Keeping implements outside..keep away rust?

[Rob 80]

I've got a 3 point snowblower and kubota blade taking up space in my garage, i have been thinking about moving them outside and put a tarp around them with some straps and blocks to stop the wind from getting under it. I'm not worried about theft more so about rust and what the weather will do to them over time. The blade should have no issues since there is no moving parts really maybe put some 2x4 under them so they don't touch the ground as well or spry them with WD40 before i cover them up

Any tips?

 

[wagne223]

Tarps hold moisture in and dont allow any air movement to dry.

If you use a tarp, it needs to be like a canopy over the implement. This keeps rain and sun off but allows air movement.

Personally I just let them sit in the weather.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Weather is not so bad. The sun is the worst and leaves are not great either. Sometimes hard to find shade without the leaves.

 

[s219]

Tarps will need to be loose or tented, otherwise you'll encourage rust. I wouldn't have any concerns leaving a blade outside, but I'd think twice about stuff with bearings and rotating parts -- I'd want those well protected from rain.

 

[fried1765]

I've got a 3 point snowblower and kubota blade taking up space in my garage, i have been thinking about moving them outside and put a tarp around them with some straps and blocks to stop the wind from getting under it. I'm not worried about theft more so about rust and what the weather will do to them over time. The blade should have no issues since there is no moving parts really maybe put some 2x4 under them so they don't touch the ground as well or spry them with WD40 before i cover them up

Any tips?

WD-40 .......NO!
It is a bad joke!

Get a can of LPS-3 at NAPA.
It has a mil. spec. for corrosion protection.
Good stuff!
Better than Fluid Film for outdoor protection.

 

[MHarryE]

Much of my large heavy equipment sits in the snow. Tractors, combine, grain heads, grain drill, things with lighter metal with pockets that hold water go inside. I’d keep the snow blower inside and blade outside.

 

[Industrial Toys]

If equipment does not see salt, rain and snow isn't so bad.

 

[oosik]

All my equipment, with no moving parts, sits on pallets out in the orchard. If I were really concerned about a little rust - steel wool and a rattle can of black spray paint. My Wally chipper sits in one bay of my carport along with my riding mower.

Its been this way for the 37+ years I've been out here. Hasn't hurt or damaged a thing.

BTW - the tractor with 3-point rear blade & grapple sit is one stall of the carport also.

 

[dragoneggs]

All my equipment, with no moving parts, sits on pallets out in the orchard. If I were really concerned about a little rust - steel wool and a rattle can of black spray paint. My Wally chipper sits in one bay of my carport along with my riding mower.

Its been this way for the 37+ years I've been out here. Hasn't hurt or damaged a thing.

BTW - the tractor with 3-point rear blade & grapple sit is one stall of the carport also.

Come live on this side of the mountains and you be using that steel wool and a rattle can of tan on yourself.

 

[oosik]

Hey, easyyy there DE. This entire fall and winter reminds me of the five years I spent in college in Seattle. Right now - 28F but 93% relative humidity. Man - this cold and HUMIDITY sinks deep into the old bones. I feel like a popsicle.

 

[4570Man]

I don’t like equipment sitting outside but I don’t mind so much for the attachments to sit outside. Keep the bare metal with the exception of the ground engagement parts painted and it’ll never rust out in one lifetime. The paint will fade but that’s not a big problem either. You could always invest in a prefab carport or consider adding a lean to one of your existing buildings.

 

[Rob 80]

The tarp was only to keep them kubota orange maybe one with air vents for the wind to pass. Trouble is i want to buy a grass bagger and they look to take up a ton space.....since it never snows anymore all i get to do is cut the grass.

 

[HillStreet]

You should grease and fluid film the blower if you leave it outside. With a tarp you will draw all kinds of critters.

 

[Tony H]

I have a portable garage that covers my stuff. When I pack the summer stuff away for the winter I by Plastic painting tarps ( Walmart) and lay those on the ground. Amazing how much moisture gets captured that would otherwise rise up from the bare ground under the equipment.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Not a fan of tarps. Most of my "stuff" is in the dry. Right now my 10 foot cutter is out in the open. I removed all the debris and sprayed it down with fluid film. I started using it years ago and it works good for me.

 

[shooterdon]

I would store the blower inside or under a cover. I have a blade and rake that were stored outside for thirty years and they work fine. The rototiller, mmm. and brush hog look like crap but still work. Now that I own them I store them inside. A big reason is that I have my attachments on dollies to make them easy to move around and attach.

Looking at adding a carport for storing tractor, and firewood. If I put my attachments under the carport I would need to get a quick hitch as I do not plan to put a cement pad in.

As others noted, spraying with a rust preventative is a smart thing to do in any case.

 

[RGAZ]

To support the consensus...

Not WD40 and not a tight tarp.

I spray with White Lithium grease for basic rust prevention but you get the idea.
I set all my gear on 2" of gravel minimum or a wood pallet/crate if it has to be outside.
Otherwise, I stuff it in the empty stall of my barn and let the cat hunt around it.

South Carolina is pretty easy on equipment if its properly coated (other than UV).

RGAZ

 

[Jchonline]

Off the earth, LPS-3 protectant on non painted parts before the winter. I do plan on building a lean to, but with the wind in my area it is more of a challenge. Airflow is important, keeping rain off as well.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Why are tarps mostly that hidious blue? Makes a place look unecessarily junky.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

Why are tarps mostly that hidious blue? Makes a place look unecessarily junky.

I use the brown ones. Look a little less "country" but not much...

Not super fond of tarps though. They can hold moisture in, and make it even more comfortable for the varmints. Fortunate enough to be able to park my orange gear under an open shed roof, and generally out of the rain. I do spray the chrome parts with LPS-3 if they're going to sit for very long.

Z.