used for fastening wire mesh, fencing, and similar assembly applications securely.

Roller Stand

Adjustable support device with a rolling top surface designed to hold and guide long materials during cutting, measuring, or assembly tasks for improved stability and control.

Rotary Hammer

Heavy-duty, pistol-grip power tool with SDS chuck and vibration-dampening side handle, used for drilling concrete and masonry or chiseling with carbide-tipped bits.

Safety Glasses

Eye protection covering eyes with side shields to reduce impact from debris, dust, and particles.

Safety Goggles

Eye protection that fully covers the eyes and fits over glasses, helping shield against dust and debris during work.

Sawhorse

Support frame with a wide, inverted “V” or “A”-shaped design and cross bracing, used in pairs to hold lumber or materials steady during cutting, sawing, or construction tasks.

Staple Gun

Tool available in heavy-duty and light-duty models, driving 3/16 to 1/2 inch staples for fastening materials securely.

Step Ladder

Self-supporting A-frame folding access tool designed to provide safe elevation for indoor and outdoor work, allowing users to reach higher areas securely during maintenance or construction.

Fiberglass Tape

Lengths of 50', 100', 200, and 300' are the most common. Tape may be graduated in feet and inches, feet and 1/100', or metric.

Measuring Wheel

Used to measure long distances such as field boundaries or road length where high accuracy is not required.

Micrometer

Precision measuring tool with sizes ranging from 0–1 inch up to 12 inches, used for accurate thickness or diameter measurements.