Storing attachments

FL_Cracker · Jun 16, 2005

I have just traded my L2850 for a new L5030 and purchased several new attachments. I wanted to take better care of attachments this time as they are now all new and top of the line HD models.
Question: What kind of ideas are out their for storing them?

The tractor will stay in the barn and so will the backhoe attachment, but I have a 6' BH, 90"FM, 6' BB, 6' Scrape Blade, Wood Chipper, Fertilizer Spreader, and 6' Grapple. I really don't want to put these out in the open and let the weeds grow up through them. I was thinking about a small low pole barn with all four sides available. This way the tractor can back up and put each item away without having to move anything.

The pole barn would only cost a little of my time and some gravel as I have the wood and poles from timber I cut off the property. I would also use Locust trees for the poles, I have lots of them. I would have to purchase the tin for the roof.

Any thoughts or PICTURES of how you solved the problem

Thanks,
.

Bob_Skurka · Jun 16, 2005

It may be a climate issue, but up here we build them with 3 sizes and a roof. The long closed side is virtually always facing west. Two short closed sides are on the north and the south. The buildings are open on the east side, prevailing winds come from the west, so keeping any driving rain (and in our case sleet, snow & ice) off the implements is accomplished with the closed west wall.

bczoom · Jun 16, 2005

FL,

I/we do like Bob mentioned.

( I was thinking about a small low pole barn with all four sides available. This way the tractor can back up and put each item away without having to move anything. )

When you say small/low, what size were you considering? Where I'm going with this is are you thinking of only being able to back the tractor up to the edge of the building or being able to get under it? The open sides for the latter will need to be high enough to get the ROPS under.

Brian

TonyV · Jun 16, 2005

I've got the same sort of 3 sided setup as well, with the exception that the 'long enlosed wall' is the east side of the pole barn. So if you've already got a barn, then really all you need do is attatch the 2 short walls and build a roof. We've always called these structures "lean to's".

...Tony

FL_Cracker · Jun 16, 2005

Bob, nice drawing, that's what I was thinking. Just not sure if it was an overkill. Now all I need to know is which way the winds usually blow.

Thanks, again.

FL

Bob_Skurka · Jun 16, 2005

Now all I need to know is which way the winds usually blow. 

Hurricanes blow in a circular pattern, don't they? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

FL_Cracker · Jun 16, 2005

Yes, real fast circles......

That's when you want to be under your 5030 hanging on for dear life.

Oh that's right, the tractor is in GA, so just run from them hurricanes and mow grass while they pass.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dargo · Jun 16, 2005

Dang it Bob, you've dun posted a pickature of mah house agin! Whut if ah wuz on tha pot?! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Deerlope · Jun 16, 2005

Around here they are pretty much the same except no peaked roof. About 9'high in front to 6' in the rear, 10 or 12' deep.

Tom_H · Jun 16, 2005

I have a BX2200 and around 11 attachments. I have a 3 car garage and 2 cars, so the BX goes in the smaller bay. Most of the implements are on dollies and get stored in various odd spots in the garage. When it's time to attach/detach implements, the cars go out and the tractor backs around so the 3ph is just inside the bigger bay. The smooth concrete floor makes it very easy to roll implements right up to the 3ph, minor adjustments can be made with ease. The rear blade has a dolly with a vertical post to hold up the front, when time for attachment, but at storage time, I use the electric hoist in the center of the garage to lift the box blade and sit it piggyback on the rough cutter, which sits on its own dolly. The rc then rolls to a corner. The carry-all has mini-casters on its frame which lets the carry-all roll right under the dolly that the rc is on. In only a minute, these implements are stacked 3 high. It only takes a minute to unstack them as well. The dolly for the rear blade weighs maybe 5 lb. and it goes on top of the stack.

Things like tiller, box blade, dirt scoop, etc. all sit solo on one flat dolly each.

The MMM gets little super dollies under each anti-scalp wheel. With the tractor in neutral, both the MMM and tractor are easily maneuvered for quick attach/detach.

At the edge of the garage wall I have a 10' length of galvanized pipe laying perpendicular across the tops of the trusses. Hanging from the center of the pipe is a chain hoist. The pipe allows me to roll the hoist up to the wall or away from it a couple of feet. I use the chain hoist to lift the PHD from the 3ph, roll it to the wall, rotate and lock it to some eye bolts in the wall, same thing in reverse to attach the PHD. It goes on and off in minutes.

With your pole barn, I'd recommend this. Pave the surface with asphalt (cheaper than concrete) so that you can put all implements on dollies. It is so easy and fast when you can roll them. If water can blow in, crown or grade the surface just barely enough that water will flow back out and not stand on the floor. Make the roof support strong enough that you can mount a hoist in the center. If you have power, use elec., if not, use a chain hoist. Not only can you piggyback box blade on rc, you can lift rc, other stuff high enough to remove/sharpen blades; you can pull an engine if you need to rebuild it, etc. Being able to roll stuff around would mean that you could enclose 3 sides and put 1 large door on the leeward side. With it closed up and a solid surface, things would stay dry and there'd be no weeds for sure.

With all you've invested in this equipment, it will not be that much more to do this. The asphalt will cost a bit, but I built my dollies with scrap wood, a few screws, and cheap casters from Northern. The hoists were on sale at Harbor Freight; the chain hoist was $40 and the elec. $50 or so. When I was young, manhandling heavy stuff was kinda fun. In my 50's now, my back ain't so forgivin' any more (fingers either for that matter). The time and exertion saved with dollies on a smooth floor is a godsend.

Hope these thoughts help a little. Good Luck.