Keeping a tractor into a ISO shipping container

[rogerius]

It's not really a project but I'm planing for next year to buy a tractor. On my property I don't have any buildings to keep the toy secured at the moment and not plans to build a barn in the future, but I need the tractor. So I was thinking at the idea to buy a ISO shipping container 20' long in which to keep the tractor. So what do you think? Any pro/cons? To hot in the summer? To cold in the winter?
Any advice/suggestions are appreciated.
Thx

 

[wedge40]

There is the out of sight out of mind thing of any type of building/container. But I always tell people locks are for honest people. If someone wants something bad enough they will figure out how to get it. Oh and locks make it easier to collect on insurance.

Wedge

 

[Raspy]

I've been storing my NH 29DA in a 40' container for several years when not in regular use. I have to fold down the ROPS to get it in. It's an excellent way to protect it

No weather gets to it, no sun on it, and it might be a bit warmer in the winter since it's out of the wind. I don't worry much about it getting stolen, but the container does give it added security. I do think it gets a bit warm in the summer, but you could add ventilators if you wanted to. I haven't.

I also put my Samurai, my Harley and two Bolens garden tractors in there with it.

Containers are so handy and I have two of them. The second one is for building materials and stuff we're gathering for the new house.

They hold up very well and can be set with a block under each corner if you want them off the ground a bit. I poured some 1 1/2 inch gravel in front to make an approach.

Mine have been painted and the roof coated with white trailer top coating for rust resistance and to keep it a bit cooler.

 

[Don87]

I would consider ventilating the container.
4 or 6, 3 inch holes, on the sides, near the top. With screening attached to the inside, and a shield on the outside to keep water out.(kinda like a dryer vent)

 

[3238dpw]

Then there is always this option
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/33401-my-container-barn.html

 

[hotiron01]

Lots of them get used down here on the Texas Gulf Coast. Humidity is the biggest problem. As far as venting goes, some vents on top and some down near the floor helps circulate the air and it does keep it drier. I had planned on getting 2 of the "High Cubes" which are 9'6" tall, and putting roof trusses over the top to span an open area. Close the center in as time permits.

 

[Gary Fowler]

We use them for temporary shops by doing almost like Eddie Walker, except on construction site, the roof needs to be higher. We space 2 ea (or 4 if we want it longer)40 foot containers up to 40 feet apart and then raise the roof by welding clips to the top and anchoring a wall structure 4 to 8 feet high just like you would if you were building a wood frame structure. Then you can use wood trusses like Eddie or steel trusses to span the width. If you do this then you need to slightly lean the containers to the outside so that water drains off the sides and not to the interior. The containers make excellent lockable storage areas and the good ones that dont have any holes rusted in them and have good sealing doors are pretty much air tight so moisture is not a problem. They dont exchange the air and sweat if you lock the doors tight. I would just caution you if you are buying one to pick out one that the doors open and close easily and the rubber gasket is in good shape. Take a ladder and inspect the roof well for rusted out spots. We have about 2500 of them on my present job and some of them are so bad that one guy fell thru an area that was rusted out while doing something on top of one. Now we dont allow anyone to walk around on top of them. These were all still in service when we got them too, so just beware of what you buy. Good solid ones make very cheap storage and barns.

 

[Super Cubes]

Containers are great for storing tractors! The previous response that suggested putting the containers on gravel is the advice I give my customers who are putting them in an unpaved area. The gravel is great for keeping the flooring up out of standing water and extends the life of the container. Also you can put blocking between the gravel and the container to keep it even further off the ground, but that does generally let the critters have easier access to the space between the ground and the container.

As for venting and roofing, those are great options. If you don't want to have to make up your own vent, I do have kits that you just cut a hole and weld in a frame and vent which keeps the container a little drier. I also have some roofs that span between containers, but they only span the area between the containers and don't cover the containers themselves.

Using mobile home roof tar on the roof also extends the life of a container be preventing the rust from forming so quickly. Rust really is what ultimately gets these in the end. Other than rust, they are fairly indestructible!

 

[sandman2234]

My container is one of the older ones, solid aluminum, except for the doors. Been storing stuff in it for almost 30 years, and until I moved it and made the mistake of sitting it on the gound, the floor was holding up fine. Ground moisture rotted the floor on the end I left on the ground, and the cost of replacing the floor is more than I would spend on a later model container (about $15-18 hundred) and at peak prices, the 3500 pounds of aluminum is worth a lot more than the not quite $300 I paid for it. So if I ever decide to put it back into service, it will probably be replaced.
If you have room, go for the 40' or larger ones. The high cube (9'6") are at a premium due to still being heavily in service in the shipping industry.
David from jax

 

[heitjer]

I have a 20ft container for over a year now. My tractor, ATV and a lot of other tools are stored in there including gas and diesel.

I got mine delivered for $2000 and had it placed on railroad ties to keep it off the ground.

Since the photo was taken I added more shelving to the right side. Simple 2x4's wedged to the top - very stable. Also, the container has tie down rings in the top that allow you to secure a horizontal 2x4 to nail & hang hand tools.

Make sure you talk to your supplier, be flexible in your delivery and they will work with you to get a good one. Typically they do not have the ability to show you the one you will get so you have to trust them on this. I was lucky with mine.

I have been now through a winter and a real hot summer with it (Houston...) and I have experienced no problems. In the summer I typically open the doors and let it vent for 5 minutes before I attempt to start the tractor.