How bad is it to store tractor outside?

[Jay4200]

OK that's good to hear. Can I leave the dey in the ignition, or will that let water trickle in?

I would not leave the key in. I think that would let water into the switch mechanism.

I got a 10'x20' tent-garage at Cosco for $200 and stored my tractor in there for a few years, until...

Now I have a barn, so my tractor is kept inside. My neighbor has a cool system - he parks his old Ford outside w/o cover, but has a small tarp set-up that covers the cockpit - like a little tent. I think there is a little DIY frame under it and it's held on by a couple of bungees. That way, the seat, controls, and dash are protected. He also covers the exhaust stack (uses a basketball with a hole in it).

JayC

 

[SandburRanch]

A D john Deere had lead paint with a steel seat and steering wheel and could take it.

Today's tractors - I would hate to leave out on a cloudy day or exposed to light dew.:laughing::laughing:

 

[dmay]

Just got a Kubota B9200. It's apprearance is already fairly weathered. I am tight for garage space. How bad would it be to store it outside? Would putting a tarp help. BTW, I'm in western PA.

Same question can be asked about storing anything outside. Tractor, car, boat. If you can store it inside out of the weather and UV rays it will look nicer and last longer. If you dont have indoor space you can purchase a portable garage fairly cheap:

ShelterLogic Autoshelter Instant Garage

 

[bigbull338]

i keep my new tractor outside.an always keep tractors outside.

 

[BethesdaEC]

I got a 10'x20' tent-garage at Cosco for $200 and stored my tractor in there for a few years, until...

JayC

I put ratchet straps to re-enforce the roof of my canopy. The ropes hanging from the straps are to to make sure I don't pull out without removing them.

 

[Rod in Forfar]

This winter my Massey Ferguson 35 would barely run. It had sat outside all fall because of another tractor getting the attention. Finally I tracked the problem down to the air cleaner, completely full of ice from the fall rains. With the air cleaner serviced, the 35 ran as well as new. I put it in the shed.

 

[Mousefield]

If you can it is better to keep things inside or at least under cover. Having spent in the area of $30,000.00 for my tractor and backhoe I don't think it's in my best interest to keep it outside under all types of weather conditions. I did have it under cover in a portable garage but as you can see from the pic I forgot :ashamed: 2 winters ago to take the snow off the roof. Thankfully there was not even a scratch on the tractor. That was the first winter I had the tractor. Did buy another portable garage and it has worked well for me. I think you should try to protect your investment as much as you can, even if it's just a tarp.

 

[some zilch]

those "tent" garages; at least the fully enclosed ones; are moisture/condensation magnets. they harbor moisture and rust anything inside them. i had a 20ft one from TSC, and the truck inside it rusted terribly in about 1 year---it was always covered in dew. i also had to use ratchet straps to hold the roof together, and it finally gave in to high winds and blew about 1000ft across the yard, and ended up 20ft high in a tree, still in one peice, but damaged beyond repair.

my tractor stays inside always. i HATE leaving things like that out in the weather. i used to park my 84ft long peterbilt/lowboy inside every night.......

 

[First one]

I try to get mine under the pole barn every night .
If its a nice summer night I don't think about it . I do try and keep it inside if I'm not using it so the sun won't fade it out.
Winter time I make sure it's in the barn with the block heater plugged in. It's nice not to have to deal with ice and snow all over it. I'm thinking that if I ever want to trade or sell it, it well still look good and help show how it's been taking care of. Even if I had gotten an older tractor , I would still keep it covered up, cab or not.

 

[2458n]

The steering wheel was the only bad point for water entry. It would enter under a plastic cap and flow down the steering shafts key way. This in turn caused the steering box to freeze in the winter. Silicone was placed on top of the center of the steering wheel {nut and washer}. Plastic cover replaced. Tractor outside in Ohio weather since 1982. Barn would be better but county said no! And you thought this was America.