Canvas tarp best for covering equipment?

[BillsKubota]

Hello, this is my first post. I wanted to introduce myself and ask for some advice. I spent some time on here learning about PTO Chippers. My general plan was to order a chipper from our local Kubota/JD dealer in the spring. But the dealer called this week and had a Bear Cat model 73454 four inch pto chipper someone wanted to sell. Nice shape and I think I paid a fair price. However, I don't have anywhere to store it for the winter and was wondering if a canvas tarp is superior for covering equipment over plastic tarps? My thinking is that the canvas would dry out instead of hold moisture like plastic. Advice?

 

[murphy1244]

:welcome:

 

[murphy1244]

Better than nothing.

 

[BillsKubota]

Better than nothing.

Hello murphy, any opinion about canvas being "better" than the cheap blue tarps?

 

[murphy1244]

Yes, I think so. It will at least not trap moisture.

 

[Thomas]

Welcome Bill.
As Murphy aleady said..if you don't plan on useing until warm weather.

 

[duroc]

Welcome to the forum, Bill!

Anything is better than nothing to cover your equipment, but in my opinion, a canvas tarp is better than the plastic. I've had my FEL bucket and QA pallet forks covered since October with canvas and so far they have stayed dry despite all the rain and snow we've had here this winter. Also, the canvas stays-put with just a few bungee cords, unlike the blue plastic tarps.

 

[greg_g]

Indoors is preferable. Otherwise canvas, as long as the waterproofing is current. If you want to maintain water-resistance and extend lifespan, canvas tarps must be periodically re-treated. Otherwise you end up with a sodden mess covering your equipment. Some formulas also include a UV resistant component. When I initially kept mine outdoors, I parked it on a pallet. Besides keeping the chipper off wet ground, the pallet also offered plenty of tie points for the tarp

//greg//

 

[sixdogs]

Indoors is preferable. ...

...

When I initially kept mine outdoors, I parked it on a pallet. Besides keeping the chipper off wet ground, the pallet also offered plenty of tie points for the tarp

//greg//

Good idea. I learned to put plastic, or a plastic tarp down first, then a pallet and the the item on it. This way, ground moisture is stopped and I think this is most of the problem. Doing it this way I can cover with a plastic tarp and tie it down good. Things do real well this way. Canvas tarps can become a soggy mess.

 

[radioman]

I agree -- pallet and canvas.

 

[greg_g]

Doing it this way I can cover with a plastic tarp and tie it down good. Things do real well this way. Canvas tarps can become a soggy mess.

I use plastic pallets, but not everybody has access to them. But I used a plastic tarp only once. Too many sharp edges on a chipper. After a couple of good winds, it was shredded. A properly treated canvas tarp should not become a soggy mess. But if you just drag an old out out of the shed...... Even old ones - assuming the mice haven't started on them - can be restored with a preservation treatment. I linked to an example earlier.

//greg//

 

[Dave M7040]

I have had good success with EPDM rubber roof membrane. It is durable in sunlight, breathes any trapped moisture, yet is waterproof. Very tough.
Try and find a roofer in your neighborhood who does that type of roofing. Often they have used pieces from roofs they replace which still have a lot of use in them.
Carlisle is one of the major brands, Firestone may still be in the business.
The material is often used for pond liners.
Dave M7040

 

[BillsKubota]

Too many sharp edges on a chipper. After a couple of good winds, it was shredded. A properly treated canvas tarp should not become a soggy mess. But if you just drag an old out out of the shed...... Even old ones - assuming the mice haven't started on them - can be restored with a preservation treatment. I linked to an example earlier.

//greg//

Thank you all for the good info. No canvas at Menards so I brought home a 4 wheeler cover but..."too many sharp edges on a chipper." I am heading to tractor supply in a few minutes to get a canvas tarp. I was just outside and pulled the chipper off my trailer onto a pallet, but putting plastic underneath makes sense to me. I suppose I could drag it off and put plastic under there. It isn't that heavy. Yeah, that is what I will do, it makes sense to me. Maybe this summer I can get a machine shed or something built. Being outdoors sure takes its toll on stuff. My poor kubota looked like new before I started parking it outside all year. : (

Quick edit: put a piece of rubber on top of the pallet then set the chipper on that. Should block the ground moisture. Wrapped the new 10 X 12 canvas tarp around the chipper with 4 tie downs and should be good till spring. I took the shoot off and stuck it inside.