I was re-reading Rocky Carr's post on the voracious PTO. I don't leave the tractor running (but I'd like to so I'd have hydraulics) since my storage area is on a slope. Not liking to be inside the lift arms in this situation, I keep a 6 foot piece of 2x4 in the area. If I need to whang something or pry an implement into position, I use the board.
BTW, it's a very old 2x4. Not the crap we get now.
Russ