How bad is it to store tractor outside?

[JD5210]

Look at the problems on this web-site to answer your question. Mice and squirrel damage, water in hydraulics from rain and condensation, problems created by rust (clutch, brakes), seats coming apart glue getting wet, electronics getting wet. Since you have a floor you are able to notice leaks, before you run out of fluid. You do not need anything fancy, plus you get to build yourself a man cave and a dry place to work on your tractor.

Just me, but how one keeps their equipment tells me a lot about the person.

 

[dcyrilc]

I have to pose this question.
What about your vehicles? Do they sit outside? Ever?
My tractor was over 30 years old when I bought it and for the most it has been outside. Not that I wouldn't like to keep it under cover, but right now I just haven't spent the money to build a barn. Both my truck and car sit outside all the time as well.

I do have one thing that has only been outside a couple of nights. Thats the Cub Cadet I bought new back in '89. I dont wax or wash it, but it just doesn't sit outside. The again it's small enough to fit in the little utility shed I have.

Wedge

Try leaving the truck and car for the whole winter without being run and see how they do. Part of the difference is that they get used regularly. We had a vehicle years back which had to sit all winter because of a tranny issue which we couldn't get fixed until spring. It molded inside after sitting for a few months and took a lot of work to get all the mold out of it.

My tractor is a 1980, but I try hard not to let it sit out in the weather when I'm not using it. I'm not worried about rust or fading, but the moisture can't be good for the starter or guages. If I ran it every day like I do my car, I wouldn't be as concerned. Especially if it had a cab.

 

[JJT]

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.

It sounds like you have a garage, leave the car outside and park the tractor inside.

 

[Don87]

It sounds like you have a garage, leave the car outside and park the tractor inside.

My car and pickup are both outside.

My Massey(and my former Cub Cadet), will stay in the garage............as well as all the attachments that I can fit into my 1 1/2 car garage.

P.S. My old Cub that I had spent 3 nights outside in 14 years. I've had My Massey since May of last year.......been in the garage every night.

Edit: The last night that my Cub was left outside.......it rained(wife left it out). Next 3 winters, the choke cable froze up when it got cold out.............never could get the water out of that cable.

 

[RoyJackson]

It sounds like you have a garage, leave the car outside and park the tractor inside.

That's what I do. That's to prevent theft as well as preserve the tractor.

 

[bigbull338]

you cant prevent theft if they want it bad enough.i know a guy that had his tractor locked in his barn,an it got stole.his gate to pasture was locked as well.so they took it off the hinges.drove in cut the chain to the barn loaded tractor drove out put gate back on hinges.

 

[RoyJackson]

you cant prevent theft if they want it bad enough.

No, you can't...but no sense in making it easy for them. Plus, a charge of breaking and entering (on top of the equipment theft) might deter them.
But I'm not as concerned about professional thieves as a casual "theft of opportunity" by a couple local punks.
Plus, there's the 12 gauge or AR-15 they'd have to contend with...(and the ever present Glock 19).

 

[wedge40]

Try leaving the truck and car for the whole winter without being run and see how they do. Part of the difference is that they get used regularly.

Had a Cougar that sat for over 2 years. Needed a coil pak. Finally told a guy at work that he could have it all he had to do was haul it away. He came out one day I handed him the keys and it fired right up. No mice had invaded it and the inside wasn't moldy. He even drove it onto the trailer.
My truck has sat out for a few months without ever being turned over and I've had the same tank of gas for over 5 months. Still ran fine.
Not everybody has the luxury of being able to put everything they own under roof.

Wedge

 

[wvpolekat]

Had a Cougar that sat for over 2 years. Needed a coil pak. Finally told a guy at work that he could have it all he had to do was haul it away. He came out one day I handed him the keys and it fired right up. No mice had invaded it and the inside wasn't moldy. He even drove it onto the trailer.
My truck has sat out for a few months without ever being turned over and I've had the same tank of gas for over 5 months. Still ran fine.
Not everybody has the luxury of being able to put everything they own under roof.

Wedge

X2. My tractor does have the luxury of staying inside, but my car and my truck stay outside all the time and the truck rarely moves in the winter. Never seen any mold or anything like it.

 

[dcyrilc]

X2. My tractor does have the luxury of staying inside, but my car and my truck stay outside all the time and the truck rarely moves in the winter. Never seen any mold or anything like it.

Probably a climate issue. We rain almost all winter long. This was a 55 gallon aquarium my son sat here around Halloween. The pic was taken on Jan 17th. When I looked at it today, it was about 1/4" from the top.:confused2: